Section 12: Violations as to number plates

Ontario

Highway Traffic Act

Part II: Permits

(1) Every person who,

(a) defaces or alters any number plate, evidence of validation or permit;

(b) uses or permits the use of a defaced or altered number plate, evidence of validation or permit;

(c) without the authority of the permit holder, removes a number plate from a motor vehicle or trailer;

(d) uses or permits the use of a number plate upon a vehicle other than a number plate authorized for use on that vehicle;

(e) uses or permits the use of evidence of validation upon a number plate displayed on a motor vehicle other than evidence of validation furnished by the Ministry in respect of that motor vehicle; or

(f) uses or permits the use of a number plate or evidence of validation other than in accordance with this Act and the regulations,

is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 or to imprisonment for not more than thirty days, or to both, and in addition the person's licence or permit may be suspended for not more than six months. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 12 (1).

Property of the Crown

(2) Every number plate is the property of the Crown and shall be returned to the Ministry when required by the Registrar. 1999, c. 12, Sched. R, s. 5 (1); 2017, c. 9, s. 2 (1).

Notice to plate holder

(2.1) The Registrar may cause notice to be given to the holder of a number plate that the number plate is required to be returned to the Ministry. 2017, c. 9, s. 2 (2).

Same

(2.2) Notice under subsection (2.1) is sufficiently given if delivered personally or mailed to the latest address of the holder of the number plate on the records of the Ministry. 2017, c. 9, s. 2 (2).

No right to be heard

(2.3) There is no right to be heard before notice is given under subsection (2.1). 2017, c. 9, s. 2 (2).

Cancellation of number plate

(2.4) The Registrar may cancel a number plate if it is not returned within 60 days after the date by which it is required to be returned, but if the Registrar is satisfied that the number plate is damaged, altered, deteriorated or worn such that it may not be accurately photographed by an electronic toll system, automated speed enforcement system or red light camera system, the Registrar may cancel the number plate if it is not returned within 30 days after the required date. 2017, c. 9, s. 2 (2).

Same

(3) For the purpose of subsections (2) to (2.4),

"number plate" includes,

(a) a number plate bearing a requested number,

(b) evidence of validation,

(c) a permit, and

(d) Repealed: 2019, c. 4, Sched. 11, s. 3.

(e) an IRP cab card issued by the Ministry. 1999, c. 12, Sched. R, s. 5 (1); 2019, c. 4, Sched. 11, s. 3; 2017, c. 9, s. 2 (3).

© King's Printer for Ontario, 2012-2021. The text is not the official version of Ontario's Highway Traffic Act or associated regulations. For official text, refer to www.ontario.ca/laws.