Quebec to Send Licence and Registration Reminders

Summary#

This Quebec bill would require the SAAQ (the provincial agency for driver’s licences and vehicle registration) to send payment reminders. The goal is to help people keep their right to drive and to use their vehicle by reminding them 30 days before fees are due. It also adds a defense for certain tickets if the SAAQ failed to send the reminder.

• The SAAQ must send a payment notice to vehicle owners 30 days before registration-related fees are due.
• The SAAQ must send a payment notice to driver’s licence holders (including restricted licences) 30 days before licence fees are due.
• The SAAQ decides the format and content of these notices.
• If the SAAQ did not send the required notice, a person cannot be found guilty of offences tied to expired registration or an invalid licence for unpaid fees.
• The law takes effect on the date it receives official assent.

What it means for you#

• Vehicle owners

  • You should get a reminder from the SAAQ 30 days before your registration or related fees are due.
  • If you get a ticket for expired registration and can prove the SAAQ did not send the reminder, you cannot be found guilty of that offence.
  • You still need to pay your fees to keep your right to drive your vehicle on the road.

• Drivers (including restricted licences)

  • You should get a reminder 30 days before your driver’s licence fees are due.
  • If you are ticketed for driving without a valid licence because fees were unpaid, and you can prove the SAAQ did not send the reminder, you cannot be found guilty of that offence.
  • This does not excuse other reasons a licence could be invalid (like suspensions for safety or criminal reasons).

• Police and enforcement

  • Day-to-day rules do not change, but some tickets may be challenged if a driver shows the SAAQ failed to send the notice.

• SAAQ (the provincial agency)

  • Must set up and run a reminder system and keep records that notices were sent.

• Courts

  • May need to consider evidence about whether the SAAQ sent a notice in some ticket cases.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• Reminders are a simple fairness measure that helps people avoid missing payments by accident.
• More people will keep valid registration and licences, which supports road safety and insurance rules.
• Fewer surprise tickets, tows, or court cases for people who simply forgot or never got a bill.
• Holds the SAAQ accountable for notifying the public before taking away the right to drive or circulate a vehicle.
• Could improve on-time payments because people are prompted ahead of the deadline.

Opponents' View#

• Adds administrative costs and workload for the SAAQ to create, send, and track notices.
• May weaken personal responsibility by encouraging people to rely on reminders.
• Could lead to more disputes in court about whether a notice was sent, slowing down cases.
• Might reduce ticket revenue tied to expired registration or licence fees and complicate enforcement.
• If proof about sending notices is hard to verify, cases could become more complex.