The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is providing NWT residents a 90-day extension to General Identification Cards, driver’s licences and vehicle registrations that have expired or will expire while they are out of the territory due to wildfire evacuation.
The extensions for General Identification Cards, driver’s licences and vehicle registrations will be valid for 90 days beyond their expiry. This measure is being put in place because residents of Hay River, Fort Smith, Jean Marie River, Kakisa, Enterprise and Yellowknife and the surrounding area may not be able to easily access driver and vehicles services while they are displaced or out of the territory. GNWT Driver and Vehicle Services offices in Fort Smith, Hay River and Yellowknife are currently closed due to evacuation orders in place.
Evacuees who have expired or lost General Identification Cards or driver’s licences, or who have an expired vehicle registration, are asked to contact the Registrar of Motor Vehicles at DVLicensing@gov.nt.ca. You will be provided a letter notifying local law enforcement of this 90-day extension that you should keep with you should you need to provide proof of extension.
Law enforcement in the NWT and the GNWT’s Registrar of Motor Vehicles are withholding enforcement action related to expired motor vehicle documentation involving evacuees. The Registrar has also requested that law enforcement outside the NWT withhold enforcement action related to expired motor vehicle documentation involving evacuees while evacuation orders or re-entry measures are in effect.
Residents are reminded they can renew or replace General Identification Cards, driver’s licences and vehicle registrations online. If they are currently staying in Fort Simpson, Inuvik or Norman Wells, they can also do this in person at Driver and Vehicle Services offices in those communities.
If evacuees have other questions about driver and vehicle services, such as replacing stolen or lost licence plates or acquiring new vehicle registrations, please read the attached FAQ or email DVLicensing@gov.nt.ca.