VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) — If you don’t make your child support payments, you might not be able to drive.

New changes to the Family Maintenance Enforcement Program (FMEP) starting tomorrow (March 1) allow ICBC to cancel driver’s licenses for B.C. parents who owe more than $3,000 in child support payments. ICBC previously had the power to refuse to renew licenses. The change is meant to help make child and spousal support enforcement more effective.

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Other changes to FMEP are meant to help parents reach repayment arrangements sooner, and help create a plan to stop arrears from accruing, for up to five years.

Provincial and federal laws already exist that allow FMEP to deny passport applications, and intercept funds owing to someone — like tax refunds and employment insurance benefits.

There are about 70,000 parents enrolled in FMEP, with payment rates at around 92 per cent.