The primary responsibilities of the Vehicle Registration Section involve the registration and maintenance of vehicle owner information for registered vehicles (new and renewal registrations) in the province, as well as the maintenance of motor vehicle dealer licenses.

The province's compulsory vehicle inspection program involves the licensing and supervision of inspection station outlets.

The International Registration Plan (IRP) involves the registering of commercial vehicles that are based in the province but travel through other jurisdictions in Canada Canada or the United States. All registration fees are collected by the base jurisdiction for all the jurisdictions in which travel is intended.

This section of the branch is responsible for the renewing of driver's licenses and the accurate maintenance of all driver records. Driver records include infractions and suspensions as a result of violations of the Motor Vehicle Act or the Criminal Code of Canada, reinstatements and traffic accidents. The section administers legislation that requires convicted impaired drivers to participate in an alcohol re-education program prior to reinstatement of their driving privileges.

The Safety Promotion and Education Section is responsible for the promotion of driver, motor vehicle and general public safety. It places an emphasis on co-ordinating safety programs offered by various government, industry and safety organizations.

Various techniques are used, including the use of pamphlets, news releases, displays at exhibitions, schools and shopping malls, as well as advertising on radio, television and in newspapers.

Traffic safety programs include seat belt awareness, drinking and driving, school bus and pedestrian safety and bicycle safety programs.

This section is actively involved in the national program "Vision 2010", the objective of which is to make Canada's roads the safest in the world by the year 2010. As part of this objective, the section is extensively involved in co-ordinating two provincial/national enforcement and education activities:

The National Occupant Restraint Program 2010 with an objective to achieve and maintain a 95% seat belt usage by the year 2010; and the Strategy to Reduce Impaired Driving 2010 with an objective to reduce the number of alcohol related highway collision casualties by 20% by the year 2010.

Other vital programs include promoting Safe Grad and Teens Against Drunk Driving (TADD), as well as the elementary school programs Play it Safe and Winter Safety, and the Pedal for Safety Bicycle Program.

Under the authority of the Motor Vehicle Act, the branch administers the process of mandatory periodic medical review of drivers who hold Class 1 through 4 licenses. This board, consisting of a team of physicians, meets regularly to provide recommendations to ensure adherence to the national medical standards that have been established for bus, truck, ambulance, automobile, and taxi drivers. As well, this board is also consulted with regard to other classes of drivers where medical opinions are required for clarification and safety.

The objective of the National Safety Code is to enforce a series of 15 safety standards directed at commercial trucking and bus operations. The unit also provides extensive information and guidance to carriers as to the requirements of the National Safety Code.