An Ontario driver who received a $ 495 ticket warns people about a rule he says he didn’t know still exists after the province abolished license plate renewal fees.
Matthias Rousseau, who lives in Brampton, Ont., Says he received a $ 489 ticket while driving in Gatineau, Quebec, with his license plate expired in April. He said that when the province abolished fees and the requirement for stickers, he suggested that renewal was also no longer necessary.
“I didn’t know I still had to go through the process,” Rousseau said. “It simply came to our notice then. I thought it was no longer required because there was no longer a fee attached. “
“We could probably be a little better informed about that.”
The province removed taxes and stickers back in March, saying the change would save Ontario drivers about $ 120 a year. The government then clarified that while the province will drop taxes, residents will still have to renew their numbers.
“The law is for vehicle owners to renew their license plates every one or two years for free to confirm that their car insurance is valid and to pay any outstanding fees, fines or tolls,” said a spokesman for the Ministry of Transport. in an email to CTV News Toronto on Wednesday.
“Expired registration numbers will remain subject to enforcement.”
Rousseau said he plans to fight for the ticket he received because he believes the government has left residents confused as to whether they should renew their registration numbers with the new changes.
The province recently stopped mailing notices of paper renewal to people with expired driver’s licenses, license plates and health cards, saying people who want to be reminded must register for a digital reminder.
A spokesman for the ministry stressed that Ontario drivers still have to renew their license plates, adding that they have the opportunity to apply for a one- or two-year renewal. No renewal costs.
Ontario drivers can renew their on-site registration numbers at ServiceOntario, online or by mail.
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