How do I replace a car plate online?

The Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) offers Quebec motorists an online service for replacing lost, stolen, illegible or otherwise damaged vehicle plates.

Initially offered free of charge, this service now requires a fee of $2.50 (technically $12.40 including the registration certificate). The new metal plate will be delivered by mail within 10 to 20 working days, to the main address on your SAAQ file.

While you're waiting to receive it, you'll need to place a temporary paper plate on the vehicle, on the upper left-hand side of the rear window.

How does it work?

The plate replacement service is available in SAAQclic. You'll need to create a SAAQclic account (if you haven't already done so) or log in to your existing one. Be sure to link a bank account in the "My Financial Account" section of the left-hand menu. Otherwise, the transaction will be impossible.

Still in this menu, go to the "Registrations" tab and click on "Replace a plate". You will be asked to select the plate to be replaced, identify the reason for the replacement, confirm the delivery address and proceed to payment.

At the end of the transaction, you'll need to download and print your new registration certificate and provisional license plate, on standard white paper (8.5 x 11).

Finally, if you can't do your replacement online, you'll need to make an appointment at one of SAAQ's points of service.

Personalized license plate

If you'd like to get a personalized license plate, something that's been possible since July 2018, remember that it will cost you $272.49 (taxes included) in addition to the annual fee of $37.66.

A combination of letters and numbers (2 to 7 characters) is possible, but you may not enter a message that is obscene or expresses disregard for the highway safety code, or an indication that you are in a position of public authority. Other restrictions apply.

To find out more about personalized license plates, click here.