4.45.02 Dealer Plates

Policy

Dealer licence plates are issued to:

  • Manufacturers of motor vehicles.
  • Dealers of motor vehicles.
  • Clients engaged in the business of servicing motor vehicles.

Note:
Dealer plates cannot be issued to an AMVIC licenced salesperson. If the AMVIC licence states they are registered as an “Automotive Salesperson” they cannot be issued dealer plates. 
All dealer plates must be issued under the name of the AMVIC licenced dealership’s MVID for manufacturers and dealers in motor vehicles. The name of the dealer or manufacturer must be the same on the AMVIC licence and the garage policy insurance.

If the salesperson is exempt from requiring an AMVIC licence (see requirements for specific types of dealers below), a dealer plate may be issued in their personal name.

A dealer licence plate is affixed to a vehicle which is:

  • Kept for sale by a manufacturer or dealer.
  • Used by manufacturers, dealers or their employees/agents for:
    • Testing.
    • Servicing.
    • Personal use for promotional purposes by dealer's or employee's family members.
  • Used by a purchaser or prospective purchaser to drive the vehicle with the dealer's plate without the dealer or employee being present.
  • Not for hire.
  • Not carrying freight other than goods that are the property of the vehicle owner or the employee/agent using the vehicle for personal use.

Types of Dealers

Servicing Dealer (dlr00)

  • Engaged in a servicing business related to vehicle operation.
    • Repairing vehicles.
    • Servicing vehicles.
    • Recycling and dismantling vehicles.
    • Installing parts or equipment in vehicles such as anti theft systems, stereos, and audio-visual and modification kits.
  • AMVIC licence is required.

Exemption

There are wide ranges of servicing dealer businesses that provide automotive services that qualify for dealer plates but are not required to be licensed by AMVIC. Some examples include:

  • Cleaning business.
  • Polishing / waxing business.
  • Detailing business.
  • Painting business.
  • Undercoating / rust proofing business.
  • Upholstery repair business.
  • Auto hauling/transporting business.
    • Prior to issuing the dealer plate(s), the auto hauling/transporting business must provide the registry agent with a letter, on company letterhead, indicating the nature of their business, the number of dealer plate(s) requested and the rationale for the request.
    • The registry agent must ensure the client meets all registration requirements.
      • The registry agent must add the “dealer” attribute to the client file.
      • The letter must be used as support a document at the time of issuing the dealer plate(s).

Wholesale Dealer (dlr00)

  • Coordinates the buying and selling of motor vehicles, on a wholesale basis, between other retail/wholesale automotive dealers. 
  • AMVIC licence is required.

Retail Automotive Dealer (dlr91)

  • Buys and sells vehicles to and from the general public.
  • AMVIC licence is required.

Motorcycle Dealer (dlr93n) or formerly (dlr93)

  • A manufacturer of, or dealer in motorcycles, or a person engaged in the business of servicing motorcycles.  
  • AMVIC licence is not required.

Trailer Dealer (dlr94)

  • A manufacturer of, or dealer in trailers, or a person engaged in the business of servicing trailers. 
  • AMVIC licence is not required.

Recreation Dealer (dlr94)

  • Dealers of recreational vehicles intended to be towed that combines transportation and temporary living accommodations for the purpose of travel or camping.
  • AMVIC licence is required.

Off-highway Dealer (dlr95n) or formerly (dlr95)

  • A manufacturer of, or dealer in off-highway vehicles, or a person engaged in the business of servicing off-highway vehicles.
  • AMVIC licence is not required.

Client Attribute

A dealer attribute will be added to a client file once the client provides proof of the dealer’s trade/business licence.

Registration Requirements

A client must provide the following:

  • Acceptable identification; see 2.05.02 Acceptable Identification/ Enrolment.
  • Proof of insurance; see 4.00.02 Insurance Documents.
    • Garage Insurance Policy is required for retail automotive, wholesale, servicing (including auto hauling/transporting businesses), motorcycle and off-highway dealers.
    • Trailer dealers do not require insurance.
  • An Alberta address; see 2.10.01 Address & Acceptable Abbreviations.
  • A valid Alberta Municipal Business Licence identifying the type of business operation is required for:
    • Retail automotive dealers.
    • Wholesale dealers.
    • Servicing dealers.
      • Auto hauling/transporting as the primary business.
    • Motorcycle dealers.
    • Trailer dealers.
    • Off-highway dealers.

Note:
A valid AMVIC licence (when applicable) and Alberta Municipal Business Licence must be produced when applying for and renewing dealer plates. A registry agent must confirm a client’s AMVIC licence by completing a search on the AMVIC website at: https://amvic.ca.thentiacloud.net/webs/amvic/register/#

Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council (AMVIC)

Client inquiries for Retail Automotive, Wholesale, Trailer or Servicing Dealer licensing must be referred to:

Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council (AMVIC)
Suite 303, 9945-50 Street
Edmonton, Alberta. T6A 0L4
Office Phone: 780 466-1140, Fax: 780 462-0633
Toll Free Number: 1-877- 979-8100
http://www.amvic.org/

A client’s AMVIC licence may be confirmed on the above website.

Registration Fees

For dealer licence plate fees; see the Registry Agent Product Catalogue (pdf).

Imaging

The signed application form must be sent for imaging; see the appropriate sub-section in 1.15 Imaging.


Date Originally Issued: Nov 14, 1989
Date Last Revised: Jun 15, 2021