Alberta Regulation 60/2024 amends the Registry Service Charges Regulation (AR 183/2005) under the Government Organization Act. This amendment, made by the Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction via Ministerial Order (M.O. 1/2024), updates provisions regarding service charges for various registry services in Alberta. It introduces a more transparent and structured framework for fees that registry agents may charge for services such as driver’s licenses, vehicle registrations, and other government-related services. The aim is to clarify the fee structure, ensure uniformity, and provide special benefits for senior citizens, reflecting the provincial government’s efforts to modernize registry services.

The regulation establishes key definitions for terms like “Act,” referring to the Government Organization Act, and “agreement,” which refers to the contract between registry agents and the Minister. It also defines “service charge,” which refers to the fee a registry agent charges for performing a service, excluding merchant fees incurred through credit or debit card payments. The term “total fee” combines the service charge with any legislated fee required for a particular service, creating greater clarity for both agents and users of the system.

Registry agents are given the authority to set service charges for services they are authorized to perform, but these charges are capped according to the limits prescribed in Schedule 1 of the regulation. The regulation ensures consistency across the province by setting maximum fees for various services. For instance, operator’s license applications or renewals, depending on the duration (from 1 to 5 years), have maximum fees ranging from $10 to $13. Similarly, vehicle registration services and plate-related functions, such as transfers and replacements, are capped at $9 to $13. Other services, such as knowledge tests and licenses for driver examiners, are capped at fees between $9 and $25.

A significant feature of the amendment is its provision for fee reductions for individuals aged 65 and older. Seniors are entitled to a 25% reduction in the total fee for certain services, including those related to driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations. The reduction applies to various services regulated under the Operator Licensing and Vehicle Control Regulation, the Identification Card Regulation, the Marriage Act Regulation, and the Vital Statistics Ministerial Regulation.

The amendment also grants the Minister the authority to waive any fee or part of a fee if deemed appropriate, offering flexibility in fee assessments. This provision could provide financial relief for individuals facing exceptional circumstances.

Alberta Regulation 60/2024 aims to modernize registry service charges, introduce transparency in fee structures, and provide financial relief to senior citizens through fee reductions. This amendment is to demonstrate the government’s commitment to streamlining administrative processes and ensuring fair pricing for essential public services, particularly benefiting older Albertans.

Alberta (60/2024) April 17, 2024