Discarding a vehicle

A vehicle is discarded when the owner no longer wishes to use it, most often after it has become unusable. Vehicle discarding is carried out through the SAAQ.

When a vehicle can no longer be used, as is the case for certain accident- or flood-damaged vehicles, or after a major breakdown that is too expensive to repair, it is best to discard the vehicle and cancel the registration.

Discarding a vehicle therefore means getting rid of it.

Discarding a vehicle is prohibited if:

• you have an unpaid fine and your driver's licence has been suspended
• the vehicle has been seized and impounded, e.g. because you were served a statement of offence for driving without a licence or for driving with a revoked licence
• an impoundment period is still in effect

• 1 Procedure to discard a vehicle

  Do you want to discard your co-owned vehicle? You can fill out the Designating a Registrant (Co-Owned Vehicles) form to designate a registrant. The vehicle will appear in the registrant’s file, enabling the registrant to discard the vehicle via SAAQclic.

  You may discard your vehicle:

  • online:
    • if the vehicle is registered to an individual: Discarding a Vehicle
    • if the vehicle is registered to a business: (in French only)
  • in person, at one of our service outlets

  Make sure you have the vehicle's registration certificate on hand.

  If you go to one of our service outlets, you must present your driver's licence or other official document with photo.

  If the vehicle is sent to a scrap metal dealer or a recycler, or if you are donating it to a foundation

  The scrap metal dealer, recycler or foundation will give you a receipt for you to keep. You will then have to discard the vehicle through our online services or by going to one of our service outlets. The vehicle will remain in your name and have a “discarded” status. 

  The dealer-recycler will give you an attestation of transaction,  which you must present at one of our service outlets. The ownership of the vehicle will then be transferred to the dealer-recycler. 

  If you cannot come to the service outlet yourself

  The person who will discard the vehicle in your place must bring one of the following documents completed by you:

  • the original copy of the Power of Attorney (PDF, 657.0 KB)⁠ form

         OR

  • the vehicle registration payment notice with the “VEHICLE DISCARDED” box checked off

  If the vehicle belongs to a business, the person acting on its behalf must bring one of the following documents:

  • the original copy of the document authorizing the person to act in that capacity

         OR

  • the vehicle registration payment notice with the “VEHICLE DISCARDED” box checked off

  What do you do with the licence plate?

  You must remove it from the vehicle. You can destroy it so that nobody can use it or keep it for up to 3 years to register a vehicle that requires a licence plate of the same category. Please note that you are responsible for the licence plate issued to you by the SAAQ and that it remains under your name.

  What do you do with your proof that the vehicle was discarded?

  Keep it. This is the new registration certificate you have been issued, marked “Mise au rancart” (discarded vehicle).

  What do you do if your licence plate is lost or stolen?

  You must report the lost or stolen licence plate to the SAAQ. For more information on the procedure to follow, refer to the Replacing a Licence Plate or Registration Certificate web page.

• 2 Reimbursement

  If you are entitled to a reimbursement of the registration fees, the amount is based on the date on which the vehicle was discarded.

  Registration fees are reimbursed either:

  • by cheque
  • by adjusting the amounts of the pre-authorized debits, if applicable
  • on the debit card, if the person who is discarding the vehicle is present
  • by issuing a credit note

• 3 Licensing a discarded vehicle for road use

  The vehicle must undergo a mandatory mechanical inspection. If the vehicle passes the inspection, you will be given a valid mechanical inspection certificate, which you must present during the transaction.