Advertisement

B.C. to refuse driver’s licence renewals to people with unpaid COVID-19 fines

Click to play video: 'Unpaid COVID fines linked to B.C. driver’s licence'
Unpaid COVID fines linked to B.C. driver’s licence
People who don't pay their COVID-19 fines may be unable to obtain or renew a British Columbia driver's or vehicle licence under proposed legislation introduced Wednesday. Richard Zussman reports. – May 12, 2021

The B.C. government says people who don’t pay COVID-19-related fines could be refused driver’s or vehicle licences.

Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth announced the move Wednesday, which will be accomplished by amending the Motor Vehicle Act.

The change would empower ICBC to refuse to issue or renew licensing due to unpaid fines associated with B.C.’s Emergency Program Act and COVID-19 Related Measures Act.

Click to play video: 'B.C. considering new measures to collect unpaid COVID-19 fines'
B.C. considering new measures to collect unpaid COVID-19 fines

The province says the refusals would apply to all outstanding fines, and be applied retroactively. People with an outstanding fine would get a warning ahead of their driver’s licence expiry date, and would retain the right to appeal through the superintendent of motor vehicles.

Story continues below advertisement

The new enforcement is scheduled to begin on July 1.

The move comes as the province struggles to recoup fines issued to people caught violating COVID-19 restrictions.

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.

Get weekly health news

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

ICBC, which collects ticket fines on behalf of the provincial government, has processed 1,679 violation tickets so far, amounting to $1.17 million — just $172,825, or 14 per cent of that figure, has actually been paid.

In December, the province directed ICBC to send unpaid fines to collections as soon as their 30-day payment or dispute penalty ended.

Sponsored content

AdChoices