Collisions, insurance and registration in Nunavut

By the end of this topic you can

• You can list the steps the law requires after a collision.
• You can explain when a collision must be reported to the RCMP.
• You can explain the insurance and registration a vehicle needs.
• You can transfer plates and update registration on time.

What you need to know and understand

• You must stop, give reasonable help and stay at the scene until the formalities are done or police say you may leave.
• Exchange your name, address, licence number and vehicle ownership details with the other driver and anyone injured.
• Under the Traffic Safety Act, a collision that injures or kills someone, damages an unattended vehicle, or hits an animal or object in a way that leaves a danger must be reported to police.
• Drivers in a reportable incident must make a report to an officer under the Traffic Safety Act.
• Every registered vehicle must carry liability insurance; the manual sets a minimum of $200,000.
• Nunavut plates belong to the owner, not the vehicle, and must be re-registered within 14 days when moved to another vehicle.

At the scene

1. Stop safely, turn on hazard lights and check for injuries.
2. Give all reasonable help and call for medical help or police if needed.
3. Stay at the scene until the legal steps are complete or an officer lets you leave.
4. Exchange names, addresses, licence numbers, ownership and insurance details.
5. Note the time, place and weather, sketch the scene and get witnesses' names.
6. Do not argue about who was at fault.
7. Tell your insurance company as soon as you can.

Reporting to police

The Traffic Safety Act calls these reportable incidents: anyone injured or killed, a collision that leaves visible damage on an unattended vehicle, hitting an object or animal where there may be an ongoing danger to the public, or hitting an animal that probably has an owner. Section 262 requires each driver in a reportable incident to make a written report to an officer straight away, or an oral one if a written report is not possible. The older Nunavut Driver's Manual uses a $1,000 damage threshold, but the Act's list is the current rule. If you hit an unattended vehicle or property, you must also find the owner or leave a note with your details. If you are first on the scene of someone else's crash, pull off the road, use your flashers, help if you can and call police with accurate details.

Insurance

A registered vehicle must have liability insurance at all times. The manual sets the minimum policy at $200,000 and says proof of insurance is needed before you can register. Keep your insurance card and registration in the vehicle, as you must show them on request and on road test day.

Registration and plates

• Register at any issuing office; a new vehicle needs the bill of sale, the dealer's NVIS form and insurance.
• Renew registration every year before it expires and keep the sticker on the plate.
• Your polar-bear-shaped plate stays with you when you sell; move it to another vehicle only once it is insured, then re-register within 14 days.
• When buying a used vehicle, have the seller sign over the registration.
• Report a change of address or name within 15 days.
• New residents have 30 days to switch to Nunavut registration.

Common mistakes

• Leaving the scene to 'sort it out later'. You must stay until formalities are done.
• Admitting or arguing fault at the roadside. Stick to facts.
• Selling a car with your plates still on it. Remove and keep them.
• Letting insurance lapse while the vehicle is registered.

Test yourself: Collisions, insurance and registration in Nunavut

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

Go deeper

• Driving in Iqaluit and Nunavut
• How to Get a Driver’s Licence in Nunavut
• Nunavut impaired driving and zero tolerance for new drivers