SAAQ Vehicle Registration & Inspection 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In Quebec, which body is responsible for vehicle registration and issuing licence plates?
- Transport Canada
- The municipal government
- SAAQ (Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec) (Correct answer)
- The provincial police (SQ)
Correct answer: SAAQ (Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec)
The SAAQ is the Quebec government agency that handles all vehicle registration, licence plate issuance, and driver licensing.
Question 2: What is the purpose of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) in the context of Quebec vehicle registration?
- It identifies the insurance company
- It uniquely identifies the vehicle and links it to its registration record (Correct answer)
- It shows the vehicle's emissions rating
- It indicates the manufacturing plant's province
Correct answer: It uniquely identifies the vehicle and links it to its registration record
The VIN is a 17-character code that uniquely identifies each vehicle and is used by the SAAQ to link the vehicle to its registration, history, and ownership records.
Question 3: A Quebec resident buys a vehicle in another Canadian province. When must they register it in Quebec?
- Immediately upon crossing into Quebec
- Within 10 days of returning to Quebec
- Within 30 days of establishing residence or bringing the vehicle to Quebec (Correct answer)
- Within 6 months of the purchase date
Correct answer: Within 30 days of establishing residence or bringing the vehicle to Quebec
Vehicles brought into Quebec by residents must be registered in Quebec within 30 days of arrival or the owner establishing residency.
Question 4: What colour is the annual Quebec licence plate sticker typically associated with to indicate the registration period?
- The sticker is always white regardless of year
- The sticker colour rotates each year to help officers identify expired registrations at a glance (Correct answer)
- The sticker colour is chosen by the owner
- There is no colour system; only the date matters
Correct answer: The sticker colour rotates each year to help officers identify expired registrations at a glance
Quebec uses a rotating colour scheme for annual registration stickers so that law enforcement can quickly spot vehicles with expired registrations without reading the date.
Question 5: For which type of Quebec vehicle is a periodic mechanical inspection certificate (vignette mécanique) mandatory before it can be registered or re-registered?
- Any new vehicle straight from a dealer
- A used vehicle that has been out of Quebec registration for more than 1 year (Correct answer)
- Any vehicle under 3 years old
- Any vehicle owned by a government employee
Correct answer: A used vehicle that has been out of Quebec registration for more than 1 year
A vehicle that has had its Quebec registration lapsed for more than one year must pass a mandatory mechanical inspection before it can be re-registered.
Question 6: Which of the following modifications could require updating your vehicle's registration information with the SAAQ?
- Changing the vehicle's paint colour
- Converting the vehicle to run on natural gas or propane (Correct answer)
- Replacing the stereo system
- Installing new seat covers
Correct answer: Converting the vehicle to run on natural gas or propane
Major mechanical modifications such as converting a vehicle to an alternative fuel source must be declared to the SAAQ as they affect the vehicle's technical specifications on file.
Question 7: When transferring a vehicle title in Quebec, which tax must typically be paid to the SAAQ based on the greater of the sale price or the estimated value?
- Federal goods and services tax (GST) only
- Quebec sales tax (QST) on the transfer value (Correct answer)
- A flat $200 registration fee
- No tax is required for private sales
Correct answer: Quebec sales tax (QST) on the transfer value
When registering a vehicle transfer, the SAAQ collects Quebec Sales Tax (QST) calculated on the higher of the declared sale price or the vehicle's estimated value from their reference guide.
SAAQ Vehicle Registration & Inspection 3
In Quebec, which body is responsible for vehicle registration and issuing licence plates?