If you are planning to take your SAAQ Test in 2015 you couldn’t have picked a better time. Due to a surplus of $1.5 billion the SAAQ has decided to drop its fees by 35 percent in the New Year. With so many other fees seeming to be on the rise, it is nice to know there will be a break for people when it comes to car and license fees in Quebec.
It is not just a surplus the SAAQ has noticed. There has also been a noticeable drop in the amount of deaths on Quebec roads and highways. From 2005 to 2013 the number of accidents dropped from 707 to 399. Serious injuries dropped from 4,000 to 1,727 during the same time period. Light injuries have also seen a continuous decline from 47,455 to 35,972. The amount collected for registration fees is now far greater than what the SAAQ must hand out to the victims of vehicle accidents which has led to the additional funds.
It works out that the SAAQ was able to amend a deficit they had been carrying. The surplus will help assist the auto insurance plan which was underfinanced by 92 percent. This left them with a $2.7 billion deficit in 2008.
In a way it is as if safer driving is being rewarded by the SAAQ. Those with a license will be given a good deal and Class 5 licence holders with no demerit points will see a very agreeable drop from $90 to $64. In 2016 they will then see a drop to $55. Fees have not been this low since 2007. There will also be a drop in Class 6 motorcycle licences. If you hold both a Class 5 and Class 6 license you will pay just $128 for both and by 2016 pay only $117 compared to 2014’s rate of $159.
The government had to provide a rescue fund in 2004 which took the form of the Fonds d’assurance automobile du Québec. This led to a leap of permit fees by $25 initially and continuous rises in the fee many times over. With views on long term stability as long as the rates of accidents continues to drop the dropping rates can remain lower. This will provide enough money to finance the insurance plan.
The good news is that there seems to be a pattern formed for safer driving in the province which also makes it a good time to take your test in SAAQ.
