Ontario. Motor Vehicles Branch

• Motor Vehicles Branch

The Motor Vehicles Branch was essentially established within the Ontario Department of Public Highways, in 1916. Prior to this, responsibility for the registering and licensing of motor vehicles rested with the Provincial Secretary (a responsibility it held since 1903). Although there are references to motor vehicle licensing and registration between 1916 and 1918, there is no mention in the Annual Reports of what agency actually performed this function; it is, however, likely that it was a form of, or precursor to, the Motor Vehicles Branch. In 1919, a Registrar of Motor Vehicles, as head of the Motor Vehicles Branch, is clearly identified.

The Motor Vehicles Branch reported to the Deputy Minister of the Department of Public Highways from 1919 until 1931. When the department changed names in 1931, the branch began reporting to the Deputy Minister for the newly named Ontario Department of Highways. In 1937, the branch was placed under the Assistant to the Deputy Minister; a reporting relationship that lasted until 1949, when the Deputy Minister again assumed responsibility for the branch.

In 1957, the Motor Vehicles Branch became part of the newly created Ontario Department of Transport. By 1958, however, the Motor Vehicles Branch ceased to exist. The functions of the branch were, at this time, assumed by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles.

The Motor Vehicles Branch issued permits and licences for drivers in Ontario and registered all vehicles (commercial, public and private). From 1930, the branch also recorded the amount of revenue generated through these licensing activities. In the same year they became responsible for reporting accident statistics and for administering the Financial Responsibility Law. Under this legislation, the branch issued license suspensions and ensured that drivers were able to meet any financial obligations arising from damages in traffic accidents (by refusing to lift suspensions until these obligations were met).

RAD: Rules for Archival Description, 2nd edn (2008)

2026-11-16: migrated to AtoM

MacTaggart, Hazel I. Publications of the Government of Ontario, 1901-1955 (1964); Department of Public Highways Annual Reports, 1915-1931; Department of Highways Annual Reports, 1931-1957; Department of Transport Annual Reports, 1957-1959

Not found in Canadiana Authorities, 1996-12-24.

Archivist(s):
Lisa Singer, Mark Epp