TC Design

Reference numbers

Owned by Tim Renczes (Unlicensed)
Nov 16, 2021
2 min read

Problem

The reference numbers provided by an application serve to:

  • confirm and uniquely identify transactions performed by users

  • allow for lookup of accounts/transactions for customer service

Solution

As much as possible, reference numbers should be prefixed or suffixed to allow for easier recognition of the number and help distinguish it from the plethora of reference numbers that exist in the world. From a support perspective, it’s easier to guide users to find the number on a web site, email, or other correspondence using the prefix. Any prefix/suffix used should be language-agnostic.

When referring to a reference number in a sentence, it should be displayed in brackets next to the reference. In a form, the number can break to the next line and be presented without brackets.

If a reference number needs to exceed 10 digits, spacing should be introduced to group the numbers for better readability and transcription.

Reference number

Format

Usage examples

Notes

Reference number

Format

Usage examples

Notes

Transport Canada account (10 digits)

TC{9999999999}

In a sentence:

Please provide your Transport Canada account number (TC99999999) so we may assist you as quickly as possible.

As a form label:

Transport Canada account number
TC9999999999

 

Registration # (10 digits)

C-{9999999999}

In a sentence:

Drone registration (C-9999999999) updated by Transport Canada
Immatriculation de drone (C-9999999999) mis-Ă -jour par Transports Canada

As a form label and in the context of a specific drone (such as when viewing a drone or on a certificate of registration for a specific drone:

Registration #:
C-9999999999

No d’immatriculation :
C-9999999999

 

 

Pilot certificate (10 digits)

PC{9999999999}

In a sentence:

Pilot Certificate - Advanced Operations (PC9999999999) issued by Transport Canada

Certificat de pilote - Opérations avancées (PC9999999999) délivré par Transports Canada

As a form label and in the context of a specific pilot certificate (such as when viewing the pilot certificate or on the legal pilot certificate):

Certificate number:
PC9999999999

No de certificat :
PC9999999999

 

Flight review (10 digits)

FR{9999999999}

In a sentence:

Flight review (FR9999999999)

As a form label:

Flight review #:
FR9999999999

No d'Ă©valuation en vol :
FR9999999999

 

Business number (9 digits)

English

BN{999999999}

French

NE{999999999}

Business number should be used in conjunction with a business legal and operating names (if available).

English
Acme Widgets - 9999999 Canada Inc. (BN848293849)

9999999 Canada Inc. (BN848293849)

French

Acme Widgets - 9999999 Canada Inc. (NE848293849)

9999999 Canada Inc. (NE848293849)

CRA’s business number comprises a 9 digit program account number, followed by a 2 character account type (RT/RP/RC/RM/RR/RZ), and 4 digit account reference.

Given the business number is all that’s required to identify the business, the last 6 characters/digits are not necessary.

Exams (10 digits)

Prefixes denote the type of exam taken

EB = Small Basic Exam
EA = Small Advanced Exam
EC = Complex Exam
EE = Flight Reviewer Exam

EB{9999999999}

EA{9999999999}

EC{9999999999}

EE{9999999999}

In a sentence:

Payment processed for a Small Basic Exam (EB9999999999)
Paiement traité pour un Examen de base (EB9999999999)

As a form label and in the context of a specific exam (such as the Exam results)

Exam number:
EB9999999999

No d’examen :
EB9999999999

 

Use when

  • Referring to or displaying reference numbers

 

TC Design