Discarding a vehicle
ChangeA 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:
Dates to discard a motorcycle or snowmobile
To be entitled to a partial reimbursement of the registration fees, you must discard:
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:
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.
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.
The person who will discard the vehicle in your place must bring one of the following documents completed by you:
OR
If the vehicle belongs to a business, the person acting on its behalf must bring one of the following documents:
OR
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.
Keep it. This is the new registration certificate you have been issued, marked “Mise au rancart” (discarded vehicle).
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.
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:
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.
Last update: May 16, 2022
