Beginning
June 30, 2000, a new Stolen and Wrecked
Vehicle Program will help make Nova Scotia's
roads safer and reduce auto theft.
What is the Stolen and
Wrecked Vehicle Program?
The Stolen and Wrecked Vehicle Program is a
national database designed to reduce auto theft,
track stolen vehicles, and improve road safety by
creating a registry of stolen and wrecked vehicles.
The program also ensures that if wrecked vehicles
are ever returned to the road, it is only after
meeting stringent safety requirements.
How does it work for
stolen vehicles?
For stolen vehicles, police report the theft to
the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) and the
database is updated to reflect this information. A
vehicle branded "stolen" on this database
can only be changed when the vehicle is recovered by
police. All provinces in Canada have access to this
database and can check the status of any vehicle.
How does it work for
wrecked vehicles?
For vehicles involved in accidents, information
is reported to the Insurance Bureau of Canada by insurance companies within five days
of an accident. Vehicle permits are then
permanently red-flagged, or branded. Once these vehicles
are back on the road, potential buyers will know
from the vehicle registration if it has been in a
major accident. Consumers can also be assured that it
is only after inspection requirements are met that rebuilt vehicles are allowed back on the road.
What does it mean when vehicles are branded?
Vehicles can be branded "stolen," "salvage,"
"non-repairable," or "rebuilt." Vehicles are recorded as "stolen" on a
national database after police report a car theft to the RMV. Vehicle registrations are marked "salvage"
or "non-repairable" depending on the extent
of damage from an accident. "Salvage" vehicles can
be rebuilt but must pass strict safety requirements.
Only then will the permit be changed to indicate
that the vehicle has been "rebuilt."
A "rebuilt" vehicle means the vehicle was
once "salvage" and has undergone some form of body
or structural repair. A vehicle branded "rebuilt"
has met safety requirements and passed inspection.
"Non-repairable" vehicles are not allowed back
on the road and their registrations cannot be upgraded.
They must be junked or sold as scrap or parts.
How do I know if a car I'm thinking
of buying has been branded?
For vehicles involved in accidents after June 21,
2000, the certificate of registration and permit will
include branding information. If you are considering
buying a used vehicle, you can check the registration
and/or permit to obtain this information. Consumers
then have the opportunity to ask the seller about
the extent of repairs.
Do I have to report damage to my vehicle after an accident?
If your vehicle is insured, your insurance company will report the damage to the
Insurance Crime Prevention Bureau. If you do not
have collision insurance you must complete a Damaged Vehicle Report and present it to an
RMV location within five days of the accident.
Damaged Vehicle Reports are available at RMV locations listed on the back of this brochure.
Important: You are still required to report to
the police any accident where there is personal injury
or damages exceeding $2,000.
What if I buy a car in another
province and register it in Nova Scotia?
The Stolen and Wrecked Vehicle Program is a national program where information is shared
by all provinces. For example, a vehicle
registration which has already been branded "salvage"
in one province will still be branded "salvage"
in another province.
How do I change the brand of a
car from "salvage" to "rebuilt"?
If you purchase a salvage vehicle, it can be transferred into your name, but the
vehicle cannot be operated on the road until it
has completed and passed the safety inspection process. Contact an RMV location
listed in this brochure or call 424-5851 or toll free
1-800-898-7668 for more information.
Can a vehicle branded as
"non-repairable" be rebuilt
and registered?
No, a "non-repairable" vehicle can
never return to the road. It must be used for parts
or sold as scrap. How do I "junk" an aged vehicle
that is no longer safe for operation?
You are required to complete a Damaged Vehicle Report and file it with an RMV
location. The vehicle will be branded
according to the information provided on the report.
How will this program help
prevent auto theft?
Once police report a stolen vehicle to the RMV, this information is
recorded in a national database. If a stolen vehicle is moved
to another province to be registered, the national database is checked and the vehicle
identification number is red-flagged as "stolen." The vehicle cannot be registered and
police are notified.
Where can I get
more information?
You can visit any one of the RMV offices throughout the province.
You can also call 424-5851 or toll free1-800-898-7668.
Vehicle Registration and Plates Information Index
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