As Alberta moves to an electronic reminder system when it comes to vehicle registration, the province is giving drivers one last reminder that they will no longer receive a letter in the mail reminding them that they need to renew the registration on their vehicle.
The Alberta government is using robocalls to remind all vehicle owners in the province to sign up for online vehicle registration reminders.
The robocalls come four months after the province moved away from reminding drivers through snail mail that their registration was about to expire. The online system is expected to save taxpayers $3 million per year.
READ MORE: No more snail mail: Alberta switching to digital registration, licence renewal reminders
Drivers are required to sign up online to receive the electronic reminder and many have failed to do so, resulting in fines.
“Even today, we are hearing from our members at the registry counter, without question, that they didn’t necessarily receive the message or that they were surprised that they didn’t receive a renewal notice in the mail,” Jeff Kasbrick, VP of government and stakeholder relations at the Alberta Motor Association said.
Earlier this year, Andy Guljas told Global News he received a $300 ticket for driving with an expired licence plate. He had no idea he was driving around unregistered for three weeks.
“I told the officer that I’m sure the government hasn’t sent me any papers yet.”
READ MORE: Alberta drivers forget to renew licence, vehicle registrations after government change
How to renew your vehicle registration
Vehicle registrations expire on an assigned month depending on the driver’s last name. Motorists can find out when their vehicle registration expires on the government’s registration expiry date chart.
There are three ways to renew your registration: online, by mail and in person at a registry agent.
Online
Alberta Motor Association members can use the AMA’s website to renew their vehicle registration. Non-AMA members can use the e-registry online renewal.
The online sites can only be used if you are renewing your registration without changes. Any changes must be submitted in person at a registry agent office.
If you have any outstanding fines, you won’t be able to renew your registration online. If you choose to pay your fines online first, you must wait a couple days for the payment to process before you can renew online.
To renew online you’ll need:
- Your vehicle registration certificate
- The insurance details from your pink card
- A credit card
- An internet connection
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To renew your vehicle registration by mail, you must do it at least 30 days before it expires. If you are fewer than 30 days from the expiry on your registration, you would have to renew your registration in person or online.
If you have any outstanding fines or changes to your registration, you must apply for the renewal in person at a registry agent office.
To renew by mail, you’ll need to:
- Complete a mail-in renewal form, including the insurance declaration and signatures from all registrants and provide payment (cheque or money order). There are forms for AMA members and non-AMA members.
In person
To renew your vehicle registration in person, visit any authorized Alberta Registry Agent.
To renew in-person, you’ll need:
- Your driver’s licence
- Valid proof of insurance (‘pink card’)
- Current vehicle registration certificate (optional)
Drivers can renew their registration for one or two years.
At the AMA there is an option to auto-renew your registration, which continues every year. The AMA said tens of thousands of people have signed up for auto renewal since the service launched in April.
Albertans with disabilities will continue to receive their reminders in the mail. Seniors over the age of 70 will receive reminders in the mail until April 1, 2017.
To sign up for an email reminder for vehicle registrations, head to the Alberta government’s website.
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