OUT OF PROVINCE (BROUGHT FROM WITHIN CANADA)

WHAT YOU NEED TO REGISTER YOUR OUT-OF-PROVINCE VEHICLE (AND GET ALBERTA LICENCE PLATES)

Out of Province Vehicle Inspection Certificate (from a mechanic authorized to complete Alberta inspections)
Alberta Auto Insurance
Proof of Ownership
Alberta Photo ID

OUT OF PROVINCE VEHICLE INSPECTION

An Out of Province Vehicle Inspection is needed before you register your vehicle in Alberta.

Step 1: Purchase an Out of Province Vehicle Inspection Request form from our registry (you will take this form to the mechanic performing the inspection). You require proof of ownership of the vehicle (bill of sale or lease documents).

Step 2: Contact an authorized mechanic for an appointment and provide them the out of province inspection form at time of inspection. Find a vehicle inspection center near you. Make sure you select Out of Province inspection, not Commercial or Salvage inspections.

Step 3: Once completed (and the vehicle passes inspection) the mechanic will give you the Out of Province Vehicle Inspection Certificate. The certificate is valid for only 14 days from the date shown under Date of Completion. Do not delay bringing it into our registry so that we can enter into the Alberta Motor Vehicle system.

INSPECTION EXCEPTIONS

You do not require an Alberta Out of Province inspection for a trailer or off-highway vehicle.

You may not require an Alberta inspection for a passenger vehicle that meets the following criteria:

New Vehicles (from within Canada)

Bill of Sale or Lease dated within 90 days and
Mileage under 5000 km

Used Vehicles from within Canada

Government Inspection within 90 days from another Canadian jurisdiction, for commercial vehicles only. For other exceptions, please visit here

Along with the information above, your vehicle must also be present at time of registration in order to have the serial number physically verified.

OUT OF PROVINCE (BROUGHT FROM OUTSIDE CANADA)

WHAT YOU NEED TO REGISTER YOUR OUT-OF-COUNTRY VEHICLE (AND GET ALBERTA LICENCE PLATES)

Registrar of Imported Vehicle (RIV) Vehicle Import Form
Out of Province Vehicle Inspection Certificate (from a mechanic authorized to complete Alberta inspections)
Alberta Auto Insurance
Proof of Ownership
Personal Identification

IMPORT FORM 1

When you enter Canada, the Canadian Border Services Agency will provide you with a Vehicle Import Form – Form 1. Keep this form in your vehicle until it is licenced as you may be asked to show it if stopped by a police officer.

REGISTRAR OF IMPORTED VEHICLES (RIV) INSPECTION

Once you have paid the required RIV fee online, the RIV will forward you an inspection form by e-mail, fax, or postal mail – depending on the communication method you have requested.
This inspection form will contain all the information you will need to determine exactly what modifications will be needed to pass the RIV inspection.
If modifications are required, you will need to have them done and inspected at a federal inspection location.

Once your vehicle has passed the federal inspection, the inspection center will stamp your Vehicle Import Form – Form 1.

The Form 1 document must have 2 stamps:

At the top from the Canadian Border Services Office stamped at the border
In either section 16 or 17 stamped at the federal inspection location that your vehicle was inspected at (eg. Canadian Tire)

Approximately 1 week after successfully passing the federal inspection, the Registrar of Imported Vehicles will send you a Canadian certification label with instructions on where to attach it to your vehicle.

For additional information about this process, visit the Registrar of Imported Vehicles.

INSPECTION EXCEPTIONS

You do not require an Alberta Out of Province inspection for a trailer or off-highway vehicle.

You may not require an Alberta inspection for a passenger vehicle that meets the following criteria:

New Vehicles (from outside Canada)

Bill of Sale or Lease dated within 90 days
Original Certificate of Origin or State issued title
Form 1 import form obtained at time of import into Canada
Mileage under 5000 km or 3107 miles
The vehicle must be physically present at a registry in order to inspect the VIN number

Along with the information above, your vehicle must also be present at time of registration in order to have the serial number physically verified.