Policy

Amateur Radio Operator (HAM) Plates may be issued to clients that maintain a valid Amateur Radio Operator Certificate issued by the Government of Canada.

Plate Configuration

Amateur Radio Operator (HAM) Plates must bear the Amateur Radio Operator's call sign as displayed on their Amateur Radio Operator Certificate issued by the Government of Canada. Canadian Amateur Radio Operator's call signs have a national prefix consisting of two letters and a number, followed by a two or three letter suffix e.g., VA6AB, VE6ABC.

Clients may order personalized veterans’ plates displaying their Amateur Radio Operator call letters, providing there are only four characters. For registration requirement information see 4.45.08 Veterans’ Plates.

Note: 
Amateur Radio Operator call signs cannot be altered to accommodate a veterans' personalized licence plate for the 3-pass or 2-58 registration plate class (maximum five characters) and/or a veterans' personalized motorcycle registration plate class (maximum four characters).

Registration Requirements

A registry agent must:

• Update the client file with the ham attribute when the client provides a valid Amateur Radio Operator Certificate issued by the Government of Canada.

A client must provide the registration requirements for the plate class in which the vehicle is registered. See the appropriate registration class section for details. E.g., 3-pass, 2-59, etc.

Note:
HAM Plates must not be issued for trailer registration.

Previously Issued Call Letters

 To issue previously issued Amateur Radio Operator (HAM) Plates:

• Ensure the Amateur Radio Operator Certificate issued by the Government of Canada is in the new client’s name. 
• Ensure the previously owned plates have been inactive for one year or more.
• Email Motor Vehicles to cancel the HAM Plate in the previous owner’s name.

Defective

Defective HAM Plates must be surrendered by the client and reordered by Motor Vehicles.

Lost or Stolen HAM Plates

It is strongly recommended that lost or stolen HAM plates be reported to law enforcement; however, it is not a mandatory requirement for motor vehicle services.

A registry agent must advise the client that should they choose to reorder or continue to use a plate that has been lost or stolen, the client may be held responsible for any incidents and / or fines incurred against that plate. Once a licence plate has been reported as lost or stolen to law enforcement, it is strongly recommended that the client discontinue use of the plate on their vehicle.

Reorder

To replace HAM Plates:

• Complete a no charge (no government fee or registry agent service charge) exchange service exchanging the Amateur Radio Operator (HAM) Plate for a licence plate of the appropriate plate class.
  • Record the reason for the no charge service on the application.
• Reorder the Amateur Radio Operator (HAM) Plate.

Registration Fees

For Amateur Radio Operator (HAM) Plate fees, see the Registry Agent Product Catalogue (pdf).

Registry Agent Service Fee Reimbursement

Alberta Registries will reimburse the registry agent service charge for the above no charge plate exchange service.  Registry agents must submit their service fee reimbursement requests to Motor Vehicles along with a photocopy of the no charge plate exchange application.

Imaging

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

Date Originally Issued: Nov 14, 1989
Date Last Revised: Jan 19, 2022