Glossary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
AALS
An acronym for Alberta Administrative Licence Suspension Program.
Act
An Act generally creates the guidelines for one or more regulations. An example of this is the Traffic Safety Act. The Traffic Safety Act creates the framework for several regulations such as the Operator Licensing and Vehicle Control Regulation.
Adult
Is an individual who is 18 years of age or older.
Adult Interdependent Partner
A person is the adult interdependent partner of another person if the person has lived with the other person in a relationship of interdependence:
- For a continuous period of not less than 3 years, or
- Of some permanence, if there is a child of the relationship by birth or adoption, or
- The person has entered into an adult interdependent partner agreement with the other person.
Persons who are related to each other by blood or adoption may only become adult interdependent partners of each other by entering into an adult interdependent partner agreement. A person cannot at any time have more than one adult interdependent partner. A married person cannot become an adult interdependent partner while living with his or her spouse. This definition excludes former adult interdependent partners. See the Adult Interdependent Relationships Act for more information.
Affidavit
A written statement sworn (affirmed) to be true.
Air Brakes
An air brake vehicle is where the vehicle’s braking system is initiated by air pressure obtained from an engine-driven compressor and transmits the pressure through a series of hoses, reservoirs and control valves to all the vehicle’s foundation brakes.
Alberta Motor Transport Association
An association which promotes injury reduction in the Alberta trucking industry.
Alberta Transportation Safety Board (ATSB)
Is a quasi-judicial board which serves primarily as an appeal body and which is granted the authority under legislation to grant or refuse a carrier’s Operating Authority, a Safety Fitness Certificate, permits and driver’s licence privileges. ATSB was dissolved at the end of business on March 30, 2021.
Alert
Is placed on a client’s file when circumstances require that a message be accessible for other registry agents and their staff members.
Alias
An alias client shall be established, when two or more client files for the same client exist in error.
Ambulance
An emergency vehicle that is designed for the transportation of injured persons and is equipped with rescue or first aid equipment.
AMTA
An acronym for Alberta Motor Transport Association.
AMVIR
An acronym for Access to Motor Vehicle Regulation.
Antique Vehicles
Antique vehicles must be at least 25 year old.
APLPERS
This is an acronym for the inventory item name for personalized plates.
Applicant
Applicant is an individual who makes application for a Motor Vehicle service at a Registry Agent office.
Assumed Name
This is a given name or last name that is recognized through usage. E.g. the proper name is William, through usage the individual is known as Bill; there Bill is an assumed name.
ATSB
An acronym for Alberta Transportation Safety Board.
Attribute
Client attributes are added to a client file when the client has met all operator/vehicle registration licensing requirements. Attributes allow clients to have reduced fees and/or specialized services.
Auditor
An individual(s) authorized to examine and verify accounts.
Axle
Means one or more shafts on which two or more wheels revolve.
B
Backout
Payment/service transaction is a backout of a financial envelope.
BOS
An acronym for bill of sale.
C
Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators
A joint provincial, territorial and federal organization that coordinates motor vehicle transportation and highway safety matters, the group also includes representatives from the trucking industry and from public safety organizations.
Canadian Reciprocal Licensing
An operator’s licence issued anywhere in Canada is accepted for an Alberta licence exchange due to a reciprocal agreement between the jurisdictions or territories.
Cancel
Service cancelled at the request of the applicant or entry clerk.
Carrier
A person or corporation who is the registered owner, leases or is responsible for the operation of a commercial vehicle in respect of which a certificate is issued or who holds or is required to hold a certificate.
Carrier Number
A number assigned to a commercial carrier and displayed on that carrier’s Safety Fitness Certificate. This is known as the National Safety Code (NSC) number.
Casual Browsing
Is the viewing, printing or use of any information contained on any "Registries Database" that are not a direct result of providing an authorized registry service to a client.
CBSA
An acronym for Canada Border Services Agency.
CCMTA
An acronym for Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators.
Close Out
A close out is completed when a client exchanges a driver’s licence from another Canadian jurisdiction or territories.
Commercial Vehicle Inspection Program
This is a mandatory annual or semi-annual inspection program required for all NSC vehicles. It must be done at an approved facility that checks vehicles for mechanical fitness, a vehicle with a gross weight of 11,794 kilograms or more or a bus originally designed to carry 11 or more passengers cannot be operated on a highway without a valid CVIP inspection.
Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance
This is an inspection of a driver and/or vehicle done at the Vehicle Inspection Stations or on the roadside by Alberta Transportation enforcement staff, RCMP or other police agencies. These inspections are used to check vehicles and drivers for roadworthiness and compliance.
Commodity
A commodity is a type of goods or passengers transported by a carrier.
Condition Codes
Condition code(s) are placed on a driver’s licence when it is determined that the client’s driving privileges require limitations/restrictions.
Concurrent Registration
Exists when a client registers the same vehicle in two different classes and a portion of the two registration periods will co-exist concurrently but the two registrations will expire on different dates.
Consular
Is an official appointed by a government to reside in a foreign country and represent his or her government’s commercial interests and assist its citizens there.
Conviction
Is any violation where the driver is convicted or pleads guilty in court to an offence.
Counter Mode
Motor vehicle service is currently being processed, client is present and the money is collected.
Copies
Scanned/emailed, faxed and photocopied versions of an original paper document; includes documents that contain original signature(s).
CSRST
An acronym for Carrier Service Manual Restriction of Service.
CVIP
An acronym for Commercial Vehicle Inspection Program.
CVSA Inspection
An acronym for Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance.
D
DACMU
An acronym for Data Access and Contract Management Unit.
Dangerous Goods
A product substance or organism by its nature or by a regulation that is dangerous to human life, human health, or property or the environment.
decl
An acronym for statutory declaration.
Defective
Having a defect or flaw that is not a result of misuse.
Dependent
A client less than 18 years of age who is not married or self-sufficient.
DFM
An acronym for Driver Fitness and Monitoring.
E
Electronic copies
Documents that have been created electronically without ever having been printed and contain no original signatures; includes documents that contain electronic signature(s).
Endorsement
An endorsement code is placed on a client’s driver’s licence when proof is produced indicating that the client has completed and passed a airbrake, school bus or driver education course.
Expiry Term
Establishes the period of time for which a driver’s licence is issued to a client based on the client’s licence class, age and health.
Extra Provincial Carrier
Is a commercial carrier that has crossed a provincial or international border on at least one occasion.
F
Federal Carrier
Is a carrier with a Federal Operating Status.
FINF
An acronym for Overdue Fines – moving violations.
FINP
An acronym for Overdue Fines - non-moving violation fine(s).
G
Garage Insurance Policy
Insurance policy covering all vehicles owned and operated by a company.
GDL
An acronym for Graduated Driver Licensing.
Graduated Driver Licence
Is a program that will ensure new drivers, regardless of age, get the support, skills and experience they need to handle the complex task of driving.
GST
An acronym for Goods and Services Tax.
GVW
An acronym for gross vehicle weight.
H
I
ID
An acronym for Identification Card.
Identification Card
Identification cards are issued to clients for ID purposes only.
Ignition Interlock Program
Allows a client who has lost their driver’s licence through an impaired driving conviction, to gain driving privileges with conditions.
Immediate Family
Immediate family members, this includes mother, father, brother, sister, son, daughter, spouse, common-law spouse, and in-laws.
IRS: FAIL
An acronym for the Immediate Roadside Sanctions (IRS) Program of IRS: FAIL.
IRS: WARN
An acronym for the Immediate Roadside Sanctions (IRS) Program of IRS: WARN.
IRS ZERO: Commercial
An acronym for the Immediate Roadside Sanctions (IRS) Program of IRS ZERO: Commercial.
IRS ZERO: Novice
An acronym for the Immediate Roadside Sanctions (IRS) Program of IRS ZERO: Novice Program.
Insurance
A client is required to provide proof of valid insurance to register a vehicle in Alberta. The insurance company must be licenced to operate in Alberta.
International Driver’s Licence/Permit
Is a translation of a national driver’s licence which allows the motorist to drive in different countries, however valid only with the original driver’s licence.
Intra-Provincial Carrier
An Alberta based carrier which operates exclusively within the borders of Alberta.
Intra-Provincial Transport
An Intra-Provincial carrier is an Alberta carrier that operates a truck, tractor and/or trailer combination that has a registered weight equal to or greater than 11, 794 kilograms and buses with a seating capacity of 11 or more, including the driver exclusively in Alberta.
IRE
An acronym for Interprovincial Record Exchange.
J
Joint Client
Is created for a minimum of 2 to a maximum of 16 clients who wish to register a vehicle jointly in their names.
JPRG
An acronym for the Joint Policy Review Group. The JPRG is a tri-party working group with representation from the Association of Alberta Registry Agents (AARA), the Alberta Motor Association (AMA) and Service Alberta (SA).
K
KNOW PMT
An acronym for knowledge test permit.
L
Legal Judgment Suspension
A client’s driver’s licence or vehicle registration(s) may be suspended as a result of a legal judgment arising from a motor vehicle accident.
Lessee
An individual, partnership or corporation having the legal possession and control of a vehicle owned by another under the terms of a lease agreement.
Lessor
An individual, partnership or corporation which under the terms of a lease gives the legal right of possession control of and responsibility for the operation of the vehicle to another individual, partnership, or corporation.
M
Merit Entry
2 or 3 demerits are credited from a client’s driving record if proof can be produced that he/she attended an approved defensive driving course (one eligible for credit every 2 years).
MERST
An acronym for Maintenance Enforcement Restriction.
Minor
A client less than 18 years of age who is not married or self-sufficient.
MNRST
An acronym for Alberta Government Services Manual Restriction.
Motorcycle
A motor vehicle, other than a moped, that is mounted on 2 or 3 wheels and includes those motor vehicles known in the automotive trade as motor cycles and scooters. (As defined in the Traffic Safety Act).
MOVES
An acronym for Motor Vehicles System.
MVID
An acronym for Motor Vehicle Identification Number.
A unique number assigned by MOVES given to a each person/company/organization who has an Alberta driver’s licence or a vehicle(s) registered in Alberta – format 0000-00000.
MVS
An acronym for Motor Vehicle Specialist; they are the contact persons for Motor Vehicle assistance.
N
National Safety Code
A national effort aimed at improving road safety throughout Canada with the implementation of safety standards for the operation of trucks and buses. Persons who must comply with the requirements of the NSC Program must follow these standards while operating on roadways (including drivers’ hours, safety programs, maintenance program, driver files, dangerous goods, record keeping, cargo securement).
no-comp
Regulation code to override a registry agent service fee.
Notice of Administrative Penalty
A Notice of Administrative Penalty is received by a driver who has committed a contravention under the Traffic Safety Act.
Notice to Report
A Notice to Report (sample) is a letter issued by Driver Fitness and Monitoring that requires a client to:
- Submit a completed medical report.
- Complete a vision screening at a registry agent.
- Undergo a road test with a Licenced Driver Examiner.
- Submit additional medical, vision or support documentation if requested.
NSC
An acronym for National Safety Code.
NTR
An acronym for Notice to Report.
NVIS
An acronym for New Vehicle Information Statement (supplied by manufacturer).
O
ONE WAY
Allocation for one-way prorated rental vehicles.
oopr
An acronym for out of province registration.
Organization Client
An organization client MVID is created for an individual or group of individuals who have formed a company, corporation, association, etc.
Operator Licence
A licence to operate a motor vehicle issued pursuant to the Traffic Safety Act.
Operating Authority Certificate (O/A)
A certificate issued by the Registrar in Alberta authorizing the operation of a commercial vehicle under Part 2 of the Commercial Vehicle Certificate and Insurance Regulation.
P
Parental Consent
All clients under 18 years of age who are not self-supporting or married must have their parent/guardian consent when applying for the first time to register a vehicle in their name, for a driver’s licence or identification card.
Perm Fleet
An acronym for permanent fleet.
Permanent Fleet Program
Clients with 10 or more commercial vehicles may be eligible to participate in the Permanent Fleet program.
Polk Package
On line software package (VINA) designed to assist in verifying the vehicle identification number and updates the vehicle description.
PRE-GEN
An acronym for pre-generated operator/vehicle renewal transaction.
Probationary Driver
A first time driver is a probationary driver for a period of 2 years, during which time their driving record is monitored.
Prohibition Term
The court ordered portion of the suspension period when the client is suspended for a Criminal Code (Canada) offence.
Primary MVID
An individual or organization record that is not an alias of another client. Record contains client’s demographic information.
Prohibition
Is a court order that prohibits a client from operating any motor vehicle.
Prorate
Co-operative agreements for registering vehicles that travels into two or more jurisdictions.
prrg
An acronym for previous registration.
Q
R
RC
An acronym for Reinstatement Code.
Reinstatement code(s) to be filled prior to a client completing a suspension term.
Reciprocal Agreement Countries
Clients originating from a country that has signed a Reciprocal Licensing Agreement with Alberta may exchange their valid driver’s licence for an Alberta driver’s licence.
Registrar’s Reconsideration Process
An administrative review which provides Albertans a fast, fair, efficient opportunity to reconsider decisions by the Registrar/Director/Railway Administrator under the Traffic Safety Act, the Railway (Alberta) Act, the Dangerous Goods Transportation and Handling Act, and the Highways Development and Protection Act.
Regulation
Rules made by federal, territorial or provincial legislation or by a Minister or government official under the authority of an Act.
Regulation Codes
A MOVES entry field-code which is used on some vehicle registration to modify a fee.
Reinstatement Condition Codes
Conditions that must be filled prior to the client completing a suspension term. E.g. RC 06 – complete a driver examination.
REINSTAT
An acronym for reinstatement of operator’s licence.
Restricted Operator’s Licence Program
Is available to clients who need to drive for employment; health or education reasons while serving a demerit suspension.
S
Safety Fitness Certificate
A document issued by Alberta Transportation once a complete application form is received, indicating that a carrier holds a rating (satisfactory, satisfactory unaudited, conditional or unsatisfactory) under the National Safety Code Program.
SafeRoads Alberta
A branch within Alberta Transportation that has been granted authority under legislation to conduct reviews for impaired driving and vehicle seizures.
Secure Fax Number/Location
Procedures used to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of personal information received and transmitted by fax as outlined in the OIPC Guidelines for Facsimile Transmission on the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner website.
SFC
An acronym for Safety Fitness Certificate.
SIU
An acronym for Special Investigation Unit.
Student
A person who is ordinarily a resident of another province, state or country and has moved to Alberta to attend an educational institution of a full-time basis or is working in Alberta as part of a co-op program of study or internship program.
T
Trailer
A vehicle so designed that it may be attached to or drawn by a motor vehicle or tractor, and is intended to transport property or persons, and includes any vehicle defined by regulation as a trailer but does not include machinery or equipment solely used in the construction or maintenance of highways. (As defined in the Traffic Safety Act)
U
V
VAC
An acronym for vehicle access code (assigned by MOVES).
Valid Driver's Licence
A driver's licence that is not expired.
Vehicle
Other than an off-highway vehicle, means a device in, on or by which a person or thing may be transported or drawn on a highway and includes a combination of vehicles but does not include a mobility aid. (As defined in the Traffic Safety Act)
VIN
An acronym for vehicle identification number (manufacturer assigned).
VOID
A process to make something invalid. E.g. Writing VOID across an operator or vehicle application will make it invalid.
W
X
Y
Z
