Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) is reminding drivers of the importance of keeping their vehicle licence plates clearly visible and properly maintained.
“Having your licence plate in good repair keeps our roadways safe and helps you identify other vehicles if you're involved in a collision or need to report them to a necessary agency,” said Maria Campos, Vice President and Chief Customer and Product Officer at MPI, in a news release.
According to MPI, the reflective coating on Manitoba licence plates enhances visibility, particularly at night, helping to prevent collisions with parked vehicles. The coating must remain intact for the plate to serve its intended safety purpose.
Under Manitoba’s Drivers and Vehicles Act, licence plates must be unobstructed, with all details clearly visible. Motorists found driving with poorly maintained or obscured plates could face fines of $113.
MPI provides a five-year warranty on new licence plates, replacing them free of charge if they begin to degrade within that time frame. After the five-year warranty expires, drivers are required to replace their plates themselves, at a cost of $15 for a new set.
Campos highlighted the ineffectiveness of makeshift repairs, saying some drivers have attempted fixes using blue nail polish, paint, and even permanent markers.
“While we appreciate the efforts to maintain the readability of the plate, these methods don’t work,” Campos explained. “The plates need to be replaced so they have the proper reflectivity and readability. Any Manitoba broker or MPI service centre can assist you with this.”