This archived statute consolidation is current to August 3, 2012 and includes changes enacted and in force by that date. For the most current information, click here.
This Act has "Not in Force" sections. See the Table of Legislative Changes.

Motor Vehicle Act

[RSBC 1996] CHAPTER 318

Contents
  1 Definitions
Part 1
  2 Application of Act
  3 Registration, licence and insurance
  3.1 Exemptions – registration, licence and insurance
  4 Restriction on registration
  5 Repealed
  6 Payment of premium
  7 Underage applicants
  8 Licences for farm tractors
  9 Special licence for motor vehicles used in industry
  10 Special licence for tractors, etc.
  11 Carrying of licence
  12 Number plates
  13 Offences
  14 Change of address or name
  15 Notice of change made in motor vehicle
  16 New vehicle identification numbers
  17 Transfer of motor vehicle
  17.1 Irreparable and salvage vehicles
  18 Transfer on death if estate small
  19 Registration of dissolved company suspended
  20 Notice of removal or destruction of motor vehicle
  21 Registration of foreign motor vehicles and trailers
  22 Reciprocal arrangements
  23 Classes of drivers' licences
  24 Offences
  25 Application for licence
  25.01 Retention or seizure of records
  25.1 Remedial courses and programs for drivers
  26 Refusal to issue a licence, permit, etc.
  26.1 Cancellation of driver's licence
  27 Short term driver's licence
  28 Inspection of vehicles and refusal to issue licence
  28.1 Not in force. Repealed.
  28.2 Inspection of vehicles and refusal of licence or permit
  28.3 Refusal to issue licence and plates for irreparable and salvage vehicles
  29 Examination of licensees
  30 No refund for driver's licence fee
  31 Change of address or name
  32 Application for minor's licence
  33 Production of licence and liability card, duplicates
  34 Exemption of non-resident and new resident drivers
  35 Repealed
  36 Municipal chauffeur permits
  37 Employment of unlicensed driver
  38 Demonstration licence
  39 Inspections respecting demonstration licences
  40 Refund of fees
  41 Transporters' licences
  42 Manufacturer's licence
  43 Operation of motor vehicle by customer
  44 Repairer's licence
  45 Operation of demonstration cars by written consent
  46 Offences
  47 Pollution control devices on motor vehicles
  48 Renewal of motor vehicle licence and air pollution emission
  49 Regulation of motor vehicle air pollution emission
  50 Motor vehicle compliance with exhaust emission standards
  51 Substitution of new licence if number plate or badge lost
  52 Carrying of revenue receipt in place of licence
  53-55 Repealed
  56 Letting vehicles for hire
  57 Used vehicle records and plates
  58 Removal or obliteration of engine or vehicle identification number prohibited
  59 Offence
  60 Term and duration of licences
  61 Cancellation of driver's licence
  62 Fees
  63 Rebate of part of licence fees
  64 Recovery of licence fees
  65 Accounting
  66 Persons authorized to take affidavits
  67 Repealed
  68 Duty of driver at accident
  69 False statements, misuse of number plates, licence, identification card or permit
  70 Use of another's licence or permit; failure to permit inspection
  71 Production of motor vehicle licences
  72 Transporting animals
  73 Failing to stop and state name
  74 Alteration and use of fictitious number plates or documents
  75 General offence
  76 No suspended sentence where minimum punishment
  77 Application of fines
  78 Limitation of actions
  79 Arrest without warrant
  80 Onus of proof of licence
  81 Evidence of licence or permit
  82 Records and proof
  82.1 Electronic records
  83 Liability of owner for contravention of Act
  83.1 Liability of owner for speeding and traffic light violations
  83.2 Certificate as evidence
  84 Duty to give information
  85 Offence
  86 Responsibility of owner or lessee in certain cases
  87 Liability of partners
  88 Liability of licensees for offences of employees
Part 2 — Suspensions of Licences and Prohibitions from Driving
  89 Deemed suspension
  90 Suspension and cancellation of vehicle licences, etc.
  90.1-90.2 Not in force. Repealed.
  90.3 12 hour suspension
  90.4 Driving while suspended
  91 Prohibition against driving if there is an unsatisfied judgment
  92 Prohibition against driving relating to fitness or ability to drive
  93 Prohibition against driving by superintendent
  93.1 Access to driving records
  93.2 Notification by superintendent of prohibition action
  94 Appeal of prohibition against driving
  94.1 Notice of driving prohibition
  94.2 Effect of notice of driving prohibition
  94.3 Duties of peace officer
  94.4 Review of driving prohibition
  94.5 Considerations
  94.6 Decision of the superintendent
  95 Driving while prohibited
  96 Driver to surrender licence
  97 Notice of prohibition
  97.1 Driver's licence forwarded to the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia
  97.2 Amount payable to reinstate driver's licence
  98 Court prohibition against driving
  99 Automatic prohibition against driving on conviction
  100 Prohibition against driving for failing to stop
  101 Stay of prohibition against driving
  102 Driving while prohibited by court order or operation of law
  103 Deemed prior convictions
  104 Reporting conviction or judgment
  104.1 to 105.95 Repealed
  106 Proof of financial responsibility
  107 Service of unlicensed insurer
  108 Notice to insurer
  109 Implied covenant
  110 Default of insurer
  111 Issue of financial responsibility card
  112 Cancellation of financial responsibility card
  113 Garage and sales agency policy
  114 Return of security given in proof
  115 Information to be furnished by Insurance Corporation of British Columbia
  116 Certified abstract
  116.1 Director of Commercial Vehicle Safety and staff
  117 Superintendent may delegate
  118 Appointment of superintendent and staff
Part 2.1 — Appeals and Show Cause Hearings
  118.1 Definitions
  118.2 Superintendent may assign appeal officers
  118.3 Jurisdiction
  118.4 Right to show cause to the superintendent against certain proposed actions
  118.5 Show cause procedure
  118.6 Show cause hearing decisions
  118.7 Right of appeal — certain other decisions
  118.8 Appeal procedure
  118.9 Written submissions
  118.91 Powers of superintendent on an appeal
  118.92 Regulations
  118.93 Repealed
Part 2.2 — Show Cause Hearings and Reconsiderations about Commercial Motor Vehicles
  118.94 Definitions
  118.95 Suspensions
  118.96 Cancellations and restrictions
  118.97 Right to show cause and request for reconsideration
  118.98 General reconsideration power of the director
  118.99 Show cause hearings and reconsiderations
  118.991 Direction to cancel commercial vehicle licences and permits
  118.992 Power to make regulations
Part 3
  119 Definitions
  120 Application
  121 Construction and maintenance vehicles
  122 Exemption for emergency vehicles
  123 Police traffic direction
  124 Municipal powers
  124.1 Not in force
  124.2 Additional municipal powers
  125 Obeying traffic controls
  125.1 Traffic control signals inoperative
  126 Traffic control signals
  127 Green light
  128 Yellow light
  129 Red light
  130 Arrows
  131 Flashing lights
  132 Pedestrian controls
  133 Pedestrian controlled signal
  134 Lane direction control signals
  135 Obstruction of signal prohibited
  135.1 Prohibition against obstruction of traffic light safety devices
  136 Commercial advertising
  137 Altering signal
  138 Work in progress
  139 Erection of speed sign
  140 Obedience to speed signs
  141 Obeying flagger
  141.1 Obeying traffic control person
  142 Removal of temporary sign
  143 Newly painted lines
  144 Careless driving prohibited
  145 Slow driving
  146 Speed limits
  147 Schools and playgrounds
  148 Excessive speeding
  148.1 Fines for speeding offences
  149 Meeting school bus
  150 Driver on right
  151 Driving on laned roadway
  152 High occupancy vehicle lane
  153 Bus lane
  153.1 Designated use highway
  153.2 Designated use lane
  154 Passing when meeting vehicle
  155 Highway lines
  156 Suspension of sections 151 and 155
  157 Duty when overtaking
  158 Passing on right
  159 Passing on left
  160 Clear view on passing
  161 Obedience to traffic control devices
  162 Following too closely
  163 Divided highways
  164 Entering controlled access highway
  165 Turning at intersections
  166 Turning left other than at intersection
  167 Turning right other than at intersection
  168 Reverse turn
  169 Starting vehicle
  169.1 Yielding to bus
  170 Signals on turning
  171 Means of signalling
  172 Left hand drive signals
  173 Yield signs
  174 Yielding right of way on left turn
  175 Entering through highway
  176 Emerging from alleys
  177 Approach of emergency vehicle
  178 Repealed
  179 Rights of way between vehicle and pedestrian
  180 Crossing at other than crosswalk
  181 Duty of driver
  182 Pedestrian walking along highway
  182.1 Motor assisted cycles
  183 Rights and duties of operator of cycle
  184 Bicycle safety helmets
  185 Railway crossings
  186 Stopping at intersections
  187 Where parking prohibited
  188 Police may move parked vehicle
  189 When vehicle stopping prohibited
  190 Manner of parking
  191 Leaving parked vehicle
  192 Parking on private property
  193 Caution in backing vehicle
  194 Motorcycles
  195 Requirements for moving vehicle
  196 Travelling through canyons
  197 Coasting down grade
  198 Following fire vehicle
  199 Driving over fire hose
  200 Driving on sidewalk
  201 Sign as evidence
  202 Repealed
  203 When opening door prohibited
  204 Depositing articles on highway
  205 Repealed
  206 Transporting explosives
  207 Warning devices
  208 Safety equipment
  209 Regulations respecting highways
  209.1 Ministerial regulations
  210 Power to make regulations
  211 Power to establish forms
  211.1 Power to prescribe for electronic information
  212 Regulations respecting safety
  212.1 Operator's duty to provide information
  212.2 Regulations respecting vehicles having safety certificates
  213 Evidence of weight of vehicle or load
  214 Signs
Part 3.1 — Use of Electronic Devices while Driving
  214.1 Definitions
  214.2 Prohibition against use of electronic device while driving
  214.3 Exceptions to prohibition — emergency personnel
  214.4 Exceptions to prohibition — certain permitted activities
  214.5 Exceptions to prohibition — by regulation
  214.6 Power to make regulations
Part 4
  215 24 hour prohibition
  215.1 Review of driving prohibition
  215.2 Considerations
  215.3 Decision of the superintendent
  215.4 24 hour impoundment of motor vehicle
  215.41 Automatic roadside driving prohibition
  215.42 Right to second analysis
  215.43 Effect of driving prohibition under section 215.41
  215.44 Additional consequences — monetary penalty
  215.45 Additional consequences — remedial program
  215.46 Additional consequences — impoundment of vehicle
  215.47 Duties of peace officer related to driving prohibition under section 215.41
  215.48 Review of driving prohibition under section 215.41
  215.49 Considerations on review under section 215.48
  215.5 Decision of superintendent after review under section 215.48
  215.51 Regulations — automatic roadside driving prohibitions
  216 Vehicle inspections
  217 Inspectors, inspection facilities and standards
  218 Standards and approvals
  218.1 Driver control programs
  219 Equipment of motor vehicles
  220 Seat belt assembly
  221 Repealed
  222 Sale of motor vehicle contrary to regulations
  223 Canada Safety Standards
  224 Driving with more than 80 milligrams of alcohol in blood
  225 Demand for blood sample
  226 Refusal to give blood sample
  227 Proof of blood sample
  228 Civil liability
  229 No legal obligation
  230 Report of health professional
  231 Not in Force
  231.1 Smoking in motor vehicle prohibited
Part 5
  232 Suspension on conviction for certain offences
  233 Reinstatement of suspended licence
  234 Driving while suspended
  235 Driver to surrender licence
  236 Stay of suspension against driving
Part 6 — Carriers
  237 Definitions
  238 Operating requirements for business vehicles
  239 Power to search business vehicles
  240 Liability for act or omission of employee
Part 7
  241 to 248 Repealed
Part 8 — Police Accident Reports
  249 Accident reports by police officer
Part 9 — Motor Vehicle Impoundment
  250 Definitions
  251 Impoundment of motor vehicle
  252 Liability for impoundment
  253 Period of impoundment
  254 Duties of peace officer
  255 Storage of impounded motor vehicle
  256 Review of impoundment
  257 Considerations for review of impoundment
  258 Decision of superintendent on review of impoundment
  259 Review of driving prohibition
  260 Considerations for review of driving prohibition
  261 Decision of superintendent on review of driving prohibition
  262 Early release of motor vehicle on grounds of economic hardship
  263 Early release of motor vehicle on compassionate grounds
  264 Release of motor vehicle after impoundment period
  265 Owner's right against driver
  266 Superintendent may indemnify for wrongful impoundment
  267 Appropriation
  268 Power to make regulations — Lieutenant Governor in Council
  269 Power to make regulations — superintendent