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Thinking about getting a custom licence plate in Ontario? It's something thousands of drivers have. Most people at least consider it at one time or another. And many continue to get them personalized. But, just as many have been rejected because they do not meet the criteria set out by the MTO.
In this guide, we’ll tell you what you need to know about ordering and applying for a custom plate, learn the do’s and don’ts, what to do with your auto insurance and get answers to common questions.
Personalized licence plates allow you to use your own combination of letters and numbers rather than the combination provided by the MTO. For a fee, you can create a message or slogan using almost any combination of letters and numbers. Some restrictions and rules are in place to ensure the content is appropriate.
You can get them customized for personal or commercial vehicles. This personalization is also referred to as vanity plates.
It is $310 for a custom licence plate (2 to 8 characters). It is $336.40 for one with 2 to 6 characters and a graphic. If you have a motorcycle, the cost is $310 for 2 to 5 numbers/letters without a graphic. You can pay by VISA, Mastercard, or Interac Online.
Purchasing a personalized licence plate is a fairly straightforward process. You can purchase it online, at a ServiceOntario location, or by calling 1-800-AUTOPL8 (2886758). You will need your drivers licence number or registrant identification number (RIN). Before your order, you must also pay any outstanding fines and Highway 407 toll fees.
You can start your online order on the Ontario.ca website. You will need to follow these steps:
You can expect to receive your vanity plate in the mail in about 4 weeks.
People have a lot of custom ideas. But not all of them are considered acceptable. In fact, thousands of custom applications get rejected annually. 3,877 plates were rejected over the past year (between May 1, 2019, and May 31, 2020) for being too political, rude, or sexual. All variations of COVID are also rejected.
Here is the full list of rejected plates.
Plates are likely to be rejected if they contain objectionable content. Here’s a list of topics that commonly are not accepted:
They also need to have clarity and be easy for law enforcement to read.
Nearly a third of the 3,315 rejected applications were refused on the criterion of clarity and readability.” You may enjoy this list of 0UTLAW3D customizations from Toronto Star. The Personalized Licence Plate Review Committee reviews questionable suggestions. They are approved or denied unanimously, or it gets escalated to a manager at the MTO.
Here is the criteria they must meet:
You can check availability when ordering personalized plates in Ontario. You will be able to look up options as part of the purchase process.
Drivers can also purchase custom plates that include an approved logo or graphic. There are over 60 graphics to choose from several categories:
See the complete list.
A vanity licence plate is another name for a personalized or custom plate. It’s a great way for you to add your personal touch on your vehicle and to show off your interests or personality.
People get vanity licence plates for many reasons. Some equate it to being like a tattoo for your vehicle. It's something distinct that makes your vehicle stand out. People also get custom plates to show support for a favourite sports team or organization, or to say something about themselves.
Customer plates work just like regular ones. Once you have them on your vehicle, you’ll need to renew your licence plate sticker and follow all provincial rules regarding licensing.
It only takes a few minutes to complete the application process. You can receive your custom plates in the mail in as few as four weeks from the date you place your order.
Yes. You purchase a plate online or choose a gift certificate. A personalized plate can only be transferred once to anyone before being attached to a vehicle. You can also help them out by comparing Ontario car insurance rates before.
Getting a vanity plate is a great way to express yourself or support a cause. The only question left is, what are you going to get on yours?
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Digital Content Writer
Kayla-Jane has been a content writer with ThinkInsure since 2020. She creates insurance content for auto, home, and commercial. Kayla-Jane has a diploma in Journalism.
| Categories | Auto |
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| Tags | Driving TipsBuy and Sell Vehicles |
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