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Frequently Asked Questions
Registration
- Can I keep my Manitoba registration if I am attending school outside Manitoba?
- As a new resident to Manitoba, when do I have to obtain a Manitoba registration?
- Can I get a history of a vehicle I am considering buying?
- What documentation is a dealer required to provide a buyer at the time of sale?
- What documents will I need to register a used car or truck I purchase privately?
- If I bought a used vehicle from a dealer and I believe the Certificate of Inspection does not accurately state the vehicles condition, what can I do?
- What information must the dealer give me?
- How much do personalized licence plates cost?
- How long does it take to get a personalized licence plate?
- How long is my personalized licence plate good for?
Other Vehicle-Related Questions
- What can I use a repairer plate for?
- My vehicle insurer has written off my motor vehicle but I want to keep it. What should I know before making the decision?
- Is the body integrity inspection required for all written off vehicles?
- How can I make sure that the vehicle I am buying hasn't been stolen?
- What if I have a safety inspection certificate from another jurisdiction?
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If you need an answer to a question that has not been included in the Questions & Answers you can fill out the General Inquiries form.
Please note that only questions of general nature can be answered.
Can I keep my Manitoba registration if I am attending school outside Manitoba?
You need to contact the licensing authority of that jurisdiction to determine if they allow you to operate a vehicle with a valid Manitoba registration.
As a new resident to Manitoba, when do I have to obtain a Manitoba registration?
You have up to three months to register your vehicle and obtain Autopac insurance for the remainder of the current registration year. Until then, your vehicle must be currently registered in the jurisdiction you came from. This three-month grace period applies to non-commercial vehicles (vehicles not used for business purposes). You can register and insure your vehicle at any insurance agency offering Autopac services.
Can I get a history of a vehicle I am thinking of buying?
We will tell you the number of owners and current status of any Manitoba registered vehicle. No personal information will be given. If the vehicle was last registered in another province, we will provide the name of the province/territory and any status shown by that province.
For more information on how to check Canada-wide records, call Vehicle Searches at (204) 985-1999 in Winnipeg. Outside Winnipeg, call 1-866-489-5749.
You can also find out about any liens from the Personal Property Registry by phoning (204) 945-3123.
For historical write-off information:
Phone: In Winnipeg, (204) 985-7000;
Outside Winnipeg toll-free, 1-800-665-2410
Deaf access TTY/TDD, 985-8832.
What documentation is a dealer required to provide a buyer at the time of sale?
A dealer must issue the buyer a sales or lease agreement, a Certificate of Inspection, a Transfer of Ownership Document, and an RT14 (proof of payment of retail sales tax). For new vehicles never before registered, the dealer must issue a New Vehicle Information Statement (N.V.I.S.) in lieu of the Certificate of Inspection.
What documents will I need to register a used car or truck I purchased privately?
When you buy a vehicle privately in Manitoba, you will need these documents to register the vehicle and get Autopac coverage:
- A valid, in-force Certificate of Inspection (COI)
- A completed and signed Transfer of Ownership Document (TOD)
- A bill of sale signed by the seller and the purchaser with the year, make, model and serial number of the vehicle, the price you paid for it and the date you bought it
For most vehicles, a COI is valid for one year from the date it was issued. This means that if the vehicle was inspected within the last year, a new COI isn't necessary to register the vehicle after you've bought it. You'll find information about the vehicle's inspection status on the front of the vehicle registration card, at the bottom right corner.
CLICK HERE for more information on buying a vehicle privately.
If I've bought a used vehicle from a dealer and I believe the Certificate of Inspection does not accurately state the vehicle's condition, what can I do?
If you are buying a used vehicle, we recommend that it be fully inspected by your mechanic prior to purchase. If the vehicle does not meet required standards, contact the Vehicle Standards and Inspections Section for an assessment of your vehicle's condition. If you have a valid complaint, the complaint will be referred to a dealer inspector for further action.
What information must the dealer give me?
The Certificate of Inspection will provide you with information about the current condition of the vehicle's safety components. The Transfer of Ownership Document will identify if the vehicle has been declared a total loss by an insurer (since November 1, 1997). The dealer may also have to provide other information such as financing disclosure and other contractual matters.
How much do personalized licence plates cost?
The charge for a personalized licence plate is $100.00 plus GST. This is a one-time charge for the life of the current plate issue. If you need a replacement of your personalized licence plate, the charge is $25.00 plus GST. Cheques are to be made payable to Manitoba Public Insurance. The completed application and payment should be sent to:
Manitoba Public Insurance
Personalized Licence Plates
Box 6300
100-234 Donald Street
Winnipeg, MB R3C 4A4
How long does it take to get a personalized licence plate?
Your plates will be mailed to you within six to 10 weeks.
How long is the slogan on my personalized licence plate valid?
You keep the right to your slogan for the life of the current plate issue. We have the right to recall any plate deemed to be objectionable.
What can I use a repairer plate for?
A repairer plate may be used by the repairer to pick up or return a customer's vehicle, test drive the vehicle, or move the vehicle from one location to another in connection with the repairs.
My vehicle insurer has written off my motor vehicle but I want to keep it. What should I know before making the decision?
If your insurer has indicated your vehicle is "irreparable", it can never be registered again. It can only be used as a source of parts or scrap metal. If your insurer brands it "salvageable", it could be registered again once its status has been changed to "rebuilt". To obtain a rebuilt status, the vehicle must pass a body integrity (primary) inspection followed by a mechanical fitness (secondary) inspection. These inspections may be performed by any vehicle inspection facility authorized to perform these types of inspections. These stations include repair facilities accredited by Manitoba Public Insurance for body and frame repair or shops specializing in frame or motorcycle repair.
Is the body integrity inspection required for all written-off vehicles?
No. The body integrity inspection is required only for those vehicles which have a status of "salvageable". Mopeds, mobility vehicles, tractors, trailers and snow vehicles are exempt. "Salvageable" written-off vehicles cannot be registered until their status has been changed to "rebuilt". This means the vehicle has been repaired using approved I-CAR or original equipment manufacturer techniques and has been certified roadworthy by an approved inspection facility. (I-CAR refers to Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair.)
How can I make sure that the vehicle I am buying hasn't been stolen?
Vehicles reported as stolen to police agencies are entered on a Canadian national monitoring system. This is linked to Manitoba's computerized registration system, which records the vehicle identification number on any stolen vehicle. There is a $10.00 charge for determining if a particular vehicle has been stolen. For more information contact Searches at (204) 985-1999 or toll-free 1-800-489-5749.
What if I have a vehicle safety inspection certificate from another jurisdiction?
A valid vehicle safety inspection certificate from another jurisdiction will be honoured for the lesser of the period of validity identified on the certificate or two years from the date of its issue. In addition, if you bought the vehicle outside Canada, you must contact the Registrar of Imported Vehicles - www.riv.ca before bringing it into Canada
