Registrar of Motor Vehicles
Motor Vehicle Division
Department of Economic Development & Transportation
Government of Nunavut
P.O. Box 2420
Cambridge Bay, NU
X0B 0C0
(867) 983-4231 | www.edt.gov.nu.ca/apps/authoring/dspPage.aspx?page=motor
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
“V” Division
Box 500
Iqaluit, NU X0A 0H0
(867) 975-4409 | www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/detach/nu-detach-eng.htm
(see Vehicle Registration)
Where a certificate of registration expires and the person named in the expired certificate has transferred ownership of the motor vehicle by a voluntary act, the person named in the expired certificate shall immediately remove the license plate attached to the motor vehicle, and sign the notice of transfer on the certificate of registration for the motor vehicle and give this notice to the new owner. The new owner shall, within 10 days of becoming the owner, submit the notice of transfer to the Registrar.
(see Vehicle Registration)
The owner of a motor vehicle may apply to the Registrar to have a certificate of registration, registration permit, in transit permit, license plate or validation sticker issued for that motor vehicle. The Registrar shall not issue a certificate of registration for a motor vehicle to a person who is named on a valid certificate of registration for the same motor vehicle if there are more than 90 days before the date of expiry on the valid certificate unless the Registrar is satisfied that there are circumstances that justify issuing a certificate earlier
The certificate of registration and proof of insurance must be carried in the vehicle at all times.
Private vehicles must be registered in Nunavut after being in the Territories for more than 90 days.
A person may apply for a certificate of registration for the following classes of motor vehicles for a minimum period of seven months and a maximum period of 18 months: private vehicle; motorcycle; and trailer.
Registrations are validated annually by license plate stickers.
No province-wide emissions inspection requirement.
An officer who has directed a person operating a vehicle on a highway to stop the vehicle may inspect the vehicle and any vehicle safety item in respect of that vehicle to determine if the vehicle and item comply with the requirements of the laws and regulations.
| Automobile | Motorcycle | Duplicates | ||||||
| Title Fee | Registration Fee | Title Fee | Registration Fee | Plate Fee | Registration Fee | Driver’s License Fee | Title Fee | Special Plates |
| n/a | $130.00 | n/a | $20.00 12 mos. or less; $30.00 over 12 mos. | $10.00 plate; $5.00 sticker | $7.00 | $7.00 | n/a | $150.00 |
No person shall operate or park a motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, trailer or a prescribed class of motor vehicle, on a highway unless a license plate is securely attached to the rear bumper of the vehicle.
License plates are validated by stickers.
Where a validation sticker or license plate is lost, stolen, destroyed or becomes illegible, the person to whom the license plate or validation sticker was issued may apply for a new license plate or validation sticker.
Where the ownership of a motor vehicle is transferred, otherwise than on the death of the owner or, if the owner is a corporation, on the dissolution of the corporation, the person named in the certificate of registration for the motor vehicle may transfer the license plate with a validation sticker affixed from the vehicle that is no longer owned by the person to another motor vehicle that he or she owns.
A person who has not been issued a driver’s license or wishes to obtain a class of driver’s license that has greater privileges than the class of driver’s license issued to that person may apply under this section to the Registrar for the class of driver’s license permitted by regulations.
The Registrar shall not issue a class of driver’s license to a person making an application unless that person passes, by the prescribed standard, the theoretical and practical driving examinations for that class of driver’s license.
Class 7 learner’s permit issued at age 15; full license at 16.
A person learning to operate a motor vehicle must be accompanied by a person who holds a valid class of driver’s license that authorizes the operation of that type of vehicle and, where that license is Class 1, 2, 3 or 4, has a minimum of three years experience operating that type of vehicle; or (b) where that license is Class 5, has a minimum of two years experience operating that type of vehicle.
Residents of the Territory much apply for a Nunavut driver’s license after 90 days of living in the Territory. The applicants must surrender his or her driver’s license from the other jurisdiction.
The driver’s license must be carried at all times when operating a vehicle.
A driver’s license expires on the birthday of the license holder in the fifth calendar year after the end of the calendar year in which the license is issued.
Class 1: permits the operation of semi-trailers and tractor trailers; any vehicle in Class 2, 3, 4 or 5; and any vehicle in Class 6, while the driver is learning to operate it.
Class 2: permits the operation of a bus of any seating capacity for passengers; a vehicle or any combination of vehicles in Class 3, 4 or 5; any combination of vehicles without air brakes where the towed vehicles exceed a gross weight of 4,500 kg; and any vehicle in Class 1 or 6, while the driver is learning to operate it.
Class 3: permits the operation of a single vehicle with three or more axles; a towing combination where the towed vehicles do not exceed a gross weight of 4,500 kg; any combination of vehicles without air brakes where the towed vehicles exceed a gross weight of 4,500 kg; a vehicle or any combination of vehicles in Class 4 or 5; and any vehicle mentioned in Class 1, 2 or 6, while the driver is learning to operate it.
Class 4: permits the operation of a bus having a seating capacity not exceeding 24 passengers; a taxi; an ambulance; any vehicle in Class 1, 2, 3 or 6, while the driver is learning to operate it.
Class 5: permits the operation of a two axle vehicle other than a motorcycle, bus, taxi or an ambulance; a towing combination where towing and towed vehicles do not exceed a gross weight of 4,500 kg; recreational vehicles; mopeds; and any vehicle mentioned in Class 1, 2, 3, 4 or 6, while the driver is learning to operate it.
Class 6: permits the operation of a motorcycle, and any vehicle in Class 5, while the driver is learning to operate it.
Class 7: permits the operation of any vehicle in Class 5 or 6, while the driver is learning to operate it.
No province-wide distracted driving law.
Dial 1-800-693-1666 for emergencies. Citizen band radio channel 9 is monitored for emergency calls.
No prohibition on wearing of headsets while driving.
No requirement to slow down and/or move to an adjacent lane when passing stopped emergency vehicles.
Seat belts are required for the driver and all passengers.
Passengers may ride in the box of a truck if the box is totally enclosed, the truck is being operated within a municipality or settlement at less than 30 km/h, or on a motor vehicle forming part of a parade that has been approved by the proper authority.
No person shall operate, on a highway, a motor vehicle in which there is a passenger under 15 of the prescribed size or weight unless that passenger is properly secured in a prescribed child restraint system or seat belt.
A toddler between 9kg and 18kg shall be secured in a child restraint system
An infant under 9kg shall be secured in a rearward facing child restraint system
Where a driver approaches a railway crossing and a warning device or flag operator indicates that a train is approaching, or a train that is approaching is visible or is emitting an audible signal and it is not possible to cross the railway crossing in safety, or a stop sign has been erected at the railway crossing, the driver shall stop his or her vehicle not less than 5 m from the nearest rail of the railway.
The driver shall not proceed across the railway crossing until it is safe to do so.
A driver, on meeting a school bus that is headed in the same or opposite direction as the driver, and has its flashing lights in use, shall stop his or her vehicle before it reaches the bus, and not proceed until the flashing lights are no longer in use.
No person shall operate a vehicle equipped with a bumper unless on passenger cars, the bumper is positioned on the vehicle so that the centre part of the bumper is not more than 550 mm or less than 380 mm above the road surface; or on vehicles other than passenger cars the lowest part of the bumper is not more than 750 mm above the road surface.
No person shall operate a motor vehicle on a highway during the period from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise or at any other time when conditions of poor visibility exist, unless the headlights and other prescribed lights are in use.
Hazard lights are required to be activated when a driver parks a vehicle on a roadway during the period from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise or at any other time when conditions of poor visibility exist; or when the vehicle is travelling at less than 40 km/h due to vehicle impairment.
Vehicles may use snow chains during icy or snowy road conditions
Studded tires are permitted on roads built on ice, on seasonal roads (a road that can be used for only a portion of a year), or on roads maintained by private individuals or companies.
No person shall operate a vehicle unless the windshield and front passenger side windows of the vehicle are free from a coating of sunscreen or reflective material other than that applied by the vehicle manufacturer.
No person shall operate, on a highway, a vehicle that is equipped with a cathode ray tube display screen or similar viewing screen, if the screen is located in front of the driver’s seat or is visible to the driver while the driver is operating the vehicle.
Radar detectors are prohibited.
No person shall operate, on a highway, any motor vehicle with a sticker, sign, poster or other non-transparent material placed over, or affixed to the windshield or a side or a rear window that unduly obstructs his or her view of the highway or an intersecting highway.
No person shall operate a vehicle with a GVWR of less than 4500 kg unless it is equipped with appropriate fenders, splash guards, rock guards or mudflaps to prevent unnecessary spray to the rear of the vehicle.
No person shall drive or ride on a motorcycle unless the person wears a prescribed helmet in the prescribed manner.
No driver or passenger of a motorcycle shall stand up while riding on the motorcycle.
No passenger shall ride on a motorcycle unless the motorcycle has passenger foot pegs, is designed and equipped with a seat to carry more than one person, and the person rides on that seat, or the passenger rides in a side car that is attached to the motorcycle.
A person learning to operate a motorcycle may be unaccompanied if the instructor has a minimum of two years experience operating a motorcycle, follows the person in or on another vehicle, and keeps the person in view.
A person learning to operate a motorcycle shall not operate a motorcycle after sunset or in a speed zone of 70 km/h or greater.
No person shall operate a motor vehicle on a highway in any manner that causes a loud or unnecessary noise from the exhaust or braking system of the vehicle or from the contact of the tires of the vehicle with the highway. Local municipal councils may set local noise limits.
N/A.
No combination of vehicles 4500 kg or over GVWR may exceed 25m in length, 3.2 m in width (not counting side mirrors, lights, reflectors or load-securement devices which protrude no more than 15 cm on each side beyond the widest part of the vehicle or its load), or 4.2 m in height.
A towing vehicle must be equipped with a coupling device in the form of a 5thwheel hitch, pintle hook, drawbar hitch, ball hitch, or other approved coupling device that is designed to support the trailer the person intends to tow.
Any coupling device, other than a 5th-wheel hitch, must be equipped with an alternate coupling device that is designed to support the same weight as the main coupling device.
No person may operate a vehicle equipped with a coupling device unless it is securely mounted to the frame of the vehicle, has no missing or ineffective fasteners, and is free of cracks or breaks in the assembly.
No person shall operate a vehicle having a width exceeding 2.6 m, unless the vehicle displays during the night two red lights mounted on the rear of the vehicle or the load, or during the day has such lights or warning flags mounted on the extremities of the vehicle or the load.
Vehicles with a width greater than 3.2 m must also display an over-dimension sign and be preceded by an escort vehicle or display one or two rotating amber lights mounted on the top of the cab of the vehicle.
No person may operate a vehicle unless it has at least 2 mirrors attached to the vehicle each of which gives the operator a clear view at least 60 meters behind the vehicle.
N/A.
No person operating a vehicle of 4,500 kg GVWR or less shall tow more than one vehicle.
No person shall occupy and no driver whose motor vehicle is pulling a trailer shall permit a person to occupy a trailer while it is being moved on a highway.
Crashes must be reported immediately.
Contact your local AAA club about AAA Guaranteed Arrest Bond validity in Canada.
No person shall park a motor vehicle on a highway, other than a privately owned area that is designed and primarily used for the parking of vehicles, or operate a motor vehicle on a highway unless, with respect to a motor vehicle for which there is a certificate of registration or an in transit permit or that is not registered under the laws of any jurisdiction, there is a motor vehicle liability policy that is in force and that evidences a contract that insures at least to the limits required with respect to a motor vehicle registered under the laws of a jurisdiction other than the Territories, the owner of the motor vehicle meets the prescribed standards of financial responsibility with respect to the operation of the motor vehicle in the Territories.
Local municipal councils may provide for the establishment and operation of weigh scales and the weighing of vehicles operated on a highway.
No province-wide bicycle helmet law requirement.
U.S. citizens returning to the U.S. from Canada by land or sea are required to present proper travel documents according to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. Proof of citizenship is required for travel to Canada by land or sea. A U.S. passport is required for travel by air to Canada and to the U.S. Permanent residents who are not citizens should carry their Alien Registration Receipt Card.
All children must have their own travel documents. In lieu of a U.S. passport or passport card, U.S. children under 16 traveling to and from Canada by land or sea may also present an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Naturalization Certificate. If the parents are separated or divorced, the parent crossing the border should have proof of custody or a letter from the other parent. Persons under 18 years of age who are not accompanied by a parent should bring a letter from their parent or guardian giving them permission to cross the border.
A visitor is permitted to bring a reasonable amount of personal effects, a reasonable supply of food, and a full tank of gas.
