As a first-time car owner, it’s natural for you to celebrate the freedom behind the steering. We all know how it feels to own a vehicle and hit the road. Amidst all the excitement, it’s easy to overlook the mandatory legalities to get your car ready for the road.
First, you need to register a car in Alberta and purchase a car insurance policy. While the insurance experts at Surex can help you find an affordable policy, you might still be in the dark regarding vehicle registration.
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In this article, we will discuss the process you need to complete in order to register a car in Alberta. You will also learn about the documents required and the formalities involved in the process.
What does “register a car in Alberta” mean?
The vehicle’s registration process involves certain formalities that inform the government of Alberta that you have purchased the car. Registering your car officially confirms that the owner has paid all the necessary taxes and fees related to the purchase. In some circumstances, you may have to get your vehicle inspected before registering it.
For instance, if you have purchased a car outside Alberta, an inspection might be necessary.
Why is registering your car crucial in Canada?
Alberta’s Traffic Safety Act, in its subsection (b) of Section 167(1), states that it is mandatory for the owner to register the vehicle before it hits the road. So, you must carry a copy of the vehicle registration in your car every time you use the vehicle.
Just like third-party liability insurance, it’s mandatory to register your car in Alberta before using it. Failing to do so would lead to a fine for violating the established norms of the province. Also, you need to renew the registration from time to time.
How to register a car in Alberta — An in-depth guide for drivers
First-time car owners are often unsure where to approach and what documents they need to register a car in Alberta.
Registering your vehicle in Alberta is easy. Owners can choose from both online and offline modes while registering the car. You can mail the information to the concerned department as well.
So, if you’re wondering what you need to register a car in Alberta, here’s the list of documents for you.
List of documents
- Ownership proof: First, you need to furnish relevant proof of ownership of the vehicle. So be prepared with the bill of sale or lease, inheritance, or gift documents.
- Insurance proof: It’s imperative to purchase your vehicle insurance before you register it. So, reach out to the insurance experts at Surex to purchase the policy at the outset. You must furnish the insurance documents when applying for the vehicle’s registration.
- Identification documents: When you apply for your vehicle’s registration, carry an identification document like your driving license or identity cards issued by the government.
Pay the registration fee
When you ask yourself, “what is needed to register a car in Alberta?”, you also need to consider the registration fee.
- For passenger vehicles, the registration fee is $84.45 for one year.
- If you register the car for two years, you need to pay $159.45.
However, this charge can be different for your vehicle, depending on the nature of your car. For instance, the government charges different registration fees for off-road vehicles and commercial vehicles in Alberta.
Furnish relevant information
When registering your car in Alberta, be prepared to furnish relevant information to the government authorities. For instance, the officials might inquire about the following during the registration process.
- VIN (vehicle identification number)
- Description of the vehicle
- Number and license plate type
For how long can you register your car in Alberta?
You can register a passenger car for a maximum of two years and a minimum of one year. Moreover, the expiry date of the vehicle registration varies from one owner to the next. The government of Alberta determines the expiry date based on the initial alphabet of the individual’s last name.
So, if someone’s last name has the alphabet ‘GR’, it is likely that the registration would expire in August. The month when you registered your car doesn’t matter in these cases.
Unless there’s an exception, the registration charges are the same as the renewal fee.
What are the consequences of not registering your car in Alberta?
Some drivers may think they can get away without registering their cars in Alberta. However, when the law enforcement team pulls you up on the street, they ask for your insurance documents, registration, and driving license.
- Failing to produce a copy of the vehicle registration would invite a traffic ticket of $230.
- If you also fail to produce the insurance and license, the fine will grow by $230 for the absence of each document.
- In case you don’t bother to get your vehicle registered at all, the penalty can be as high as $690.
Considering the adverse consequences of driving without registration, it makes sense to renew it on time. However, driving without registration wouldn’t increase your insurance premiums as it doesn’t result in demerit points.
What is needed to register a car in Alberta? — Endnote
While the fees and costs associated with purchasing your automobile insurance and registration seem overwhelming, there’s a way to ease up your situation. Simply consult one of the reputed insurance experts like Surex for affordable car insurance policies.
Being a first-time car owner, you might also find the premiums higher than usual with most of the insurers in Canada. This is where the insurance experts can help you find affordable and comprehensive coverage for your vehicle. You would benefit from the assistance of insurance professionals since they can help you curtail the premiums significantly.
Once you purchase an affordable insurance policy for your new car, you can proceed with the registration process. An organised approach to handling these formalities after purchasing your new vehicle would ease your responsibilities.
