Sample license plates are generally manufactured by the issuing authority (i.e. ICBC) as an example/specimen to be used by various law enforcement and government authorities to familiarize themselves with that jurisdictions current issue. Usually, for a small fee these plates are also made available to collectors.

1924

In British Columbia, the earliest known example of a Sample License Plate is 1924. From this point, there is a known plate for every year of manufacture. The serial used on the plates consistently followed the 00-000 format, except from 1931 (possibly 1930) to 1933, and 1950-1951 when a six-digit 000-000 was employed.

1976

From 1955 through to 1969 the 000-000 format would again be used. In 1970, with the introduction of an alpha-numeric serial, a Sample plate with "1970" was issued followed by plates with the word "SAM-000" from 1971 through to 1978.

1979

With the introduction of a new base plate in 1979, sample plates began to be issued in the now familiar "SAMPLE" format. Just as in 1973, when a new base plate was issued, no validation decal was made for 1979, however, there are prototypes of the 1980 decal with the 1979 date known to exist. If there can be said to be an official 1979 Sample plate, it is generally ackowldeged to be the undated 1979 base pictured at left.

(Astrographics Souvenir)

In 1985, when the province introduced the new "Flag" graphic, a Souvenir plate stamped in the format of a Truck plate with a "BC-0000" serial was made available to collectors for a modest fee (until being discontinued in 2002).

(Astrographics Sample)

Unfortunately, this plate has widely been misinterpreted as the official "SAMPLE" plate issued by British Columbia during this time frame. In actuality, however, ICBC still issued Sample plates with the word "SAMPLE" to other issuing authorities (and examples of these have subsequently made their way into the hands of collectors).

Recently, and due to concerns surrounding the ambiguity of the "BC-0000" type as an easily identifiable Souvenir plate in other jurisdictions, ICBC made the decision to phase it out as of November 2002. In its place, collectors may now order genuine "SAMPLE" plates (sample decals are not available) from the Corporation for a fee of $21.50 CDN (GST included); payment must be made by certified cheque. The rise in price from the previous $10.70 CDN for the Souvenir plate reflects increased manufacturing and mailing costs. The new Samples will display Waldale dies.

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