Motor Vehicle Act Regulations

26/58 O.C. 1004/58 Motor Vehicle Act Motor Vehicle Act Regulations [Last amended April 20, 2026 by B.C. Reg. 59/2026] 26_58_pit 1 Interpretation Interpretation 1 In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires: Act means the Motor Vehicle Act ; air cushion vehicle means a vehicle which is supported on a cushion of air and does not while in motion have firm contact with the ground and which is not a motor vehicle or trailer; all terrain vehicle means a wheeled or tracked vehicle designed primarily for recreational use or for the transportation of property or equipment exclusively on marshland, open country or other unprepared surfaces and includes any trailer attached to the vehicle; antique motor vehicle or antique car means an antique motor vehicle as described in Division 22; associates means friends, acquaintances or invited persons who are not collectively members of a society, organized sport association, religious organization or other group with a common interest; axle means a structure in the same, or approximately the same, transverse plane supported by wheels and on or with which such wheels revolve; backup lamp means a lamp that is capable of displaying a light source that provides illumination behind a vehicle and a visual warning to pedestrians and other drivers when the vehicle is backing up or is about to back up; beam of light means the reflected rays of light which are projected approximately parallel to the optical axis of the reflector; bias ply tire means a pneumatic tire in which the ply cords that extend to the beads are laid at alternate angles substantially less than 90 to the centre line of the tread; camper means a structure designed to be mounted upon a motor vehicle and to provide facilities for human habitation or camping purposes; centre high-mounted stop lamp means a centre mounted lamp, supplemental to a stop lamp, that is capable of displaying red light visible to the rear of a vehicle; CMVSS means the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Canada), as those standards amended from time to time; collector motor vehicle means a collector motor vehicle as defined in Division 22A; daytime running lamp means a lamp used to improve the visibility of a vehicle when the vehicle is viewed from the front in daylight; declaration of completion means a document issued to a student who has successfully completed a mandatory entry-level training course in accordance with section 27.06 (4.1); distance means, with respect to a lamp or illuminating device, the distance as measured from the light source of an unloaded vehicle on a straight, level and unlighted highway under normal atmospheric conditions from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise, unless a different time or condition is expressly stated; driveaway-towaway operation means the transportation of one or more truck chassis by another truck chassis if 2 or more wheels of the towed vehicle or vehicles are in contact with the roadway during transportation; fifth wheel and kingpin means the coupling device of a semitrailer and a truck tractor which permits articulation between the units and which is mounted on the truck tractor and consists of a trunnion, plate and latching mechanism for connection with a metal kingpin mounted on the semitrailer; freight includes personal property of every description that may be conveyed on a motor vehicle or trailer, but does not include a passenger's personal baggage; gross vehicle weight means the aggregate of the net weight of a vehicle and the weight of its load; group of axles means any 2 or more successive axles on a vehicle or combination of vehicles; headlamp means a lamp, mounted on a motor vehicle, that is capable of displaying white light, the rays of which are projected forward, but does not include a spotlamp, cowl lamp, parking lamp, fog lamp, clearance lamp, auxiliary driving lamp or daytime running lamp; height , when used with respect to a lamp or reflector, means the vertical distance as measured from the road surface to the centre of a lamp or reflector of an unloaded vehicle on a level road surface; house trailer means a trailer a which is designed, constructed and equipped for human habitation, or b designed, constructed and equipped for human occupancy for industrial, professional or commercial purposes; licensed vehicle weight means the weight for which a vehicle is licensed; limited speed motorcycle means a motorcycle that a is equipped with a motor having i a piston displacement of not more than 50 cc, or ii a power source that produces a maximum of 1.5 kW, b has a power drive system that does not require clutching or shifting by the operator after the drive system is engaged, c has a maximum attainable speed on level ground, with or without pedals, of 70 km/hr, d has a maximum weight of 95 kg excluding fuel or batteries used to store energy for vehicle propulsion, and e has wheels of a diameter of 254 mm or more; logging truck means a vehicle or combination of vehicles used principally for the transportation of logs; mandatory entry-level training course means a training course set out in section 30.011 of this regulation; metal tire means a tire, or part of the outer circumference of a wheel which comes in contact with the surface of the highway, which is made of metal or other non-resilient material; neighbourhood zero-emission vehicle means a vehicle that travels on 4 wheels and is powered by an electric motor that is designed to allow the vehicle to attain a speed of 32 km/hr but not more than 40 km/hr in a distance of 1.6 km on a paved level surface, and a meets or exceeds standards of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Canada) for a low-speed vehicle and bears a compliance label for a low-speed vehicle in accordance with that Act, or b if imported to Canada, has been imported as an admissible low-speed vehicle in accordance with the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Canada) requirements and i bears a compliance label for a low-speed vehicle in accordance with that Act, or ii meets applicable federal United States laws in accordance with the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Canada); net weight means the weight of a vehicle that is empty except for the maximum capacity of fuel, oil and coolant necessary for its operation; non-scheduled transportation means the transportation, by other than scheduled transportation, of students by or on behalf of, or at the request of, the authority in charge of the school by means of a motor vehicle; off-road lamp means a lamp designed for any use other than those specified in Division 4 of these regulations; pneumatic tire means a tire made of rubber or other resilient material and which depends upon compressed air for the support of the load; pole trailer means a vehicle without motive power designed to be drawn by another vehicle and to be attached to the towing vehicle by means of a reach or pole, or by being boomed thereto, and which is ordinarily used for transporting long or irregularly shaped loads such as logs, poles, pipes or structural members; public transportation means the transportation of a group of persons other than family members or associates; radial ply tire means a pneumatic tire in which the ply cords that extend to the beads are laid at substantially 90 to the centre line of the tread; reflective marking means a reflective tape or rigid plastic reflector that complies with all the requirements for reflective devices as stated in Technical Standards Document No. 108 of the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulation (Canada); SAE means the Society of Automotive Engineers, an international organization in the automotive industry that is responsible for the establishment of standards for vehicles; safety glass means any glass or transparent product which substantially prevents the shattering and flying of the glass or transparent product when struck or broken; scheduled transportation means the transportation of students by or on behalf of, or at the request of, the authority in charge of the school by means of a motor vehicle that, either alone or as part of a transportation system, transports students between their residences and the school on a regularly scheduled basis for the purpose of attending classes; school bus means a school bus as defined in the Act and includes a bus used by or on behalf of, or at the request of, the authority in charge of the school to convey students by means of scheduled or non-scheduled transportation; semitrailer means a vehicle, other than a trailer, which is drawn by a motor vehicle and which is so constructed that some part of its weight and some part of the weight of its load rests upon or is carried by the towing vehicle; sequential lamp means a lamp with bulbs lighted in sequence to indicate an arrow or direction for the purpose of directing traffic; service brake means a foot brake; snow vehicle means a motor vehicle that a is designed for i travel on snow or ice, and ii the transportation of passengers or equipment, or both, and b is self-propelled by means of one or more endless belts driven in contact with the ground; snowmobile means a motor vehicle that a is designed for travel on snow or ice, b has one or more steering skis, c is self propelled by means of one or more endless belts driven in contact with the ground, and d has a seat designed for sitting astride; solid tire means a tire of rubber or other resilient materials which does not depend upon compressed air for the support of the load; special activity bus means a bus that a conforms to the safety standards under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Canada) that are applicable to the bus on the date of manufacture, b is operated by or on behalf of, or at the request of, the authority in charge of a school, and c is used for non-scheduled transportation; special mobile vehicle means a vehicle not self-propelled, nor designed or used primarily for the transportation of persons or property, and operated or moved over a highway incidentally to its designed purpose or function, but does not include an implement of husbandry; special vehicle means a motor vehicle with a carrying capacity for a driver and not more than 9 other persons that is designed or modified for public transportation of handicapped persons; spotlamp means a lamp that a is capable of projecting a beam of light on an object, and b may be directed from within or outside of the vehicle; tandem axle means 2 or more equally spaced consecutive axles, having an axle spread of not less than 1.0 m nor more than 1.85 m; tow car means a motor vehicle used exclusively for towing or rendering assistance to other motor vehicles, or to vehicles suffering from a defect or disability in their means of locomotion; towing dolly means a trailer that is designed exclusively to carry one axle of a motor vehicle for the purpose of towing that motor vehicle behind another motor vehicle; truck means a motor vehicle designed or used primarily for the transportation of property; truck tractor means a motor vehicle designed and used primarily for drawing other vehicles and not so constructed as to carry a load other than a part of the weight of the vehicle and load so drawn; utility vehicle means a motor vehicle that at the time the vehicle was manufactured was not designed to conform to the standards prescribed in the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Canada) for motor vehicles designed for use on a highway, including a all terrain vehicles, b golf carts, when used or adapted for a utility purpose unrelated to carrying golfers and their equipment, c Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 128/2012, Sch., s. 1 (b).] d forklifts, e light tractors, f mowers, g sweepers, and h other motor vehicles used for light industrial, maintenance or landscaping purposes, but does not include a motor vehicle that is licensed under section 8, 9 or 10 of the Act; wheelbase means the distance, measured to the nearest cm, between the centres of the 2 axles which are farthest apart; width of tire means, with respect to rubber tires, the width of tire as customarily measured and rated by manufacturers of motor vehicles and tires and, with respect to metal tires, the transverse width of the outer circumference of the metal tire. [am. B.C. Regs. 234/59, s. 1; 10/61, s. 1; 46/67, ss. 1 and 2; 226/67, s. 1; 153/71, ss. 1 and 2; 342/75, s. 1; 343/77; 459/78, s. 1; 295/79, s. (a); 256/84, s. 1; 229/88, s. 1; 133/89, s. 1; 292/89, s. 1; 170/90; 419/90, s. 1; 461/92, s. 1; 105/94; 491/94, s. (a); 273/97, s. 1; 413/97, App. 1, s. 1; 476/98, s. 1; 414/99, s. 1; 303/2001; 145/2008, s. 1; 351/2008, Sch., s. 1; 128/2012, Sch., s. 1; 177/2015, App., s. 1; 11/2018, s. 1; 246/2018, s. 1; 100/2021, Sch. 1, s. 1; 291/2023, App. 1, s. 1; 115/2024, App. 1, s. 1 (a).] Repealed 1.01 Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 255/2018, App., s. 1.] Application of Motor Vehicle Act definitions 1.011 1 The definitions in sections 1 and 119 of the Act apply to these regulations but, subject to subsection (2) of this section, if there is any conflict between a definition in section 1 of the Act and a definition in section 119 of the Act, the definition in section 119 prevails. 2 The definition of "owner" in section 1 of the Act applies to these regulations. [en. B.C. Reg. 115/2024, App. 1, s. 2.] Prescribed Criminal Code offences 1.02 1 Subject to subsection (2), for the purposes of paragraph (a) of the definition of "motor vehicle related Criminal Code offence" in section 1 of the Act, the following Criminal Code offences are prescribed: a an offence committed before December 4, 1985 under any of the following provisions of the Criminal Code as it then was: i section 203 [causing death by criminal negligence] ; ii section 204 [causing bodily harm by criminal negligence] ; iii section 219 [manslaughter] ; iv section 233 [criminal negligence in operation of motor vehicle] ; v section 234 [driving while ability to drive is impaired by alcohol or a drug] ; vi section 235 [failure or refusal to provide sample of breath] ; vii section 236 [driving with more than 80 milligrams of alcohol in blood] ; b an offence committed on or after December 4, 1985 and before December 12, 1988 under any of the following provisions of the Criminal Code as it then was: i section 203 [causing death by criminal negligence] ; ii section 204 [causing bodily harm by criminal negligence] ; iii section 219 [manslaughter] ; iv section 233 [dangerous operation of motor vehicle] ; v section 236 [failure to stop at scene of accident] ; vi section 237 [operation of motor vehicle while impaired or with more than 80 milligrams of alcohol in blood] ; vii section 238 [failure or refusal to provide sample of breath or blood] ; viii section 239 [impaired driving causing bodily harm or death] ; ix section 242 (4) [operation of motor vehicle while disqualified] ; c an offence committed on or after December 12, 1988 and before July 2, 2008 under any of the following provisions of the Criminal Code as it then was: i section 253 (a) [operation of motor vehicle while ability impaired by alcohol or a drug] ; ii section 253 (b) [operation of motor vehicle with more than 80 milligrams of alcohol in blood] ; d an offence committed on or after December 12, 1988 and before December 18, 2018 under any of the following provisions of the Criminal Code as it then was: i section 220 [causing death by criminal negligence] ; ii section 221 [causing bodily harm by criminal negligence] ; iii section 236 [manslaughter] ; iv section 249 (1) (a) [dangerous operation of motor vehicle] ; v section 249 (3) [dangerous operation causing bodily harm] ; vi section 249 (4) [dangerous operation causing death] ; vii section 252 (1) [failure to stop at scene of accident] ; viii section 254 (5) [failure or refusal to comply with demand] ; ix section 255 (2) [impaired driving causing bodily harm] ; x section 255 (3) [impaired driving causing death] ; xi section 259 (4) [operation of motor vehicle while disqualified] ; e an offence committed on or after April 1, 2005 and before December 18, 2018 under section 249.1 [flight from peace officer] of the Criminal Code as it then was; f an offence committed on or after July 2, 2008 and before December 18, 2018 under any of the following provisions of the Criminal Code as it then was: i section 253 (1) (a) [operation of motor vehicle while ability impaired by alcohol or a drug] ; ii section 253 (1) (b) [operation of motor vehicle with more than 80 milligrams of alcohol in blood] ; g an offence committed on or after June 21, 2018 and before December 18, 2018 under any of the following provisions of the Criminal Code as it then was: i section 253 (3) (a) [operation of motor vehicle and having blood drug concentration equal to or exceeding prescribed value] ; ii section 253 (3) (b) [operation of motor vehicle and having blood drug concentration in prescribed range] ; iii section 253 (3) (c) [operation of motor vehicle and having blood alcohol concentration and blood drug concentration equal to or exceeding prescribed value] ; h an offence committed before December 18, 2018 under any of the following provisions of the Criminal Code as it then was: i section 249.2 [causing death by criminal negligence (street racing)] ; ii section 249.3 [causing bodily harm by criminal negligence (street racing)] ; iii section 249.4 [dangerous operation of motor vehicle while street racing] ; iv section 255 (2.1) [causing accident resulting in bodily harm while driving with more than 80 milligrams of alcohol in blood] ; v section 255 (2.2) [causing accident resulting in bodily harm and failure or refusal to comply with demand] ; vi section 255 (3.1) [causing accident resulting in death while driving with more than 80 milligrams of alcohol in blood] ; vii section 255 (3.2) [causing accident resulting in death and failure or refusal to comply with demand] ; i an offence committed on or after December 18, 2018 under any of the following provisions of the Criminal Code : 0.i section 220 [causing death by criminal negligence] ; i section 320.13 (1) [dangerous operation] ; ii section 320.13 (2) [dangerous operation causing bodily harm] ; iii section 320.13 (3) [dangerous operation causing death] ; iv section 320.14 (1) (a) [operation of motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol or a drug] ; v section 320.14 (1) (b) [operation of motor vehicle and having blood alcohol concentration equal to or exceeding 80 milligrams of alcohol in blood] ; vi section 320.14 (1) (c) [operation of motor vehicle and having blood drug concentration equal to or exceeding prescribed value] ; vii section 320.14 (1) (d) [operation of motor vehicle and having blood alcohol concentration and blood drug concentration equal to or exceeding prescribed values] ; viii section 320.14 (2) [operation of motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol or a drug and causing bodily harm] ; ix section 320.14 (3) [operation of motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol or a drug and causing death] ; x section 320.14 (4) [operation of motor vehicle and having blood drug concentration in prescribed range] ; xi section 320.15 (1) [failure or refusal to comply with demand] ; xii section 320.15 (2) [causing accident resulting in bodily harm and failure or refusal to comply with demand] ; xiii section 320.15 (3) [causing accident resulting in death and failure or refusal to comply with demand] ; xiv section 320.16 (1) [failure to stop after accident] ; xv section 320.16 (2) [failure to stop after accident resulting in bodily harm] ; xvi section 320.16 (3) [failure to stop after accident resulting in death] ; xvii section 320.17 [flight from peace officer] ; xviii section 320.18 (1) [operation while prohibited] . 2 Subsection (1) (d) (xi) and (i) (xviii) does not apply for the purposes of paragraph (a) of the definition of "motor vehicle related Criminal Code offence" in section 1 of the Act as that definition applies to section 232 of the Act. [en. B.C. Reg. 255/2018, App., s. 1; am. B.C. Reg. 244/2023, Sch.] Persons prescribed as vulnerable road users 1.03 For the purposes of paragraph (c) of the definition of "vulnerable road user" in section 119 (1) of the Act, the following persons are prescribed: a a person who is in or on any of the following devices: i a motorcycle; ii an animal-driven vehicle; iii a designated personal mobility device; b a person who is in or on a device that is attached to or is being towed by any of the following: i a cycle; ii a device listed in paragraph (a) of this section; c a person who is on an animal. [en. B.C. Reg. 75/2024, Sch. 1, s. 1.] 2 Application Repealed 2.01 Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 115/2024, App. 1, s. 3.] Application 2.011 Except as otherwise provided in Division 24, Divisions 4 [Lamps] , 5 [Brakes] , 7 [Other Equipment] and 7B [Slow Moving Vehicles and Equipment] do not apply to a the vehicles listed in section 24.02 (1), or b an industrial utility vehicle to which section 3.1 of the Act applies. [en. B.C. Reg. 128/2012, Sch., s. 2.] Removal in case of collision or breakdown 2.02 Notwithstanding section 7.09, a a vehicle on a highway that, as a result of collision, or otherwise, ceases to be properly equipped under the Act or these regulations shall be removed from the highway forthwith or taken on the highway to a garage or repair shop by a tow car or other vehicle capable of safely carrying out the movement, and b a vehicle that is not properly equipped under the Act or these regulations may be moved on a highway, in order to take the vehicle to a garage or repair shop, by a tow car or other vehicle capable of safely carrying out the movement, and in either case, if the person then in charge of the vehicle takes reasonable precaution for the safety of traffic on the highway, these regulations are, with respect to the equipment that is defective, suspended. [en. B.C. Reg. 33/64, s. 1.] Determination of maximum vehicle width 2.03 Where a motor vehicle or trailer or semitrailer is equipped with one or more rear view mirrors that extend in whole or in part beyond the side of the vehicle or one or more lamps, required by these regulations, that extend in whole or in part beyond the side of the vehicle, the amount of such extension shall not be included in determining the maximum width of the vehicle for the purpose of these regulations. [en. B.C. Reg. 33/64, s. 2.] 3 Display and Use of Number Plates Prohibition 3.01 A person must not drive or operate a vehicle on a highway unless number plates are displayed on it in accordance with this Division. [en. B.C. Reg. 24/2022, Sch. 2, s. 1.] Attachment of number plates 3.011 Number plates issued for a vehicle under the Commercial Transport Act or Motor Vehicle Act must be attached a one plate to the front and one plate to the rear of the vehicle, if 2 number plates are issued for a vehicle, and b to the rear of the vehicle, if a single number plate is issued for a vehicle. [en. B.C. Reg. 279/2006.] Application to off-road vehicles 3.0111 Section 3.011 does not apply to an off-road vehicle registered under the Off-Road Vehicle Act and displaying a number plate or number sticker issued under that Act. [en. B.C. Reg. 193/2015, App. 3, s. 1.] Attachment of validation decal 3.012 1 Subject to subsection (2), if a validation decal is issued under the Commercial Transport Act or Motor Vehicle Act for attachment to a number plate, it must be attached a in the case of a motor vehicle licensed under the Commercial Transport Act that has a licensed gross vehicle weight exceeding 5 500 kg, to the place provided on the front number plate, a.1 in the case of an off-road vehicle registered under the Off-Road Vehicle Act , on the number plate or number sticker issued under that Act, or b in the case of any other vehicle, to the place provided on the rear number plate. 2 Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of a validation decal that was issued before May 1, 2022 in respect of a licence with a term ending on or after May 1, 2022. [en. B.C. Reg. 279/2006; am. B.C. Regs. 193/2015, App. 3, s. 2; 24/2022, Sch. 2, s. 2.] Prescribed actions respecting number plates and validation decals 3.013 1 For the purposes of section 12 (2) (c) [number plates] of the Act, the recording of the numbered licence and its expiry date in the file or index described in section 3 (7) [registration, licence and insurance] of the Act is a prescribed action. 2 For the purposes of section 20 (1) (f) [notice of removal or destruction of motor vehicle] of the Act, dealing with the number plates for the motor vehicle or trailer as directed by the corporation is a prescribed action. 3 For the purposes of section 51 (2) (b) [issuance of new number plate or validation decal] of the Act, the recording of the numbered licence and its expiry date in the file or index described in section 3 (7) [registration, licence and insurance] of the Act is a prescribed action. [en. B.C. Reg. 24/2022, Sch. 2, s. 3.] Number plates in horizontal position 3.02 A number plate shall at all times be securely fastened in a horizontal position to the vehicle for which it is issued. Vertical position permitted for motorcycles 3.021 Despite section 3.02, a number plate may be attached in vertical position on the left front fork of a motorcycle, with the first number or letter at the bottom of the fork. [en. B.C. Reg. 193/2015, App. 3, s. 3.] Plates to be unobstructed 3.03 A number plate must be kept entirely unobstructed and free from dirt or foreign material, so that the numbers and letters on it may be plainly seen and read at all times and so that the numbers and letters may be accurately photographed using a speed monitoring device or traffic light safety device prescribed under section 83.1 of the Act. [en. B.C. Reg. 185/96, s. 1; am. B.C. Reg. 215/99, App. 1, s. 1.] Transfer of number plates between same person's vehicles 3.031 1 If a person who is the registered owner or lessee of more than one motor vehicle or trailer removes number plates from one vehicle and wishes to display them on one of the other vehicles, the person must, before doing so and operating the other vehicle, a ensure that the requirements for licensing the other vehicle, including payment of the fee prescribed in the Motor Vehicle Fees Regulation, are complied with, and b deal with the number plates as directed by the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia. 2 Subsection (1) does not apply if the number plates are removed as a result of a transfer of title or interest in the vehicle under section 17 of the Act. [en. B.C. Reg. 115/2024, App. 1, s. 4.] Transfer fee 3.04 The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia shall not accept a notice of transfer of title or interest in a vehicle under section 17 of the Act unless the notice of transfer is accompanied by the fee prescribed in the Motor Vehicle Fees Regulation. [en. B.C. Reg. 431/73, s. 1; am. B.C. Regs. 518/81, s. 1; 317/96, s. 1.] Application of sections 3.05 to 3.09 3.041 1 Sections 3.05 to 3.09 do not apply in respect of a vehicle that is, immediately before a transfer of title or interest in the vehicle under section 17 of the Act, a leased vehicle that has a lessee. 2 Section 3.08 does not apply if the substitute vehicle referred to in that section is a leased vehicle. [en. B.C. Reg. 115/2024, App. 1, s. 5.] Removal of number plates on transfer 3.05 Every person who transfers title or interest in a vehicle under section 17 of the Act must, before giving up possession of the vehicle pursuant to the transfer, remove the number plates and deal with them as provided in section 3.08 or 3.09. [en. B.C. Reg. 431/73, s. 1; am. B.C. Reg. 115/2024, App. 1, s. 6.] Transfer by operation of law 3.06 1 For this section, spouse means a person who was married to another person at the relevant time or who was living for at least 2 years immediately before the relevant time in a marriage-like relationship. 2 Despite section 3.05, a where the title or interest of an owner of a vehicle is transferred by operation of law under section 17 of the Act as a result of the owner's death, the deceased person's executor, administrator or trustee must remove the number plates and deal with them only as provided in section 3.09; but where the ownership of the vehicle passes to the deceased person's spouse, the spouse may, upon application in the prescribed form to the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia and upon payment of the prescribed transfer fee, have the vehicle registered in the spouse's name and retain the number plates on the vehicle, or b where the title or interest of an owner of a vehicle is transferred by operation of law under section 17 of the Act for any reason other than as a result of the owner's death, the owner must remove the number plates and deal with them as provided in section 3.08 or 3.09. [en. B.C. Reg. 431/73, s. 1; am. B.C. Regs. 317/96, s. 1; 393/99, s. 1; 375/2012; 64/2021, s. 8; 115/2024, App. 1, ss. 6 and 7.] Owner not in possession of transferred vehicle 3.07 1 If the owner referred to in section 3.06 (2) (b) does not have possession of the vehicle at the time of its transfer, the person who has possession of the vehicle must remove the number plates and, subject to subsection (2), immediately deliver them to the owner who must deal with them as provided in section 3.08 or 3.09. 2 If the owner cannot be located within 7 days of the transfer, the person who removed the number plates must, at the expiry of the 7 days, immediately deliver the number plates to an office of the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia. [en. B.C. Reg. 115/2024, App. 1, s. 8.] Newly acquired substitute vehicle 3.08 1 Subject to subsection (1.1), if a person has removed number plates under section 3.05, the owner has retained possession of them as provided in section 3.09 and the owner acquires another motor vehicle or trailer of the same class, the owner may display the number plates on the substitute vehicle for a period not exceeding 10 days from the time of acquisition of the substitute vehicle and must within that period comply with the requirements for licensing the substitute vehicle in the owner's name. 1.1 If the removed number plates are personalized number plates issued under Division 34, subsection (1) of this section applies whether or not the substitute vehicle is of the same class as the vehicle for which it is substituted, but only if the substitute vehicle is not a vehicle referred to in any paragraph of section 34.05 (1). 2 If a person operates a substitute vehicle during the period not exceeding 10 days referred to in subsection (1) and prior to the owner licensing the substitute vehicle in the owner's name in accordance with that subsection, the operator must carry, and produce to a peace officer upon request, the following: a the owner's certificate of insurance and vehicle licence that corresponds with the number plates displayed on the vehicle; b the proof of vehicle registered ownership for the substitute vehicle or, if the vehicle is a new vehicle sold by a B.C. registered dealer, a bill of sale; c a duly completed notice of transfer, signed by both the seller and the buyer as required by section 17 of the Act. 2.1 Subsection (3) applies in any of the following circumstances: a the removed number plates are not personalized number plates issued under Division 34 and the substitute vehicle is not of the same class as the vehicle for which it is substituted; b the removed number plates are personalized number plates issued under Division 34 and the substitute vehicle is a vehicle referred to in any paragraph of section 34.05 (1). 3 In any of the circumstances set out in subsection (2.1), the owner must a ensure that the requirements for licensing the substitute vehicle in the owner's name, including payment of the fee prescribed in the Motor Vehicle Fees Regulation, are complied with before the substitute vehicle is operated, and b deal with the number plates as directed by the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia. 4 Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 115/2024, App. 1, s. 9 (e).] [en. B.C. Reg. 518/81, s. 2; am. B.C. Regs. 317/96, s. 1; 64/2021, ss. 5 to 7; 115/2024, App. 1, s. 9.] Disposal of number plates 3.09 1 A person who a removes number plates under section 3.05, and b does not attach the number plates on a substitute vehicle under section 3.08 must not attach or display those number plates on any other vehicle. 2 If a person described in subsection (1) applies for a remission of fees, the person must a file with the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia an application in the form required by the corporation, and b deal with the number plates as directed by the corporation. [en. B.C. Reg. 24/2022, Sch. 1, s. 1.] Removal of number plates on transfer — leased vehicle 3.091 If title or interest in a leased vehicle that has a lessee is transferred under section 17 of the Act, the lessee must, before giving up possession of the vehicle pursuant to the transfer, remove the number plates and deal with them as provided in section 3.093. [en. B.C. Reg. 115/2024, App. 1, s. 10.] Lessee not in possession of transferred vehicle 3.092 1 If the lessee referred to in section 3.091 does not have possession of the vehicle at the time of its transfer, the person who has possession of the vehicle must remove the number plates and, subject to subsection (2), immediately deliver them to the lessee who must deal with them as provided in section 3.093. 2 If the lessee cannot be located within 7 days of the transfer, the person who removed the number plates must, at the expiry of the 7 days, immediately deliver the number plates to an office of the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia. [en. B.C. Reg. 115/2024, App. 1, s. 10.] Number plates from leased vehicle 3.093 1 If number plates are removed under section 3.091 or 3.092 (1) and the person who was the lessee of the transferred vehicle wishes to display the number plates on a substitute vehicle, the person must, before doing so and before the substitute vehicle is operated, ensure that the requirements for licensing the substitute vehicle, including payment of the fee prescribed in the Motor Vehicle Fees Regulation, are complied with. 2 If number plates are removed under section 3.091 or 3.092 (1) and are not attached on a substitute vehicle under subsection (1) of this section, a person must not attach or display those number plates on any other vehicle. 3 If the person referred to in subsection (1) does not attach the number plates on a substitute vehicle and applies for a remission of fees, the person must a file with the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia an application in the form required by the corporation, and b deal with the number plates as directed by the corporation. [en. B.C. Reg. 115/2024, App. 1, s. 10.] Remission of fees 3.10 1 On completion of the requirements referred to in section 3.09 (2) or 3.093 (3) to the satisfaction of the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, the Minister of Finance may remit to the person a the licence fee prorated for the number of full days remaining in the term of the licence, and b Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 24/2022, Sch. 1, s. 2 (b).] c in the case of personalized number plates issued on or after January 1, 1984, 1/12 of the personalized number plate fee for each month that remains on the one year term of the number plates. 2 The Minister of Finance must not make a remission under subsection (1) if the amount to be remitted is less than $5. [en. B.C. Reg. 480/83, s. 1; am. B.C. Regs. 317/96, s. 1; 232/2009, ss. (b) and (c); 24/2022, Sch. 1, s. 2; 115/2024, App. 1, s. 11.] Fee adjustment on transfer 3.11 There shall be no adjustment of licence fees on a transfer of number plates under section 3.031 (1), 3.08 or 3.093 (1) except where the amount of the adjustment, where including any fees incidental to the transfer and any premium adjustment under the Insurance (Vehicle) Act , is more than $5. [en. B.C. Reg. 122/74, s. 1; am. B.C. Regs. 161/2007, s. 4; 115/2024, App. 1, s. 12.] Repealed 3.12 Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 115/2024, App. 1, s. 13.] Prohibition — vehicles regulated under Division 24 3.121 Despite section 3.08 (1), a person who has, in accordance with section 3.05, a removed number plates from a motor vehicle may not display or attach the number plates to or on a substitute vehicle to which Division 24 [Vehicles of Unusual Size, Weight or Operating Characteristics] applies, or b removed number plates from a motor vehicle to which Division 24 applies may not display or attach the number plates to or on a substitute vehicle of another class. [en. B.C. Reg. 351/2008, Sch., s. 3.] Classes of vehicles 3.13 For the purposes of section 3.08 (3) and 3.121, vehicles are divided into the following classes: a motorcycle; b passenger motor vehicle; c trailer licensed under this Act; d motor vehicle or trailer licensed under the Commercial Transport Act ; e motor vehicle to which Division 24 [Vehicles of Unusual Size, Weight or Operating Characteristics] applies. [en. B.C. Reg. 431/73, s. 1; am. B.C. Regs. 351/2008, Sch., s. 4; 115/2024, App. 1, s. 14.] Section 13.1 of the Act — death of licensee 3.14 If all of the conditions set out in section 13.1 (1) of the Act are met as a result of the licensee's death, the deceased person's executor, administrator or trustee must comply with section 13.1 (2) (b) of the Act. [en. B.C. Reg. 115/2024, App. 1, s. 15.] Section 13.1 of the Act — licensee not in possession of vehicle 3.15 1 If all of the conditions set out in section 13.1 (1) of the Act are met but the licensee does not have possession of the vehicle at that time, the person who has possession of the vehicle must remove the number plates and, subject to subsection (2) of this section, immediately deliver them to the licensee so that the licensee may comply with section 13.1 (2) (b) of the Act. 2 If the licensee cannot be located within 7 days after the person who removed the number plates took possession of the vehicle, that person must, at the expiry of the 7 days, immediately deliver the number plates to an office of the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia. [en. B.C. Reg. 115/2024, App. 1, s. 15.] 4 Lamps Hours prescribed for lighted lamps 4.01 A person who drives or operates a vehicle on a highway must illuminate the lamps required by this Division a from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise, and b at any other time when, due to insufficient light or unfavourable atmospheric conditions, objects on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of 150 m. [en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.] General lighting requirements 4.02 1 A vehicle on a highway must only be equipped with and use lamps, reflectors or other illuminating devices authorized by this Division or authorized in writing by the director. 2 A vehicle on a highway must be equipped with lamps equivalent to those provided by the original manufacturer in accordance with the requirements that applied under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Canada), or a predecessor to that Act, at the time of vehicle manufacture. 3 All lamps, lamp bulbs and reflectors required or permitted by this Division must comply with a the approved standards established by the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Canada) and the applicable SAE standards, b the conditions of use described in this Division, and c the requirements of Table 1 of the Schedule to this Division. 4 The function of 2 or more lamps or reflectors may be combined if each function meets the following requirements: a no turn signal lamp may be combined optically with a stop lamp unless the stop lamp is extinguished when the turn signal is flashing; b a clearance lamp must not be combined optically with a tail-lamp or identification lamp. 5 The director may exempt vehicles or classes of vehicles from the requirements of this section. [en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2; am. B.C. Reg. 135/2003, s. 1.] Mounting of lamps and reflectors 4.03 1 If 2 lamps of the same type are required or permitted on a vehicle, the lamps must be mounted at the same height unless otherwise specified in this Division. 2 If 2 lamps of the same type are required or permitted on the side, front or rear of a vehicle, the lamps must, unless otherwise specified in this Division, be mounted with one lamp at or near the extreme left and one lamp at or near the extreme right of the vehicle, so as to indicate the approximate width of the vehicle. [en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.] General maintenance 4.04 1 Lighting devices required by this Division must be maintained in good working order. 2 Lamps and reflectors required by this Division a must be securely mounted on the vehicle, b must not have any cracked, broken, missing or incorrectly installed lenses, and a lamp must not have bent or broken rims that allow water to enter the lamp, and c must not be shielded, covered or obscured by any part of the vehicle or load or by dirt or other material. [en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.] Headlamps 4.05 1 A motor vehicle must be equipped with either one or 2 headlamps mounted on each side of the front of the vehicle and capable of displaying white light. 2 The headlamps must be mounted at a height of not less than 56 cm and not more than 1.37 m. 3 Subsection (2) does not apply to highway construction and maintenance equipment. 4 Despite subsection (1), a motorcycle must be equipped with at least one and not more than 2 headlamps. 5 A motorcycle manufactured after December 31, 1974 must be equipped with a headlamp or headlamps which automatically turn on when the engine of the motorcycle is started and which remain illuminated as long as the engine is running. 6 The headlamp on a motorcycle travelling at less than 50 km/h must reveal an object at a distance of 30 m. 7 The headlamp on a motorcycle travelling at 50 km/h or more must reveal an object at a distance of 60 m. 8 A motorcycle may be equipped with modulating headlamps if the headlamps comply with section 5.6 of the Technical Standards Document No. 108, Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (Canada). [en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.] Multiple beam headlamps 4.06 1 The headlamps of a motor vehicle must function so that the driver may select lamps capable of displaying a an upper beam of light which, regardless of the load on the vehicle, will reveal an object at a distance of 100 m, and b a lower beam of light which, regardless of the load on the vehicle, will reveal an object at a distance of 30 m and the high intensity portion of the lower beam will not strike the eye of an oncoming driver. 2 The lighting system must include a tell-tale lamp which clearly indicates when the upper beam of light is being displayed. 3 Subsection (2) does not apply to a motor vehicle manufactured before January 1, 1940. 4 If an automatic dimmer switch is installed, the device must have a manual control. 5 A person who drives or operates a motor vehicle must not illuminate the upper beam of a headlamp if another motor vehicle is within a distance of 150 m from that vehicle, unless the driver has overtaken and passed the other vehicle, so that the high intensity portion of the beam does not strike or reflect into the eye of the other driver. 6 Whenever a motor vehicle is parked or standing on a highway, the upper beam of the motor vehicle headlamps must not be illuminated. [en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.] Single beam headlamps 4.07 Despite section 4.06, a motor vehicle, including a motorcycle, may be equipped with single beam headlamps instead of multiple beam headlamps if a the illuminated headlamps reveal an object at a distance of 60 m, and b each headlamp is mounted and directed so that the high intensity portion of the beam is, at a distance of 8 m from the headlamp, at least 12 cm below the height of the headlamp and, at a distance of 25 m from the lamp, not higher than 1.06 m from the road surface. [en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.] Daytime running lamps 4.08 A motor vehicle may be equipped with daytime running lamps, mounted on the front of the vehicle at a height of not less than 30 cm and not more than 2.11 m, that comply with the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Canada). [en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.] Auxiliary driving lamps 4.09 1 A motor vehicle may be equipped with 2 auxiliary driving lamps, mounted on the front of the vehicle at a height of not less than 40 cm and not more than 1.06 m, that are capable of displaying only white light. 2 An auxiliary driving lamp must be directed so that the high intensity portion of the beam is, at a distance of 8 m from the lamp, at least 12 cm below the height of the lamp and, at a distance of 25 m from the lamp, not higher than 1.06 m from the road surface. 3 An auxiliary driving lamp must operate so that it is illuminated only when the upper beam of a multiple beam headlamp is illuminated. [en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.] Parking lamps 4.10 1 A vehicle may be equipped with 2 parking lamps, mounted on the front of the vehicle, that are capable of displaying only white or amber light. 2 A vehicle may be equipped with 2 parking lamps, mounted on the rear of the vehicle, that are capable of displaying only red light. [en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.] Fog lamps 4.11 1 A motor vehicle may be equipped with 2 fog lamps, mounted on the front of the vehicle below the headlamps, that are capable of displaying only white or amber light. 2 Each fog lamp must be a mounted not more than 30 cm below the headlamps, and b adjusted and aimed so that, at a distance of 8 m from the lamp, the centre of the beam is at least 10 cm below the height of the fog lamp. 3 The fog lamp wiring and switch must permit simultaneous operation of the parking lamps, tail lamps, licence plate lamp and, if required, clearance lamps. 4 The operator of a vehicle may use fog lamps instead of headlamps when atmospheric conditions make the use of headlamps disadvantageous. [en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.] Side-marker lamps 4.12 1 A vehicle may be equipped with a 2 side-marker lamps, mounted on each side of the vehicle near the front, that are capable of displaying only white or amber light, and b 2 side-marker lamps, mounted on each side of the vehicle near the rear, that are capable of displaying only amber or red light. 2 The side-marker lamps referred to in subsection (1) may operate in conjunction with turn signal lamps or the hazard warning signal. 3 A vehicle with an overall width of 2.05 m or more, or having a gross weight in excess of 1 400 kg, may be equipped with side-marker lamps mounted on each side of the vehicle at the horizontal mid-point of the vehicle. [en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.] Turn signal devices 4.13 1 A vehicle may be equipped and mounted with a a lamp type turn signal system, or b a semaphore turn signal device, functionally equivalent to original equipment supplied by the vehicle manufacturer or of a type or make approved by the director. 2 A lamp type turn signal system must a have 2 lamps, mounted on the front of the vehicle, that are capable of displaying flashes of white or amber light which are visible to the front, b have 2 lamps, mounted on the rear of the vehicle, that are capable of displaying flashes of red or amber light which are visible to the rear, c be visible on each side of the vehicle at a distance of 100 m in normal sunlight at an angle of 45° from the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and d include a tell-tale lamp which gives a clear indication that the system is activated. 3 During the time specified in section 4.01, a semaphore turn signal device must be capable of illumination by light or reflection visible from a distance of 100 m. 4 A public passenger vehicle or a commercial vehicle that weighs more than 4 500 kg may be equipped with supplementary turn signal lamps in addition to the turn signal system required by subsection (2). 5 A turn signal lamp must be mounted on the vehicle at a height of not less than 38 cm and not more than 1.83 m.

6 Subsection (5) does not apply to highway construction vehicles, maintenance vehicles, tow cars or vehicles being towed by a tow car. 7 A vehicle which is being transported in a drive-away/tow-away operation, or is being towed by a tow car, must have turn signals that are synchronized with the turn signals of the towing vehicle when the tow vehicle turn signals are illuminated. 8 Despite subsection (5), a tow car may be equipped with supplementary turn signal lamps mounted within the maximum allowable vehicle height (4.15 m) and as far forward as the rear of the cab. 9 The centre of the front signal lamps must be at least 10 cm from the edge of the low beam headlamps [en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2; am. B.C. Reg. 135/2003, s. 1.] Cowl and fender lamps 4.14 A vehicle may be equipped with no more than 2 cowl or fender lamps, mounted on each front cowl or front fender of the vehicle, that are capable of displaying only amber or white light visible to the front and amber or red light visible to the rear. [en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.] Tail lamps 4.15 1 A motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer must be equipped with 2 tail lamps, mounted on the rear of the motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer, that are capable of displaying only red light visible from a distance of 150 m to the rear on both sides of the motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer at an angle of 45° from the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer. 2 Despite subsection (1), a a motorcycle may be equipped with only one tail lamp, and b a vehicle manufactured before January 1, 1959 may be equipped with only one tail lamp. 3 Each tail lamp must be mounted on the vehicle at a height of not less than 38 cm and not more than 1.83 m. 4 Subsection (3) does not apply to vehicles being towed by a tow car. 5 Despite subsection (3), a tow car may be equipped with 2 supplemental tail lamps mounted within the maximum allowable vehicle height (4.15 m) and as far forward as the rear of the cab. 6 A vehicle which is being transported in a drive-away/tow-away operation, or is being towed by a tow car, must have 2 tail lamps that are synchronized with the tail lamps of the towing vehicle when the tow vehicle tail lamps are illuminated. [en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.] Licence plate lamp 4.16 1 The rear licence plate of a vehicle must be illuminated by a lamp that is capable of displaying only white light so that the numbers on the licence plate are legible from a distance of 15 m to the rear of the vehicle. 2 The lamp required by subsection (1) a must illuminate whenever the headlamps or parking lamps are illuminated, and b must not project white light to the rear of the vehicle. [en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.] Stop lamps 4.17 1 A motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer on a highway must be equipped with 2 stop lamps, mounted on the rear of the motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer, that are visible to the rear on both sides of the motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer at an angle of 45° from the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer. 2 Despite subsection (1), a a motorcycle may be equipped with only one stop lamp, and b a vehicle manufactured before January 1, 1959 may be equipped with only one stop lamp. 3 A stop lamp must be a capable of displaying only red light visible from a distance of 100 m to the rear of the vehicle in normal sunlight, b illuminated exclusively upon application of the service brake, and c mounted on the vehicle at a height not less than 38 cm and not more than 1.83 m. 4 Subsection (3) (c) does not apply to vehicles being towed by a tow car. 5 A vehicle may be equipped with one additional centre-mounted stop lamp that is capable of displaying only red light visible to the rear. 6 A public passenger vehicle may be equipped with 2 supplemental rear stop lamps. 7 A tow car may be equipped with 2 supplemental rear stop lamps mounted within the maximum allowable vehicle height (4.15 m) and as far forward as the rear of the cab. 8 A vehicle which is being transported in a drive-away/tow-away operation, or is being towed by a tow car, must be equipped with and illuminate 2 stop lamps that are synchronized with the stop lamps of the towing vehicle when the tow vehicle stop lamps are illuminated. [en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.] Backup lamps 4.18 1 A vehicle may be equipped with not more than 2 backup lamps, mounted on the rear of the vehicle, that are capable of displaying only white light to the rear of the vehicle. 2 A backup lamp must illuminate only when the vehicle is in reverse gear. [en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.] Docking lamps 4.19 1 A truck or truck tractor, and no other vehicle, may be equipped with 2 docking lamps, directed to the rear of the vehicle, which illuminate only when the truck or truck tractor is in neutral or reverse gear. 2 The docking lamps must be directed in such a way that the high intensity portion of the beam does not strike the eye of another driver. [en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.] Lamps or flags on front and rear projections 4.20 1 A vehicle on a highway must not carry a load or have an integral part of the vehicle which projects more than 1 m beyond the front wheels or the front bumper of the vehicle unless, a during the time specified in section 4.01, the extreme tip of the projection is illuminated with a lamp that is capable of displaying only white light visible from the front and sides of the vehicle, and b at any time other than that specified in section 4.01, a red flag or cloth that complies with section 8.05 (c) of the Commercial Transport Regulations and which is visible from the front and sides of the vehicle is attached to the extreme tip of the projection. 2 A vehicle on a highway must not carry a load or have an integral part of the vehicle which projects more than 1.2 m to the rear of the load-deck or body of the vehicle unless, a during the time specified in section 4.01, the extreme tip of the projection is lighted with a lamp that is capable of displaying only red light visible from a distance of 150 m to the rear of the vehicle, and b at any time other than that specified in section 4.01, a red flag or cloth that complies with section 8.05 (c) of the Commercial Transport Regulations and which is visible to the driver of a vehicle to the rear is attached to the extreme tip of the projection. [en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.] Reflective devices 4.21 1 A vehicle must be equipped with at least one red reflector at the rear of the vehicle, either separate or incorporated into a tail lamp, that is mounted at a height of not less than 38 cm and not more than 1.83 m. 2 Subsection (1) does not apply to a vehicle manufactured before January 1, 1958. 3 Only amber reflectors may be mounted on the front or side of a vehicle. 4 Only red reflectors may be mounted on the rear of a vehicle or on the side of the vehicle at or toward the rear of the vehicle. 5 A vehicle with an overall width of 2.05 m or more, or a trailer or semitrailer having a gross weight in excess of 1 400 kg, must be equipped with at least a 2 amber reflectors mounted on the side of the vehicle, trailer or semitrailer near the front, b 2 amber reflectors mounted on the side of the vehicle, trailer or semitrailer near the rear, and c 2 red reflectors mounted on the rear of the vehicle, trailer or semitrailer. 6 A trailer or semitrailer must be equipped with at least one red reflector on the rear of the vehicle at each side. 7 A pole trailer must be equipped with at least a one amber reflector on each side of the vehicle at the front and the horizontal mid-point, and b one red reflector on the rear of the vehicle or load at each side. 8 A commercial trailer with a width of more than 2.05 m and a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 4 536 kg must be equipped with reflective markings on the rear and side of the vehicle to meet the approved standards established by the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Canada) and the applicable SAE standards a on and after January 1, 2000 if the vehicle was manufactured on or after December 1, 1993, and b on and after January 1, 2002 if the vehicle was manufactured before December 1, 1993. 9 Despite subsections (1) to (7), reflective markings may replace red or amber reflectors on the side or rear of a vehicle. [en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2; am. B.C. Reg. 413/99.] Clearance lamps 4.22 1 A commercial vehicle may be equipped with 2 amber clearance lamps mounted on the front of the vehicle, near or at the top of the vehicle, in such a manner as to indicate the overall width of the vehicle. 2 A truck tractor must be equipped with amber clearance lamps mounted on the front of the vehicle. 3 During the time specified in section 4.01, a vehicle with an overall width of 2.05 m or more, or a trailer or semitrailer having a gross weight in excess of 1 400 kg, must illuminate a a clearance lamp, i mounted on the front at each side of the vehicle, that is capable of displaying only amber light visible from a distance of 150 m to the front, or ii mounted on the front of the vehicle, that is capable of displaying amber, green or white light, but only if the vehicle was manufactured before January 1, 1959, and b a clearance lamp, mounted on the rear at each side of the vehicle, that is capable of displaying only red light visible from a distance of 150 m to the rear. 4 Subsection (3) does not apply to a pole trailer. 5 Clearance lamps on vehicles manufactured after December 31, 1993 must be mounted near or at the top of the vehicle in such a manner as to indicate the overall width of the vehicle. [en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.] Identification lamps 4.23 1 A commercial vehicle may be equipped with 3 identification lamps, mounted in a row on the front of the vehicle at or near the top, that are capable of displaying only amber light. 2 A commercial vehicle with an overall width of 2.05 m or more may be equipped with 3 identification lamps, a mounted in a row on the rear of the vehicle at or near the top, or b mounted below the rear door of a van trailer when the top header is 2.5 cm or less in width, that are capable of displaying only red light. [en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.] Spotlamps 4.24 1 A motor vehicle on a highway may be equipped with not more than 2 spotlamps that are capable of displaying only white light. 2 An illuminated spotlamp must be directed so that the high intensity portion of the beam will not strike the windows, mirrors or occupants of another vehicle. 3 A spotlamp must be securely fastened to the motor vehicle, and the lamp or control must not interfere with the driver's vision or control of the vehicle. 4 A spotlamp must not be used in substitution of headlamps. 5 Subsections (1) to (3) do not apply to emergency vehicles. [en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.] Off-road lamps 4.25 Despite section 4.04 (2) (c), a vehicle equipped with off-road lamps when on a highway must have the off-road lamps concealed with opaque covers. [en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.] Sequential lamps 4.26 A sequential direction lamp may only be used by emergency vehicles and public and private utility highway maintenance vehicles. [en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.] Lighted signs and air deflectors 4.27 1 A motor vehicle must not be equipped with an illuminated taxi sign except in accordance with conditions set out in writing by the director. 2 A motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle or taxi, may be equipped with one internally illuminated sign if the sign complies with all of the following: a the sign is securely mounted on the roof of the vehicle, has no moving parts and does not overhang the roof of the vehicle; b the sign does not increase the overall height of the vehicle by more than 50 cm, and the vehicle and sign together do not exceed 4.15 m in overall height; c the surfaces of the sign are illuminated only to the sides of the vehicle and not to the front or rear; d the illuminated surface of the sign is not more than 3 000 cm 2 on each side; e the illuminated surfaces of the sign do not depict graphics which resemble any official traffic control device; f the light displayed is uniformly diffused and is a non-flashing light of not more than 32 watts. 3 Despite subsection (2) (c) and (d), a truck or truck tractor may be equipped with an internally illuminated air deflector mounted on the roof of the truck or truck tractor if a the illuminated surface of the deflector does not exceed 4 700 cm 2 in area and is no closer to the road surface than 1.5 m at any point, and b the deflector does not reduce the field of vision of the driver of the vehicle or obscure the clearance or identification lamps. 4 A public passenger vehicle may be equipped with one or more signs having letters not more than 20 cm in height and illuminated by diffused white light. 5 For the purposes of section 19.15 (1) (a), a bus may be equipped with not more than one illuminated yield sign if the yield sign a displays, in amber flashes of light, the word "YIELD" so that the word, when illuminated, is visible from a distance of 100 m in normal sunlight, b is mounted to the left side at the rear of the bus, c has an automatic cancellation feature on a timer with a maximum duration of 10 seconds, and d is connected to a tell-tale lamp or device that gives a clear indication to the driver of the bus that the yield sign is in operation. [en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2; am. B.C. Regs. 91/99, s. 1 (a); 135/2003, s. 1; 351/2008, Sch., s. 5.] Flashing lamps 4.28 1 A vehicle on a highway may only be equipped with lamps that are capable of displaying flashes of light if a the lamps are operated in accordance with this Division, or b the director has given written permission and the lamps are lighted in accordance with the conditions specified by the director. 2 Red, white or amber flashing lamps may be used on the following vehicles: a a fire department vehicle driven by a member of the fire department in the discharge of the member's duties; b an official vehicle driven by a peace officer, constable or member of the police branch of the Canadian Forces in the discharge of the officer's duties; c an ambulance, as defined in the Emergency Health Services Act , if the ambulance is responding to an emergency call or transporting a patient and it is essential for the ambulance to gain the right of way; d a bus described in section 169.1 (4) (a) or (b) of the Act if the flashes of light are emitted i from the centre and right side clearance lights at the rear of the bus, and ii only when the bus is stopped, standing or parked at a bus stop; e an official vehicle driven by a fishery officer designated under section 5 (1) of the Fisheries Act (Canada) in the discharge of the officer's duties under that Act or the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act (Canada); f an official vehicle driven by a sheriff, in the discharge of the sheriff's duties under the Sheriff Act . 3 Only those vehicles described in subsection (2) may be equipped with a system which alternately flashes the headlamps of the vehicle. 4 A school bus may be equipped with alternately flashing red lamps and alternately flashing amber lamps of a type approved by the director. 5 Two amber flashing lamps may be illuminated on the following vehicles: a a tow car while attending a vehicle being connected to or disconnected from the tow car, if the lamps are mounted within the maximum allowable vehicle height of 4.15 m and as far forward as the rear of the cab; b a tow car when towing a vehicle which projects beyond the width of the lane in which it is being towed; c snow removal equipment, sand spreading equipment or other highway maintenance equipment being used on a highway during highway maintenance or construction. d Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 111/2025, Sch. 2, s. 1 (a).] 5.1 2 or 4 amber flashing lamps that meet the requirements of Division 8 of the Commercial Transport Regulations must be illuminated on a pilot car while escorting a vehicle or load. 6 A vehicle that under the Commercial Transport Act is an oversize vehicle or is a vehicle used to transport oversized loads may be equipped with and operate flashing amber lamps in accordance with a permit issued under the Commercial Transport Act . 7 Turn signals, or side-marker lamps used in conjunction with turn signals, may be used as warning lights by a slow moving vehicle as described in Division 7B or as warning lights whenever a vehicle is disabled on a highway. 8 Any of the following officers may drive an official vehicle equipped with blue flashing lights and illuminate them in the discharge of the officer's duties: a a member of a municipal police department; a.1 a designated constable of any of the following designated policing units established under the Police Act : i the Organized Crime Agency of British Columbia; ii the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Police Service Designated Policing Unit; iii Stl'atl'imx Tribal Police Service; a.2 Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 48/2025, Sch., s. 15 (b).] a.3 Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 48/2025, Sch., s. 15 (b).] a.4 a person appointed under section 38.06 (2) of the Police Act to serve as an investigator with the Independent Investigations Office; b a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police; c a member of the police branch of the Canadian Forces; d a member of the Conservation Officer Service as described in section 106 of the Environmental Management Act ; e a person authorized to exercise the powers and duties of a constable or peace officer for purposes set out in section 1 of the Inspectors Authorization Regulation, B.C. Reg. 372/92; f a park ranger appointed under section 4 (2) of the Park Act ; g Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 145/2021, Sch. 1, s. 1 (b).] g.1 a fishery officer designated under section 5 (1) of the Fisheries Act (Canada); h an employee of the Canada Border Services Agency who is described in paragraph (d) or (d.1) of the definition of "peace officer" in section 2 of the Criminal Code (Canada). 9 A hearse, or any other vehicle operated by a person who provides funeral services, may be equipped with a single roof-mounted or dash-mounted flashing purple lamp that may be illuminated while the vehicle is operated as the lead or final vehicle in a funeral procession. [en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2; am. B.C. Regs. 91/99, s. 1 (b); 135/2003, ss. 1 and 3; 90/2008; 90/2012; 145/2013, App. 2, s. 11 (a); 145/2021, Sch. 1; 144/2024, s. (b); 115/2024, App. 1, s. 16; 48/2025, Sch., s. 15; 111/2025, Sch. 2.] Implements of husbandry 4.29 1 An implement of husbandry operating on a highway is exempt from sections 4.02 (3) and 4.03 to 4.27. 2 During the times specified in section 4.01, an implement of husbandry on a highway must comply with all of the following: a the operator must illuminate 2 lamps that are capable of displaying only amber light, which indicate the extreme left and right of the vehicle, visible from a distance of 100 m to the front; b the operator must illuminate 2 lamps that are capable of displaying only red or amber light, which indicate the extreme left and right of the vehicle, visible from a distance of 100 m to the rear; c on a self-propelled implement, the operator must illuminate one lamp that is capable of displaying only white light, visible from a distance of 150 m to the front, which does not exceed the limitations specified in section 4.05; d if the vehicle extends more than 10 m behind the hitch point, the vehicle must be equipped with amber reflectors visible to the left and the right sides of the vehicle, spaced at 5 m intervals. [en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.] Slow-moving vehicles 4.30 The operator of a slow-moving vehicle on a highway, as described in Division 7B of these regulations, must at all times illuminate amber non-rotating flashing lamps as warning lights visible from a distance of 100 m to the front, and red or amber non-rotating flashing lamps visible from a distance of 100 m to the rear. [en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.] Schedule Table 1 — Standards for Approval of a Motor Vehicle Headlamp and Other Illuminating Lamps Aiming Requirements [en. B.C. Reg. 476/98, s. 2.] Visual aim based in millimetres at 7.62 metres Headlamps Beams to be Used When Aimed or Inspected Area of High Intensity Zone to be Aimed or Inspected Lateral Aim Lateral Inspection Tolerance Vertical Aim Vertical Inspection Tolerance 146 mm Type 1 sealed beam Upper Centre At V 150 mm left to 150 mm right of V 13 mm up from H 125 mm up to 100 mm down from H 146 mm and 178 mm Type 2 sealed beam Lower Left Edge Top Edge 25 mm right of V 100 mm left to 150 mm right of V 60 mm up from H 175 mm up to 50 mm down from H 178 mm sealed beam not marked Type 2 Upper Centre At V 150 mm left to 150 mm right of V 13 mm up from H 125 mm up to 100 mm down from H European headlamps marked "E" and beam lamps marked "R" or "HR" Upper Centre At V 125 mm left to 125 mm right of V At H At H to 115 mm below Low beam lamps marked "C" or "HC" Lower Junction of horizontal and sloped cut off Top edge of horizontal cut off At V 125 mm left to 125 mm right of V 100 mm below H 75 mm below to 190 mm below H Dual beam lamps marked "CR" or "HCR" Lower and Upper Top edge of horizontal cut off Centre At V 125 mm left to 125 mm right of V 100 mm below H 75 mm below to 190 mm below H Fog lamps symmetrical Centre Top edge At V 150 mm left to 150 mm right of V 100 mm below H At H or below Fog lamps asymmetrical Left edge Top edge 25 mm right of V 100 mm left to 100 mm right of V 60 mm above V 175 mm above to 50 mm below H Auxiliary passing lamp Left edge Top edge 25 mm right of V 100 mm left to 100 mm right of V 60 mm above H 175 mm below to 50 mm below H Auxiliary driving lamp Centre At V 150 mm left to 150 mm right of V 13 mm up from H 125 mm up to 100 mm down from H Motor vehicle minimum beam candela: Upper beam, 10 000; lower beam, 7 000. Motorcycle minimum beam candela: Upper beam, 5 000; lower beam, 3 500. This standard is based on S.A.E. standard—Lighting Inspection Code and recommended headlamp tolerances for E.C.E. lamps supplied by the Road and Motor Vehicles Safety Section, Transport Canada. Abbreviations: V=vertical centreline straight ahead of lamp centre. H=horizontal centreline at level of lamp centre. Contents 26_58_00 Division 1-4 26_58_01 Division 5 26_58_02 Division 6 26_58_03 Division 7-9 26_58_04 Division 10-18 26_58_05 Division 19-23 26_58_06 Division 24-25 26_58_07 Division 26-28 26_58_08 Division 29 26_58_09 Division 30-34 26_58_10 Division 35-36 26_58_11 Division 37-40 26_58_12 Division 40A-42 26_58_13 Division 43 26_58_14 Division 44-47 26_58_15 Division 48 26_58_16