Unpaid Covid fines may lead to driver’s, vehicle licence denial

People who don’t pay their Covid-19 fines may not be able to get, or renew, a B.C. driver’s licence or vehicle licence under proposed new legislation.

The total amount of the 1,679 violation tickets processed by ICBC as of May 8, 2021, is $1,179,980, but only $172,825, or 14 per cent of the total, has been paid.

If passed, proposed changes to the Motor Vehicle Act will extend “refuse to issue” (RTI) restrictions to fines issued under the Emergency Program Act and COVID-19 Related Measures Act. People with outstanding fines will receive notice of the RTI from ICBC ahead of their driver’s licence expiry and vehicle license renewal. The changes will come into force on July 1, 2021.

“That small minority of persons who have been fined for violating the rules in place to protect us all are going to be held accountable for the debt they owe,” Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, said. “We’ve already moved up the deadline for sending unpaid Covid-19 fines to collections. Now, we’re going to refuse to issue offenders a driver’s licence or vehicle licence if they still won’t take their tickets seriously and pay up.”

British Columbians will still have payment options available to them:

* People with Covid-19 fines are able to request the court lower the fine if they lack the means to pay.

* Repayment arrangements can be requested and will be considered by ICBC depending on financial and hardship needs.

* RTI decisions can also be appealed to the superintendent of motor vehicles to be reviewed on any grounds including hardship.

Currently, RTI applies to various statutes such as the Motor Vehicle Act and the Liquor Control and Licensing Act. To obtain relief, a debtor must pay their outstanding fines in full or establish a suitable repayment arrangement.

In December 2020, government instructed ICBC to begin sending unpaid Covid-19 fines to a collection agency after 30 days when the dispute period has ended or the courts have confirmed guilt. Other unpaid violation ticket files typically go to collections after 12 months.

Click here for more information on provincial COVID-19 ticket types and fine amounts.