British Columbia Dealer License Plates

A special thanks to Tom Lindner, Dallas Doyle, Dave Hollins, Don Schneider and Ron Garay for providing many of the plates pictured.

Quick Links:

Passenger Dealer | Motorcycle Dealer

When the Province enacted the Act to regulate the speed and operation of Motor Vehicles on Highways in February of 1904, every resident and non-resident driving a motor vehicle in British Columbia was required to register with the Superintendent of Provincial Police, who, upon receiving a $2.00 application fee, would issue a permit and registration number to be displayed prominently on their vehicle - with the exception of "manufacturers or dealers".

Only in 1911, when the more comprehensive Act to regulate the Use and Operation of Motor-vehicles replaced the 1904 Act would detailed language related to the registration of demonstration vehicles appear.

Specifically, any person, importing, vending, or dealing in motor vehicles had to apply to the Superintendent of Provincial Police for a trade licence, the cost of which was set at $50.00 and entitled "the holder thereof to the use of five demonstration numbers, and to offer for sale, test and demonstration five motors at one time. For each additional number a further fee of ten dollars" was required.

Available records indicate that approximately 120 license plates were issued in 1911 to, amongst others, the following businesses:

The Anglo-British Columbian Agency Limited	"D6" to "D10"	Tudhope-Alexander Company	"D76" to "D80"
Canada Cycle & Motor Company Limited	"D16" to "D20"	Hoffmeister Brothers	"D81" to "D85"
A.G. Brown-Jameson Company Limited	"D21" to "D25"	A.A. Finch Auto Company	"D86" to "D90"
Pacific Garage & Auto Car	"D41" to "D45"	Vancouver Auto & Cycle Company Limited	"D106" to "D110"
The Columbia Taxi & Cab Company Limited	"D51" to "D55"	Central Auto Company	"D101" to "D105"
Dominion Motor Car Company Limited	"D56" to "D60"	Great Western Auto Company Limited	"D111" to "D115"
McLaughlin Car Company Limited	"D71" to "D75"	Moncrop Brothers	"D116" to "D120"

1911 - 1912: Pre-Provincial

Issuing Statistics

1911:	D1 - D120
1912:	unknown

Despite what the available records seem to indicate, the above is the only known surviving Dealer plate from the pre-provincial era and displays the remnants of the number '325'.

The 1911 Act also gave the Superintendent the "power to assign demonstration numbers and to direct the manner in which, and the means by which, such demonstration numbers shall be affixed to motors offered for sale; and no motor bearing a demonstration number shall be permitted to be used for hire or in any other way than for demonstration for sale.

* * * * *

When the Act to regulate the Use and Operation of Motor-vehicles was amended in 1913 to allow the Province to begin supplying standardised passenger and motorcycle license plates, the Section dealing with demonstration plates was similarly updated so that the Superintendent had the ability to "assign and supply" demonstration numbers.

The materials used on the first Dealer plates in 1913 where similar to those used for passenger and motorcycle plates that year (i.e. porcelain on a heavy gauge steel base), however, the colour scheme differed and, rather interestingly, the issuing jurisidiction is not referenced on the plate (i.e. the plates do not state "BC").

1913

Issuing Statistics

1913:

unknown

While it is known that the Act allowed each licence holder registered with the Superintendent to use up to five Demonstration numbers, one of the curious differences between the 1913 and 1914 series has been the highest plate known for each year - i.e. No. 128 in 1913 versus No. 749 in 1914.

This can be explained by the Superintendent of Police ordering five (5) of each plate number from the McClary Manufacturing Company in 1913, as can be seen in the following images:

Within weeks of the 1913 Dealer plates having been issued, Superintendent Colin Campbell began to receive complaints from his constables about the challenges "in fastening the Guilt on one of the five (5) Chauffeurs" who might be using a Dealer plate at any particular time.

Campbell advised that it would be "rather difficult to make any change this year [to adress the problem], as it would take probably three (3) months more before New Numbers could be delivered."

Further complicating our understanding of how many of the same number might exist for 1913 Dealer plates was a decision made in March of 1913 the vehicles being driven for demonstration purposes were required to display 2 plates; one on the front and the other on the rear. Apparently, this had not been the Provincial Police's understanding of the new legislation.

The legislation was subsequently amended in the Spring of 1913 to clarify this requirement, and Superintendent Campbell wrote to his Constables on April 15, 1913 to advise that:

After the amendment was passed I ordered duplicate numbers of the ones now on hand, these should soon be here when I will forward you the ones required at your Office. As we are unable to supply these plates at the present time and until dealers are so supplied it would certainly appear to be a hardship if prosecution were brought again them for failure to use a front number plate.

On May 20, 1913, Superintendent Campbell sent out the additional plates, advising that "these Markers are duplicates of the ones already issued in your district, and are to be given to licenceees who have taken out their licences so as to provide each Demonstrating Car with back and front plates in accordance with the [Motor Traffic Regulation] Act".

Motor vehicle dealers also had the option of applying to the Superintendent of Police for an extra number, subject to the payment of a $10.00 fee and, remarkably, a sixth 1913 No. D99 turned up on eBay in January of 2014 from a collection in Florida! This new D99 is distinguishable by its unique chip marks which don't match any of the other five D99 plates shown in the picture above (from 2010). For those who are curious, this plate ended up selling for $449.00 USD (plus shipping).

There is known to be a possible seventh 1913 No. 99 in existence, however, the authentcity of the number (not the plate) is questionable as it appears to bear the marks of heavy alteration (if not doctoring) as part of its restoration (plate is shown at right).

1914

Issuing Statistics

1914:

unknown

* * * * *

Demonstration plates from the 1915-1917 era are exceedingly rare, if not impossible to come across likely owing to the inability of the tin design to stand up well to rugged wear and tear and possibly due to the war effort and material drives during these years.

1915 - 1917

1-digit

2-digit

Issuing Statistics

1915:	unknown
1916:	unknown
1917:	unknown

1-digit

2-digit

1-digit

2-digit

3-digit

After having awarded the contract to produce the 1915 Demonstrator plates to the MacDonald Manufacturing Company of Toronto, the Superintendent of Provincial Police, Colin S. Campbell, wrote the company on September 5, 1914, to advise that "I would rather have the 'D' made wider and taller than the figures if it is not too late to do this, and in doing this I would not object to having the figures on the demonstration numbers a little shorter than the ones on the automobile markers; for instance, if they were three-quarters of an inch shorter, it would not harm any, but I would want the 'D' to be the full height and heavier so it would be more prominent, so as to distinguish the demonstrating numbers from the regular automobile numbers."

Based upon the design of the one known 1915 still to exist, it appears that the Superintendent was too late in making this request to MacDonald Manufacturing.

1918 / 1920 / 1923: Bases

1-digit

2-digit

Issuing Statistics

1918:	unknown
1919:	unknown
1920:	unknown
1921:	unknown
1922:	unknown
1923:	D1 to D1-000*

* 300 additional Dealer plates were manufactured in 1923, and utilised numbers between 1,500 and 1,800.

1-digit

2-digit

1-digit

2-digit

4-digit

1919 / 1921 / 1922: Tabs

* * * * *

Interestingly, it was reported in 1927 that British Columbia was the only Canadian province to issue five (5) sets of Demonstration number plates with each approved license.

1924 - 1935

1-digit

2-digit

4-digit

Issuing Statistics

1924:	D1 to D1-500
1925:	D1 to D2-000
1926:	unknown
1927:	unknown
1928:	D1 to D2-500
1929:	unknown
1930:	unknown
1931:	unknown
1932:	unknown
1933:	unknown
1934:	unknown
1935:	unknown

1-digit

2-digit

4-digit

1-digit

2-digit

4-digit

1-digit

2-digit

3-digit

1-digit

2-digit

4-digit

1-digit

2-digit

3-digit

1-digit

2-digit

3-digit

1-digit

2-digit

4-digit

1-digit

2-digit

4-digit

1-digit

2-digit

4-digit

1-digit

2-digit

3-digit

4-digit

1-digit

2-digit

3-digit

4-digit


In 1926, Babe Ruth hammed it up on stage in Vancouver during a personal appearance tour of North America. He posed as a batter, with Vancouver mayor L.D. Taylor crouching behind him as catcher, and the city’s chief of police umpiring. Ruth also toured around the city in a Nash Sedan with a 1926 Dealer plate No. "D1490". The picture appears to have been take in Stanley Park.

1932

On June 10, 1932, the Commissioner of the BC Provincial Police, J.H. McMullin, issued a letter to "All Ranks" of the force advising that as of May 31, 1932, "729 dealers' demonstration number plates had been issued and for the same period 245 salesmen's licences had been issued, from which you will note that there are a great many motor-vehicles bearing demonstration number plates being operated in contravention oto Sections 4 and 4A of the "Motor-vehicle Act" and this matter should receive your immediate attention."

1933 'DX' Prefix

As local motorists continued to take their vehicles off the roads as a result of the economic conditions affecting the province in the early 1930, the Provincial government concocted a scheme that offered two free months of registration through the use of a windhsield sticker in the hopes that this would entice people to continue using their vehicles. As a sticker could not be applied to vehicles being shown by Dealers (as this could involve multiple cars), a special issue plate, valid for the months of January and February, 1934, was prepared instead and displayed a 'DX' prefix.

1932 - No. 9 Dealer license plate

1936 - No. 6 Dealer license plate

1936 - 1951

1-digit

2-digit

4-digit

Issuing Statistics

1936:

unknown

1-digit

2-digit

4-digit

Issuing Statistics

1937:

unknown

1-digit

2-digit

4-digit

Issuing Statistics

1938:

unknown

1-digit

2-digit

3-digit

Issuing Statistics

1939:

D1 to D1-100

1-digit

2-digit

4-digit

Issuing Statistics

1940:

D1 to D975

1-digit

2-digit

4-digit

Issuing Statistics

1941:

D1 to D950

1-digit

2-digit

4-digit

Issuing Statistics

1942:

D1 to D900

1-digit

2-digit

4-digit

Issuing Statistics

1943:

D1 to D475

1943 - Indented 'D' Prefix

An oddity of the 1943 Dealer plates is the placement of the 'D' prefix on the lower numbered plates in the series. Generally, the 'D' prefix was always situated to the left of the plate in previous years, but for some reason the letter migrated towards the middle of the plate for numbers under one-hundred.

1-digit

2-digit

4-digit

Issuing Statistics

1944:

D1 to D450

1-digit

2-digit

4-digit

Issuing Statistics

1945:

D1 to D450

1-digit

2-digit

4-digit

Issuing Statistics

1946:

D1 to D600

1-digit

3-digit

4-digit

Issuing Statistics

1947:

D1 to D722

1-digit

2-digit

4-digit

Issuing Statistics

1948:

D1 to D999

1-digit

2-digit

4-digit

Issuing Statistics

1949:

D1 to D1-300

2-digit

3-digit

Issuing Statistics

1950:

D1 to D1-450

1-digit

2-digit

Issuing Statistics

1951:

D1 to D1-600

1952

1-digit

Issuing Statistics

1952:

D1 to D1-900

1953 - 1954

1-digit

Issuing Statistics

1953:

D1 to D2-000

1-digit

2-digit

3-digit

Issuing Statistics

1954:

D1 to D2-000

* * * * *

By the 1960s and 1970s, the cost of obtaining a Dealer's licence had increased to $5,000.00, which had to take the form of an insurance bond supplied to the Superintendent of Insurance, or a security filed with the Minister of Finance.

Moreover, a process of investigation was now carried out for each new motor-dealer. Information in connection with the proposed operation, previous business, corporate formation, business intentions, premises, and compliance with municipal zoning regulations would be considered before a license would be authorized.

1955 - 1963

2-digit

4-digit

Issuing Statistics

1955:

D1 to D2-000

1-digit

4-digit

Issuing Statistics

1956:

unknown

1-digit

2-digit

3-digit

Issuing Statistics

1957:

unknown

1-digit

2-digit

4-digit

Issuing Statistics

1958:

unknown

1-digit

2-digit

3-digit

Issuing Statistics

1959:

unknown

1-digit

4-digit

Issuing Statistics

1960:

unknown

1-digit

2-digit

Issuing Statistics

1961:

unknown

1-digit

Issuing Statistics

1962:

unknown

1-digit

2-digit

Issuing Statistics

1963:

unknown

1964 - 1971: "Beautiful" Slogan

1-digit

2-digit

3-digit

Issuing Statistics

1964:

D1 to D3-100

1-digit

2-digit

Issuing Statistics

1965:

D1 to D3-100

3-digit

Issuing Statistics

1966:

D1 to D3-500

1-digit

Issuing Statistics

1967:

D1 to D3-500

1-digit

2-digit

Issuing Statistics

1968:

D1 to D3-800

1,000 block

2,000 block

3,000 block

Issuing Statistics

1969:

D1-001 to D4-900

2,000 block

3,000 block

4,000 block

Issuing Statistics

1970:

D1-001 to D5-000

1,000 block

3,000 block

Issuing Statistics

1971:

D1-001 to D5-300

1965 - Big 'D' / Little 'D'

.Kind of sounds like a line from a Doctor Suess book doesn't it ("Big 'D' / Little 'D'")? What more can I say, other than something to look for if you are into collector oddball variations.

A great picture of a new 1964 Datsun with Dealer plate No. 372 being promoted with a backdrop of Vancouver complete with a Totem Pole and the Red Ensign!

1972 - 1978

2,000 block

3,000 block

4,000 block

Issuing Statistics

1972:

D1-001 to D5-500

5,000 block

1,000 block

4,000 block

Issuing Statistics

1973:

D1-001 to D5-500

5,000 block

6,000 block

7,000 block

Issuing Statistics

1974:

D5-001 to D9-000

9,000 block

3,000 block

4,000 block

Issuing Statistics

1975:

D1-001 to D7-000

6,000 block

7,000 block

10,000 block

11,000 block

12,000 block

13,000 block

Issuing Statistics

1976:

D10-001 to D23-000

14,000 block

16,000 block

17,000 block

18,000 block

19,000 block

20,000 block

21,000 block

22,000 block

23,000 block

Issuing Statistics

1977:

unknown

Issuing Statistics

1978:

unknown

1979 - 1986

53,000 Block

54,000 Block

Issuing Statistics

1979:

unknown

61,000 Block

64,000 Block

67,000 Block

70,000 Block

73,000 Block

74,000 Block

75,000 Block

1985 - present: Flag Graphic

Issuing Statistics

1985:	D0-0000 to D2-5499
1989:	D2-5500 to D2-9499
1990:	D2-9500 to D3-1899
1991:	D3-1900 to D3-4199
1992:	D3-4200 to D3-6549
1993:	D3-6550 to D3-8099
1994:	D3-8100 to D4-0099

Now, we all know that Demonstration plates are only issued as singles, which makes the plate shown above so interesting. The first plate in the series - "D0-0000" - is understood to have been issued to a Victoria area dealership in 1986 and displays the proper Astrographic dies for early issue plates (at left). However, another "D0-0000" plate is also known to exist in pristine, un-issued form (at right). What explains the two? Given the dealership only appears to have used the plate for one year, we wonder if ICBC required it be taken off the road, or if the Corporation used the opportunity of it not being renewed to reserve the number for themselves and to have an alternate plate made up for use in promotional material?

Quick Links:

Passenger Dealer | Motorcycle Dealer

Sources

Superintendent of Motor Vehicles, Annual Report, 1948-1973

1964 to 1971 Motorcycle Dealer plate from the collection of Greg Iverson