I am the associate publisher of a community newspaper in central Alberta. When this "FordBarn saga" started weeks back I assigned one of my reporters to go to our Alberta Registry office and interview the general manager to get the straight goods on the process or acquiring plates for a vintage vehicle. I'm hopeful his summary, as published in March, 2017, might be helpful, at least to car hobbyists in our neck of the woods. Here goes:
Vintage plates for your classic vehicle
By Murray Green, The Camrose Booster.
After you have restored or repaired an older vehicle you need to decide on your driving habits, where or when you will taking that vehicle on the road.
If you are driving the vehicle like any other that are currently on the road they you simply go to a registry office and complete the paper work.
However, an antique passenger or motorcycle plate is available for vehicles or motorcycles that are 25 years old or more.
“An antique plate can only used as a collector’s item in exhibitions, in club activities, parades, as transportation to and from these events and as transportation to servicing appointments,” said Karen Dammann, manager of Camrose Registry.
“Once you have an antique plate, you don’t have to renew it. You only have to register it once with one fee. That is the good thing about an antique plate.”
To purchase an antique plate, you must provide acceptable identification, the vehicle must be a minimum of 25 years old, if it’s imported you need an import form, have proof of ownership and if the vehicle is from outside Alberta, you have a vehicle inspection.
“If the vehicle is too old to be included the registry system anymore, it would need an out of province inspection, even if it was an Alberta vehicle,” explained Karen. “If the vehicle is not in the system, we would have create it again. We can only create a file if it has an out of province inspection.”
Restoring and registering a vehicle without a serial number can be done. “You would have to get a serial number assigned to that vehicle and the cost is a little over $500 and that is through the Insurance Bureau of Canada. We have forms to fill out to start the process, or they are available on line. That is above what it costs normally to register the vehicle,” she added.
Only approved certified mechanics can perform out of province inspections. Check with your local mechanics for details. Forms are available at the registry office.
