Frequently Asked Questions

Contents

1. What are your business hours? What is your mailing address?
2. What is the best time to come to your office?
3. What is your phone number?
4. What is the rate of tax and how much is the transfer fee?
5. Do I need an inspection to transfer my vehicle?
6. How do I give a vehicle to a family member? Do I need to get a vehicle inspection when transferring a vehicle that was a gift?
7. I am moving to Newfoundland from another province. How do I change over my licence and register my vehicle? How long before I must change everything over?
8. How do I licence a home made trailer?
9. How do I get a beginner's permit?
10. How long does it take to do a photo licence? Do I get it right away?
11. I need a driver's abstract. How do I get one?
12. How can I pay for my driver's licence/vehicle registration?
13. Can I pay traffic fines at Motor Registration?
14. If I renew my vehicle registration after it has expired, why isn't my registration effective from the month I pay it?

1. What are your business hours? What is your mailing address?

Please see Motor Registration Division Locations page.

2. What is the best time to come to your office?

At any time, but try to avoid the last 2 days of the month and the first 2 days of the next month. These are peak periods and you may have to wait.

3. What is your phone number?

Please see Motor Registration Division Locations page.

4. What is the rate of tax and how much is the transfer fee?

The current tax rate is 14% and the transfer fee is $25.

5. Do I need an inspection to transfer my vehicle?

Yes, if the vehicle registration is valid or you intend to renew the vehicle registration at time of transfer. The following vehicles do not require an inspection at the time of transfer: motorcycles, public buses, school buses, commercial vehicles (exceeding 4500 kg), taxis or disabled passenger vehicles.

6. How do I give a vehicle to a family member? Do I need to get a vehicle inspection when transferring a vehicle that was a gift?

A statement that a vehicle is a gift, indicating the licence plate number or serial (VIN) number of the vehicle, the relationship of parties involved and the date of gift is required. A vehicle transferred from one person to another within the immediate family is not subject to tax if the recipient falls within the definition of "immediate family".

An inspection certificate is not required upon transfer of a gift.

Immediate Family

• husband-wife
• common law spouse ¹
• father-mother
• son-daughter ²
• sister-brother
• grandparents
• grandchildren
• any in-law relationship ³

¹ Must be living together for minimum of 12 months. Includes same sex partners.
² Includes step children.
³ Including common law.

7. I am moving to Newfoundland from another province. How do I change over my licence and register my vehicle? How long before I must change everything over?

New Residents are required to register their vehicles within 30 days of entry into the Province. The driver's licence must be transferred within 90 days.

You must provide the vehicle registration certificate and/or driver's licence from your previous jurisdiction.

If your vehicle was previously registered outside of Canada you must also produce a Canada Customs Clearance.

If you are the holder of a valid driver's licence from outside Canada or the United States you may be required to complete a written, vision and road test.

Please check with the nearest Motor Registration Office in your area for further information.

8. How do I licence a home made trailer?

You must complete a declaration that you have built the trailer and have paid taxes on parts used to construct the trailer. Motor Registration Divsion has the necessary forms that can be completed by you. The registration fee is $38.

9. How do I get a beginner's permit?

You must

• be at least 16 years of age
• complete a written test of knowledge of rules of the road and traffic signs
• pass a vision screening to ensure vision meets provincial standards
• have your birth or baptismal certificate with you when you write the test
• have your parent or guardian sign the consent form if you are under 19 years of age.
• pay a $40 permit fee.

10. How long does it take to do a photo licence? Do I get it right away?

It will take less than 5 minutes from the time your application is received by the clerk. Your driver's licence is issued to you immediately.

11. I need a driver's abstract. How do I get one?

Drivers' abstracts may be obtained from: Motor Registration Division, Driver Records Section PO BOX 8710, St. John's, NL., A1B 4J5 or call (709) 729- 0105.

Information Required

• Surname and Given Name(s)
• Newfoundland and Labrador driver's licence number or date of birth
• Mailing address or fax number (including area code) where you would like the driver's abstract returned.

Fee

$10.00

12. How can I pay for my driver's licence/vehicle registration?

You can pay by one of the following

• Cheque or money order made payable to the Newfoundland Exchequer; or
• Visa or MasterCard. Please include card number, expiry date by month and year, Authorization to deduct fees from credit card and signature of card holder.
• If you pay in person you may also pay by debit card.

13. Can I pay traffic fines at Motor Registration?

If the fines are on your record you can pay them at Motor Registration. Otherwise, you will have to pay them at the nearest Provincial Court or Traffic Court in St. John's.

14. If I renew my vehicle registration after it has expired, why isn't my registration effective from the month I pay it?

The vast majority of vehicle registrations that are expired for less than three months are for vehicles that have been in use during that time, but owners have overlooked the expiry date. For that reason, the original expiry date is kept to encourage prompt payment. A new expiry date is given if the vehicle registration is renewed after three months and beyond.

For example, a vehicle registration that expired Dec. 31, 2004 would still receive a one-year expiry date of Dec. 31, 2005 even if it wasn't renewed until January, February or March 2005. If renewed in April 2005, the 12 months includes the month indicated on the sticker so the expiry date will be March 31, 2006. Vehicle owners are reminded that it is illegal to operate a vehicle without a valid registration.