Alberta new drivers’ checklist

Did you know that within ninety days of relocating to Alberta, you must register your car under an Alberta license plate?

Whether you are a new driver, just bought a new vehicle or recently moved, it’s important to take the proper steps for purchasing, insuring and registering your vehicle within the province of Alberta.

In this post, we’ll break down everything you need to know about registering a vehicle in Alberta.

Proof of ownership

To register your vehicle for the first time, you will need to provide proof of ownership such as a lease agreement, bill of sale or probated will. This will be required for your insurance as well as vehicle registration.

Insurance coverages

In Alberta, auto insurance includes several key types of coverage, including:

Third-Party Liability: This is a mandatory coverage that protects you if you’re found at fault in an accident that causes injury or property damage to others. The minimum required is $200,000. At Acera, we recommend a minimum of $2 million liability coverage.
Accident Benefits: This covers medical expenses, rehabilitation, and income replacement if you’re injured in an accident, regardless of who is at fault.
Collision Coverage: This optional coverage pays for damages to your vehicle resulting from a collision, regardless of fault.
Comprehensive Coverage: Also optional, this protects against non-collision events, such as theft, vandalism, fire, or damage from natural disasters

Proof of insurance

A pink slip, which is often referred to as a pink card, insurance card, liability card or proof of insurance card, serves as proof of insurance for your vehicle, demonstrating that you have the minimum amount of liability insurance required to legally drive in Alberta.

Your pink slip has important insurance information that you need readily available in the event of an accident. It is necessary for registering your vehicle and you should always carry your pink slip with you when driving. Most insurers now provide pink slips digitally or in hard copy form depending on your preference. Your pink slip will usually contain:

Your name and address
Your policy number and name of your insurance company
The year and make of your vehicle
The start and expiry date of your policy

Identification

Bring at least one piece of valid government-issued photo ID with you to the registration office. This could be:

an Alberta driver’s license
a Canadian passport
an Alberta Identification Card

The name on the ID should match the proof of ownership and insurance documents that you provide to the registry agent. If the names do not match, you may need to provide additional proof of your name change, such as a marriage certificate.

Vehicle inspections

A vehicle inspection is necessary before the car can be registered in Alberta if it is being brought in from outside the province. This ensures the vehicle’s compliance with Alberta’s safety and equipment requirements.

To complete an out-of-province inspection:

Verify the status of the vehicle by purchasing a ‘Request a Vehicle Inspection Form’ at any Alberta registry.
Get the vehicle inspected at a licensed site. You can find a list of approved motor vehicle inspection facilities by clicking here.
If your vehicle fails the inspection, complete any necessary repairs within 10 days of the original inspection.
Once the vehicle completes and passes inspection, you will be provided with an Out of Province Vehicle Inspection Certificate and a Record of Inspection. You must present the Certificate of Inspection to an Alberta registry agent within 14 days of the completed inspection.

A vehicle inspection may be required for any Albertan vehicle older than 12 years to identify any maintenance needs and confirm it meets safety standards. You will only need to provide your Acera Insurance advisor or insurance company with the inspection report, not the registry office.

Final steps to registering a vehicle in Alberta

Once you have proof of ownership, a pink card, a current piece of government-issued photo ID, and a completed vehicle inspection (when necessary), you are now ready to visit a registry. After reviewing and approving all your documents, your vehicle will be registered, and a license plate will be issued.

You’re officially ready to hit the road!

How we can help

Our Acera Insurance advisors can answer any questions about the necessary documentation you will need to register your vehicle.

If you would like to purchase auto insurance, we provide quotes in person, over the phone, or via our online questionnaire. Our team partners with leading insurance companies to bring you the coverage that’s the perfect fit for your needs.

To obtain a quote, our advisors will need:

Your driver’s license number
A history of traffic tickets and/or accidents (including those from another province or country)
Your vehicle’s make, model and vehicle identification number