I've read an article advising that you should carry a photocopy of your vehicle licence with your name and address blacked out. If the vehicle was stolen with the keys or garage door opener in it, the thieves would not have easy access to your home and address. It went on to say that all the info that the police require would be on your drivers licence. Is this a good idea?
Photocopy of the Original Vehicle Licence
Photocopies of the vehicle licence may be carried in place of the original:
Carrying of licence
11 The licence issued for a motor vehicle or trailer, or a photocopy of it, must be carried in the motor vehicle, or in the case of a trailer, in the motor vehicle towing the trailer, at all times while the motor vehicle or trailer is on a highway.
The Original is Not Blacked Out
If part of the information on it is blacked out, it is not a photocopy of the original, so would not qualify.
The Insurance Document
Our ICBC vehicle documents are a single page, with the top portion being the Owner's Certificate of Insurance and Vehicle Licence and the bottom portion being the Vehicle Registration.
The Motor Vehicle Act says that you must produce the original certificate of insurance if required by the police at roadside:
Production of licence and liability card, duplicates
33 (1) Every person, except
(a) a person driving or operating a motor vehicle exempted under section 2 (5) or section 8 or 10, or
(b) a person driving or operating a motor vehicle of a fire department of a municipality,
must have his or her driver's licence and driver's certificate and a motor vehicle liability insurance card or financial responsibility card, issued for the motor vehicle he or she is driving or operating, in his or her possession at all times while driving or operating that motor vehicle on a highway, and must produce the licence, certificate and card for inspection on demand of a peace officer.
Since the licence is such a small part of the whole document and the rest must be produced in original, it is not worthwhile to bother with a photocopy.
Don't Leave Any Documents in Your Vehicle
If you are truly worried, don't leave the documents in your vehicle. Not being able to produce documents will make it that much harder of the thief if they steal the vehicle, both in terms of your address and with the police should they be stopped.
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