September 23, 1999
(Government Services and Lands)

Stolen or Wrecked Vehicles Identification Program

On October 1, Newfoundland and Labrador will become a partner in a national Wrecked and Stolen Vehicle Identification Program.

The program, designed to stop the sale of stolen vehicles and provide for the proper repair of damaged vehicles, was announced today by Ernie McLean, Minister of Government Services and Lands.

Beginning October 1, insurance companies, self-insured public or private organizations, and vehicle owners will be required to notify the Registrar of Motor Vehicles when automobiles have been determined to be salvage or non-repairable, or in other words, written off.

Mr. McLean said: "The department has received tremendous support from the Insurance Bureau of Canada, the Automobile Dealers Association, the RNC and the RCMP and I would like to thank all involved for their cooperation. These measures will, undoubtedly, make our highways safer and provide a greater level of protection to consumers."

The first objective of the program is to prevent what is commonly referred to as laundering of registrations. This happens when an individual purchases a wrecked vehicle from an insurance company, removes the vehicle serial number plate, and places it on a stolen vehicle. The individual then sells the vehicle in another province using fake sales documents. This results in the legal registration of a stolen vehicle.

The minister said that laundering of registrations is a multi-million dollar operation in Canada and all provinces have agreed to join forces to battle the problem. This program will result in the creation of a national database which will enable all jurisdictions to work cooperatively to stamp out this illegal activity.

"We are fortunate that laundering of registration is not a major problem in our province at this time. Hopefully, because of this program, it will never become one."

The second objective of the program is to identify vehicles which can or cannot be repaired.

Currently, there are no criteria to determine the extent to which a vehicle can be damaged and still be repaired for future road use. This program addresses that problem. It will also prevent an individual from making a vehicle out of several pieces of wreckage. For those vehicles capable of being rebuilt, there will be inspection criteria for the vehicle before it goes back on the road.

Individuals wishing to obtain further information on the stolen and wrecked vehicle program can obtain a brochure from their nearest Government Service Centre or motor registration office. Addresses are given below.

Media contact: Rick Callahan, Director of Communications, (709) 729-4860.

OFFICE LOCATIONS

Motor Registration Divisions

Brochures are also available at the following Government Service Centres:

1999 09 23 12:25 p.m.