Collisions, insurance and registration in Quebec

By the end of this topic you can

• You can follow the legal steps at the scene of a collision.
• You can say when police must be called.
• You can explain what the public plan covers and what private insurance covers.
• You can list the documents you must carry in the car.

What you need to know and understand

• A driver involved in a collision must stay at, or immediately return to, the scene and help anyone injured or whose property is damaged.
• If anyone is injured, the drivers involved must call the police.
• You must give your name, address, licence number, the owner's name and address, the insurance certificate and the plate number to police or the other party.
• If you hit an unattended vehicle, other property or an animal over 25 kg and cannot find the owner, report it to the nearest police station right away.
• The SAAQ public plan covers bodily injury for Quebecers anywhere in the world, regardless of fault.
• Every vehicle owner must carry private liability insurance for property damage, with a minimum of $50,000.
• You must carry the vehicle's registration certificate and the insurance certificate when driving.

At the scene: step by step

Leaving the scene without doing your duties is a serious offence that carries 9 demerit points, enough to revoke any novice licence many times over.

1. Stop safely, switch on your hazard lights and protect the scene if you can do so without danger.
2. Check for injuries. If anyone is hurt, call 911 and the police.
3. Help injured people as far as you safely can, without moving them unless they are in immediate danger.
4. Exchange the required details with the other driver or with police.
5. Note the time, place, weather and any witnesses, and take photos if it is safe.

Who pays for what

If you are injured, see a doctor and ask for the initial medical report, call the SAAQ to open a claim, and call your private insurer about damage to your vehicle. You have up to three years from the accident to claim from the SAAQ. Accidents at work go to the workplace safety board (CNESST) instead.

Damage to vehicles and other property is a matter for private insurance. Every owner must hold liability insurance of at least $50,000 for damage caused to others' property. Many drivers buy more, plus cover for their own vehicle.

Registration and papers in the car

A vehicle must be registered with the SAAQ before it can be driven on public roads, and registration is renewed and paid regularly. Whoever is driving must have the registration certificate (or an approved copy) and the insurance certificate on hand. Bring both, on paper, to your road test: the SAAQ asks for the signed registration certificate and a paper copy of proof of liability insurance.

Common mistakes

• Driving away after a minor bump because no one seems hurt. You must still stop and exchange details.
• Not calling police when someone has even a minor injury. It is required.
• Leaving a note on a parked car and driving off. If the owner cannot be found, report it to the nearest police station.
• Driving a family car without checking the registration and insurance certificates are inside.

Test yourself: Collisions, insurance and registration in Quebec

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Quebec’s mandatory driving course
• Exchanging a foreign licence in Quebec
• Learning to drive in Quebec