In Canada, vehicle registration is a provincial matter, so the exact cycle, cost, and process depend on where your car is plated. The good news: the essentials are consistent — keep your registration current, carry mandatory insurance, and renew before the deadline. Here’s how it works and what’s changed lately.
Registration is provincial
Your province or territory runs registration through its own licensing body — ServiceOntario, Alberta’s registry agents, ICBC in British Columbia, the SAAQ in Quebec, and so on. Most renew every one or two years, often on a date tied to your birthday or purchase date. Because there’s no national deadline, the only date that matters is the one on your renewal notice.
Plate stickers are going away
A big recent shift: several provinces have scrapped the annual licence-plate sticker. Ontario eliminated stickers (and the renewal fee for passenger vehicles) in 2022, Alberta dropped expiry stickers in 2021, and BC no longer uses them either. You still have to keep the registration itself current — the sticker is gone, the obligation isn’t. Ontario now even auto-renews eligible plates about 90 days before expiry, provided you have valid insurance and no unpaid fines.
Insurance is mandatory everywhere
Every province requires valid auto insurance to register or renew. In BC, registration and basic insurance are bundled together through ICBC, so you handle both at once. Elsewhere they’re separate, but you still can’t legally register an uninsured car.
What it costs
Because fees are provincial, the range is wide. Some provinces (like Ontario for passenger vehicles) have removed the renewal fee entirely, while others charge an annual amount that can run from a modest fee to a few hundred dollars — roughly C$50–C$150+ (about US$35–105, ~₱2,150–6,500 at ≈C$1 = US$0.71 and ≈₱61 = US$1) depending on the province and vehicle. Always check your provincial licensing body for the exact figure.
Late renewal
Even where stickers are gone, driving on a lapsed registration can bring a ticket, and letting insurance lapse is far more serious. The provinces that auto-renew only do so if your insurance is valid — so an unpaid premium can quietly stop your registration too. Our universal guide to never missing a registration or insurance renewal shows how to stay ahead.
How to never miss it
With stickers disappearing, the old visual reminder on your plate is gone — which makes an actual calendar reminder more important, not less. The reliable fix is one tied to your own renewal (and insurance) date, with enough lead time.
That’s exactly what Kotselog does: enter your registration and insurance dates once and it reminds you early — wherever you drive. See how it plays out in the USA or UK too. Set it up on the registration renewal feature, or open the app and add your vehicle.
Registration rules, fees, and sticker policies vary by province and change over time — always confirm current requirements with your provincial or territorial licensing body.
Frequently asked questions
How often do you renew vehicle registration in Canada?
It's set by your province — most require renewal every one or two years, on a date often tied to your birthday or purchase date. Your provincial licensing body (e.g. ServiceOntario, Alberta registries, ICBC in BC) sets the cycle and sends a reminder.
Do I still need a plate sticker?
In several provinces, no. Ontario (2022), Alberta (2021) and BC have dropped licence-plate stickers, but you still must keep the underlying registration current. Some provinces even auto-renew if your insurance is valid and you have no unpaid fines.
Is insurance required to register a car in Canada?
Yes — valid auto insurance is mandatory to register or renew a vehicle in every province. In BC, registration and basic insurance are bundled together through ICBC.
How Kotselog helps: Know when your vehicle registration is due — wherever you drive — and renew before the deadline. See the registration feature →
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