SAAQ: suspension of certain services for another 3 weeks

An IT transformation that aims to offer easy-to-use and secure online services to the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) has been underway since last Thursday, but it involves the suspension of several common services.

For example, no vehicle can be registered until Feb. 19. The service for obtaining a winter tire exemption certificate is suspended, as are those for storing or discarding a vehicle.

Quebecers who need to replace or renew their health insurance card cannot do so at the SAAQ until Feb. 20. They must therefore contact the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ).

Vehicle seizure release requests will not be processed until Feb. 20. If a request cannot wait until that date, the applicant must apply to the Court of Quebec.

When buying a vehicle, merchants provide a transaction certificate which will allow the vehicle to be registered at a service point from Feb. 20. Temporary registration certificates allow circulation until then.

On the other hand, several services deemed essential by the SAAQ are maintained during the transition period, including the replacement of a lost or stolen driver’s licence, practical examinations, mechanical inspections and inspections of road vehicles, as well as the technical expertise.

The SAAQ ensures that as of Feb. 20, Quebecers will be able to obtain new and improved services online. By then, more than 10 billion pieces of data need to be converted.

Service centres remain open.

—This report by La Presse Canadienne was first published in French and translated by CityNews