Damaged vehicles
New requirement before submitting severely damaged vehicles for technical appraisal
As of January 1, 2025, when rebuilders submit their vehicle for a technical appraisal, they will be required to present proof that the vehicle’s advanced driver assistance systems have been recalibrated. For additional information, please visit our Severely Damaged and Rebuilt Vehicles web page.
A temporary registration certificate can be obtained when a vehicle must undergo a dynamic recalibration of its advanced driver assistance systems. For more information, please visit our Temporary Registration web page.
Irreparable, severely damaged, flood-damaged or rebuilt vehicle?
When an insurer declares that a damaged vehicle is a total loss, the vehicle may be assigned a specific status.
A vehicle is assigned “irreparable” status when it:
- has been flooded
- has been damaged to the point where it cannot be rebuilt or the extent of the damage cannot be assessed
- has a monocoque body whose compartment floor or front bulkhead has been damaged following a collision, a fire or an immersion and cannot be repaired
- has been imported and its vehicle record, title of ownership or registration certificate indicates that it is irreparable
- has been identified as a vehicle that should be prohibited from operation indefinitely
A motorcycle is declared irreparable when:
- its chassis must be replaced following a collision, a fire or an immersion
If a vehicle has been declared irreparable
- It can never be put back into operation.
- It can only be towed or transported if it needs to be moved.
- It can only be used for parts.
- In the case of a flood-damaged vehicle, only some parts may be reused. For more information, visit our Flood-Damaged Road Vehicles web page.
“Irreparable” status
When a vehicle is declared “irreparable” by the owner, the insurer or an administrative authority in Québec or elsewhere, this status appears on the vehicle record and registration certificate.
A vehicle is assigned “severely damaged” status when it is so severely damaged that it must be rebuilt.
Until it is rebuilt, a severely damaged vehicle:
- cannot be put into operation
- cannot be driven on public roads
- can only be towed or transported if it needs to be moved
“Severely damaged” status
When a vehicle is declared “severely damaged” by the owner, the insurer or an administrative authority in Québec or elsewhere, this status appears on the vehicle record and registration certificate.
A vehicle is assigned “rebuilt” status when it has been rebuilt after being severely damaged and has been declared roadworthy following a technical appraisal and a mechanical inspection, both of which are conducted by one of our road vehicle inspection agents.
Please see the procedures for putting a rebuilt vehicle back into operation.