VIN and Plate Now Required in Offences

Bill 34, VIN and Plate Now Required in Offences, the bill would require two IDs, VIN and license plate, for some highway offence records and salvage dealer files. It received royal assent on June 12, 2026. Sponsored by Aaron Kennedy (Liberal).

Status
Royal Assent · June 12, 2026
Sponsor
Full Title:
An Act Respecting the Highway Act and the Salvage Dealers Licensing Act

Summary#

Bill 34 would make two narrow changes to New Brunswick laws about vehicle identification. It would require both a vehicle identification number (VIN) and a licence plate number in certain highway offence evidence and salvage dealer records. The bill appears intended to make it easier to match a vehicle to an alleged offence and to improve vehicle records kept by salvage dealers.

  • For some highway offence certificates, the vehicle must have the same VIN and licence plate number as the vehicle linked to the alleged offence.
  • The change would replace the current reference to a vehicle’s “registration number” with both its VIN and licence plate number.
  • Salvage dealers would have to record both numbers under the affected licensing rule.
  • The source material shows that the bill was introduced at first reading on May 5, 2026. It does not show that it has become law.
  • No other changes are identified in the supplied material.

What it means for you#

  • Vehicle owners and drivers: The bill could make vehicle identity checks more precise when a highway offence is documented through a certificate. A match would require both the VIN and the licence plate number.
  • People involved in highway offence cases: The bill may affect how certain certificates are used as evidence to identify the vehicle connected to an alleged offence. The supplied material does not explain how this would affect a particular case or defence.
  • Salvage dealers: Dealers would need to record both the VIN and the vehicle’s licence plate number instead of only a registration number, if the bill becomes law.
  • Government and enforcement agencies: Agencies may need to update forms, record systems, or procedures to collect and use both identifiers.
  • Timing: The bill was only shown as introduced at first reading. It would need to pass the required legislative steps and receive approval before taking effect.

Expenses#

No direct public cost estimate is provided in the supplied material.

  • Government agencies may face administrative or system-update costs, but no estimate is available.
  • Salvage dealers may need to change record-keeping practices or systems. The bill does not provide a cost estimate.
  • No new fee, fine, tax, or penalty is identified.
  • No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

The bill appears intended to improve the accuracy of vehicle identification.

  • Requiring both the VIN and licence plate number could reduce confusion between vehicles with similar or changing registration details.
  • More complete records could help salvage dealers and authorities track vehicles more accurately.
  • Using two identifiers in highway offence evidence could provide a clearer link between the certificate and the vehicle involved.
  • The supplied material does not include statements from supporters or a government explanation of the bill’s expected benefits.

Opponents' View#

The supplied material does not identify specific critics or objections. Possible questions include:

  • The bill does not explain how agencies and salvage dealers would update their systems or records.
  • It is unclear whether the change would create added costs or work for salvage dealers.
  • The bill does not state what would happen if a VIN or licence plate number is missing, recorded incorrectly, or changed after an alleged offence.
  • Because the bill changes how vehicle identity is established in certain evidence, it may raise questions about how errors would be corrected. The supplied material does not address this.