Expired: Alberta removes licence plate stickers

Drivers take note: Starting Jan. 1, Albertans will no longer require expiry stickers on their licence plates as the province moves toward adopting reflective plates.

Due to advances in technology, stickers marking the month and year of registration, as well as stickers for fleet vehicles and permanent trailers, will no longer be issued in 2021.

“By moving to reflective licence plates, expiry stickers become redundant and outdated. The change aligns Alberta with other Canadian provinces, and saves taxpayers money," said Nate Glubish, Minister of Service Alberta.

In fall 2021, Alberta will transition to high-definition reflective licence plates. The reflective plates are more easily scanned by automated licence plate readers, which will assist law enforcement agencies using that technology to validate licence plate registration at roadside.

Alberta drivers and vehicle owners will still be responsible for renewing their registration on time, and will still require a valid certificate of vehicle registration. As well, stickers will still be required for farm vehicles and prorated commercial vehicles participating in the International Registration Plan.

Reflective plates will be issued on a go-forward basis after the current stock of painted licence plates runs out in the fall. Other provinces that have already eliminated the use of expiry stickers on license plates are Quebec, Saskatchewan, NWT and Manitoba.

Alberta first required registration expiry dates to be visible on Alberta licence plates in 1974. For the over 5.5 million vehicles registered in Alberta, the government currently spends about $1.2 million per year to print, ship and store expiry stickers for licence plates. 

With no stickers to serve as a renewal reminder, Albertans can sign up to receive an electronic renewal notice through a registry agent, the Alberta Motor Association, or MyAlberta eServices. Expiry months are as follows:

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