Canadian veteran licence plates

In Canada, motor vehicle licence plates are issued by the transportation department in each province and territory. They honour veterans by issuing a special type of licence plate that is available only to veterans. Between 2002 and 2005, a trend struck the licence authorities which prompted them to issue veteran licence plates. The only territory that does not have a veteran licence plate is Nunavut. A common feature of these veteran licence plate is the image of a red poppy or the word "veteran" (or both). Only veteran licence plates issued by the Northwest Territories do not have any of the features mentioned above.

Ontario
In Ontario, the Ministry of Transportation issued 27,000 veteran licence plates since 2003. Veterans can order a special licence plate with the format "000 VET" for display or gift purposes.

Québec
As of the 4th of May 2009, Québec now offers a veteran motorcycle plate.

Alberta
In Alberta, 15,750 veteran licence plates have been issued since 2005.

Eligibility
The licence plates are available to those who served in wartime as a member of Canadian Forces, the Commonwealth of Nations, or its wartime allies for at least three years. People who served on North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) missions, peacekeeping missions as members of the Canadian Forces or United Nations forces, or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are also eligible. They need to provide a Canadian Forces Certificate of Service and a Canadian Forces Identification Card as proof of service. Those who have served three years (may still be serving) can also apply.

In Provinces where the Royal Canadian Legion oversees the eligibility for a veteran's plates (e.g. Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Quebec, etc...). a reserve members time served is calculated based on 'paid days of service'. In provinces where eligibility is not determined by the Royal Canadian Legion (e.g. British Columbia & Manitoba), the 'three years' is calculated based a former reserve members span of service.

In British Columbia, veterans who operate trucks, vans, and motorcycle are also eligible to obtain a veteran licence plate in that province.