BIRD TALK

Here’s something I’ll throw out about the plate renewals; hopefully, the CSA will either know the answer or can get it. My wife and I have just renewed online for two years and have received e-mail receipts for the transaction. They say two-year renewal, but only include the date of the transaction and no date as to when the renewals expire. Something in writing which includes that info would be helpful. Our current plates were due to expire in July and November of this year. My understanding is that it’s “in the system” and thus any police officer in Ontario “running your plates” would see that they are valid. I have two questions to which I cannot find answers on the MTO website. First, if you are in another province in Canada, would the police in those provinces have immediate access to the same info? Recent articles in the newspapers regarding Ontarians ticketed in Quebec for expired plates (even though Ontario was not requiring renewal on time before the current system was put in place) makes one wonder. Second, many of us seniors are snowbirds. What access to that info do police in the United States have? Example: my plates have a Nov 22 sticker on them, as does my ownership. Would a stop or check in Jan 23 allow them to check the validity of my plates? This is a potential nightmare for many seniors and/or vacationers. Should the CSA not know, you certainly have greater knowledge and capability than I to research the issue. I suspect that a lot of your readers would be interested in the answer − I definitely would. Thanks in advance for any info that you can give me.

Dave Sickles

Brighton, ON

Ed.: In an effort to streamline the licence plate renewal process and save costs, an increasing number of provinces are moving away from providing drivers with physical stickers to place on their rear licence plates. The Ontario government has stated that law enforcement bodies in other jurisdictions have been made aware of changes to Ontario’s licence plate sticker program.

The receipt which you received from Service Ontario should have an order date, as well as the length of renewal (one year or two years). For most drivers, the sticker will need to be renewed before their birthday in one or two years. It is recommended that drivers keep this receipt in their vehicle with other official documents, such as proof of insurance and the vehicle registration. Drivers should also physically remove dated licence plate stickers from their licence plates.

Ontario vehicle owners can also obtain proof of the expiration date of their licence plate by visiting a Service Ontario location with their existing vehicle permit and requesting that a new permit be printed, at no charge, for the purpose of travelling out of province.