Government nixes license plate stickers starting Jan. 1

Alberta’s government first required registration expiry dates to be visible on Alberta licence plates in 1974. 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.

“Alberta’s government has been looking for ways to improve and modernize the delivery of registry services for Albertans,” said Service Alberta Minister Nate Glubish in a release. “By moving to reflective licence plates, expiry stickers become redundant and outdated. This common-sense change cuts red tape, aligns Alberta with other Canadian provinces, and saves taxpayers money.”

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.

Reflective plates will be issued on a go-forward basis after the current stock of painted licence plates runs out in the fall.

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. Albertans can sign up to receive an electronic renewal notice through a registry agent, the Alberta Motor Association, or MyAlberta eServices.