It will soon become more expensive to be a motorist in Quebec.

The province's cash-strapped public auto insurance agency has been given the green light to hike its rates.

This, as other provinces are trying to reduce soaring private automobile insurance rates.

A council of experts appointed by the province supports the rate hikes proposed earlier this year by the Societe de l'assurance automobile du Quebec.

In their 56-page report released yesterday, the experts support the gradual rate increases aimed at balancing the society's books by 2011.

Over the next three years, Quebecers should expect a 60 per cent increase in the cost of a driver's licence and vehicle registration.

Fees for certain models of sport motorcycles will jump by more than 400 per cent.