Replacing License Plates?

[Keebler Elf]

A family member was telling me that they wanted to exchange their existing plates (which are rusted to hell) for new plates of the same number. Not vanity plates.

They said MTO would not allow them to do it and they had to turn the plates in to get new ones and it wouldn't be the same number. MTO (apparently) said they could request the same number as a vanity plate but there was no guarantee the number wouldn't be redistributed in the meantime.

Anyone know if this is true? Is there not a way to just replace your existing, worn out plates like-for-like with new ones?

 

[nottyboi]

No plates are random unless they are vanity plates.

 

[69Shooter]

If that's what they told you then I expect it's true. It makes perfect sense to me. What are they supposed to do... custom make a set of plates with the old number?

 

[simon482]

from what i know once a number is used for license plates that number is not revived again until those plates are turned back in after a car is written off or looking for new plates. for lack of a better way to explain it you plate number is to your car as your sin number is to you. so if she wants the same number agian she will have to order them as vanity plates and i think those are about 75$ as opposed to regular plates at about 35$.

does it really matter what plate she has or doesn't have ?

 

[Keyra]

A family member was telling me that they wanted to exchange their existing plates (which are rusted to hell) for new plates of the same number. Not vanity plates.

They said MTO would not allow them to do it and they had to turn the plates in to get new ones and it wouldn't be the same number. MTO (apparently) said they could request the same number as a vanity plate but there was no guarantee the number wouldn't be redistributed in the meantime.

Anyone know if this is true? Is there not a way to just replace your existing, worn out plates like-for-like with new ones?

Unfortunately, this is true. Stupid, but true.

My driver went through a similar situation a while ago. He lost his front license plate (it fell off while he was driving and he didn't realize it until he got home) but still had his rear one (the more important one with the validation sticker on it). He called the MTO and asked for a replacement but was told he'd have to call the police and report his front plate as lost, and then get a new set of plates with a new number on them.

It's really stupid the way the Ministry of Transportation handles license plates on cars. Apparently each plate number will only ever get made once and they simply won't issue replacements. I can see where in the case of a lost front plate they'd be worried about someone finding it and trying to use it, causing confusion, but in your friend's case, they still have both original plates, so why not just swap them? It wouldn't be that hard for someone to call the MTO and arrange for a new set of plates to replace their old ones, and then when the new plates are ready to take their old, worn-out plates in and exchange them for the new ones with the same number - the Ministry could then destroy the old plates. But that would require actual work on their part. Easier to just make us do the work and go through the inconvenience of changing our licensing.

Typical government being stupid ...

 

[gcostanza]

From the MTO Site:


Fee Table


Personalized, Graphic and
Sample Plates Cost Gift Certificates
Available
2 to 8 character personalized plates $251.65 Yes
2 to 6 character plates with a graphic $336.40 Yes
Convert a regular series plate to a personalized plate $251.65 Yes
Motorcycle plates (2 to 5 characters)
Please note that personalized licence plates are not available for limited-speed motorcycles. $251.65 Yes
Add a graphic to a personalized series plate $138.65 Yes
Regular series graphic plate $82.15 Yes
Regular series sample plate
(Out of Canada request $15.00, GST/HST not required) $16.95 No
Sample plate with a graphic $33.90 No
Reorder of personalized plates (i.e., replacement) $99.10 Yes
Reorder of graphic plates (i.e., replacement) $53.90 No

Prices include GST/HST. All personal cheques must be certified unless payment is sent by mail.


http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/vehicle/plates.shtml

 

[SaturnFan]

Typical government being stupid ...

Not really. it's cheaper to simply issue the next plate number is sequence, rather than re-ordering a copy of the plates that are missing or stolen.

If you want the same license plate number, then it should be treated the same as a personalized plate.

 

[SaturnFan]

Replacing Regular Plates:

If your plates have been lost, stolen or damaged, bring the following into a Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office:

• Replacement Declaration filled out by the owner and the police or telephone reporting - the name of the officer who took the report and the occurrence number are required (not required if both plates are being returned ). Replacement Declaration forms are available at any Driver and Vehicle Licence
  
• Issuing Office or local police department;
  
• the remaining plate if you have it;
  
• name of your insurance company and policy number;
  
• the vehicle permit (plate and vehicle portions);
  
• Application for Registration completed and signed (blank form available at the Issuing Office).

Replacing your Validation Sticker

The ministry will replace validation stickers that have been lost, stolen, damaged or removed by enforcement staff. You may require a Safety Standards Certificate or mechanic's signature on the inspection form if the sticker was removed by enforcement staff. Visit a Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office to complete an Application for Registration. Bring the damaged sticker (if applicable), vehicle permit, name of insurance company and policy number, and reason for requesting a replacement.

http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/vehicle/replace.shtml

 

[Aardvark154]

It wouldn't be that hard for someone to call the MTO and arrange for a new set of plates to replace their old ones, and then when the new plates are ready to take their old, worn-out plates in and exchange them for the new ones with the same number - the Ministry could then destroy the old plates. But that would require actual work on their part. Easier to just make us do the work and go through the inconvenience of changing our licensing.

Typical government being stupid ...

Keyra you of course are absolutely correct.

Ontario never ceases to amaze me, in many other proviences and states unless you report the plates stolen (in which case of course they will not let you put the same registration number on your vehicle) it is about a $5 - 10 dollar per plate fee to replace "lost" plates.

 

[alexmst]

Keyra you of course are absolutely correct.

Ontario never ceases to amaze me, in many other proviences and states unless you report the plates stolen (in which case of course they will not let you put the same registration number on your vehicle) it is about a $5 - 10 dollar per plate fee to replace "lost" plates.

Yes, I agree.

I had the same issue in Ontario when I wanted to replace my plates on a car because they were scrapped/damaged. You can't get the same number unless you order it as a vanity plate, which is stupid. If one returns both plates, they should order one a replacement set of the same number.

Forcing one to get a new number means you have to replace documentation, memorize a new number, update toll road databases, etc. A real pain.

I just left the old damaged plate on the car as I recall - not pretty, but if the Ontario government would rather have ugly looking plates driving around then put in a bit of effort themselves, well so be it.

As a follow up question: is one allowed to refinish/repair one's plates oneself? Repaint the white background and blue raised numbers for instance? Anybody know?

 

[oldjones]

Some time ago MTO ran on a plate-to-car basis; sell the car, plates go with, car gets scrapped plates die too. But then the bright boys there decided to go with plate-to owner, which is what we have now. In theory you could pick up your plates when you buy that first car at sixtten and still have them when your estate sells your last car seventy years later.

If the MTO doesn't wanna be in the plate-maintenance business, why not DIY/ They're yours. Slap some white Tremco™ on 'em, and use a mini roller to pick up the raised letters in blue. Or get a sign shop to cut blue vinyl letters for a classier look for. Should run you about thirty odd bucks.

 

[hamiltondude]

A family member was telling me that they wanted to exchange their existing plates (which are rusted to hell) for new plates of the same number. Not vanity plates.

They said MTO would not allow them to do it and they had to turn the plates in to get new ones and it wouldn't be the same number. MTO (apparently) said they could request the same number as a vanity plate but there was no guarantee the number wouldn't be redistributed in the meantime.

Anyone know if this is true? Is there not a way to just replace your existing, worn out plates like-for-like with new ones?

Only a silly thought here. They make products now to get rid of rust from stuff (ie CLR). Anything like that may be able to use??

 

[Keebler Elf]

As a follow up question: is one allowed to refinish/repair one's plates oneself? Repaint the white background and blue raised numbers for instance? Anybody know?

Technically, probably not. You don't "own" the plates so you can't "modify" them.

That being said, so long as you're not changing the colours then they probably would never notice. You might have a problem duplicating the reflective nature of the current paint though (which a cop would probably object to; flat colours would be harder to see at night).

 

[buttercup]

Anybody know if its legal to make your own licence plates? Simply get a piece of white plastic and stick some vinyl letters on it??

 

[hamiltondude]

Anybody know if its legal to make your own licence plates? Simply get a piece of white plastic and stick some vinyl letters on it??

Sure, you can do that!! Thats legal

 

[69Shooter]

Sure, you can do that!! Thats legal

I'm pretty sure I also read where you can make your own driver's license, passport and OHIP card.

 

[hamiltondude]

I'm pretty sure I also read where you can make your own driver's license, passport and OHIP card.

Only if you are East Indian or Asian can you do this

 

[SaturnFan]

Ontario never ceases to amaze me, in many other proviences and states unless you report the plates stolen (in which case of course they will not let you put the same registration number on your vehicle) it is about a $5 - 10 dollar per plate fee to replace "lost" plates.

In other provinces/states, do they actually replace your plates if they're lost or stolen (i.e. issue the same plate number which means a new replacement set is made) or just simply grab the next set of un-issued plates and give those to you?

 

[Kenny-sauga]

In UK...you get the number, which can be cut by sign shops...you can continue using the same number as long as you wish, just have the number added to your next are docs. But I guess it would made too much sense in Ontario...so we dont do it, as our government loves every penny they could get hold off. It would make good economic sense if private businesses could cut the plates...buyer/seller market...just my 0.02 as i am getting sicker and sicker with our government every passing day!!!!

 

[shakenbake]

A family member was telling me that they wanted to exchange their existing plates (which are rusted to hell) for new plates of the same number. Not vanity plates.

They said MTO would not allow them to do it and they had to turn the plates in to get new ones and it wouldn't be the same number. MTO (apparently) said they could request the same number as a vanity plate but there was no guarantee the number wouldn't be redistributed in the meantime.

Anyone know if this is true? Is there not a way to just replace your existing, worn out plates like-for-like with new ones?

What you say is true. I was in the same position as your relative. Such is the MTO. And the vanity plates were more than $200 last year.