Act

Get It Done Act, 2024 - Proposed Amendments to the Highway Traffic Act Enabling a New Vehicle Permit (Licence Plate) Renewal Process

Regulation Number(s):
N/A
Instrument Type:
Act
Bill or Act:
Highway Traffic Act, RSO 1990
Summary of Decision:
Received Royal Assent on May 16, 2024.
Analysis of Regulatory Impact:
There are no direct compliance costs associated with this legislative proposal.

The proposed legislative amendments would not alter the current requirements for vehicle owners to validate their vehicle permit. Impacts of supporting regulations will be assessed and published in a subsequent posting when the regulations are developed; however, significant time savings may be realized. Based on preliminary ministry analysis, the supporting regulations, when developed and if approved, may impact approximately 0.35 million businesses with 1.4 million registered vehicles with an estimated average annualized present value savings in time saved of $7.34 million.
Further Information:
Proposal Number:
24-MTO003
Posting Date:
February 20, 2024
Summary of Proposal:
The Government of Ontario:

Is creating the conditions to rebuild Ontario's economy to support better jobs and deliver economic prosperity.

Is helping to get shovels in the ground sooner on new roads, highways and public transit in order to reduce gridlock, help ensure we have housing for a growing population and move the province's economy forward.

Believes in supporting workers, families and businesses with policies that keep costs down and make life easier and more convenient, including by protecting against the high cost of a provincial carbon tax, banning new tolls on public highways and freezing current fees on driver's licences and Ontario Photo Cards.

Will get it done.

In 2022, licence plate validation stickers and renewal fees were eliminated for passenger vehicles, light-duty commercial vehicles, motorcycles and mopeds, but vehicle owners were still required to renew permits on an annual or biannual basis at no cost. Building on this initiative and to make life easier for these vehicle owners, MTO is seeking amendments to the Highway Traffic Act to enable a new vehicle permit (licence plate) renewal process.

MTO is proposing to amend provisions of the Highway Traffic Act related to vehicle permits that would, if passed:

•Enable an automated vehicle permit validation program that will allow the Ministry of
Transportation to automatically renew eligible permits for passenger vehicles, motorcycles, mopeds and light duty commercial vehicles.

•Provide the Ministry of Transportation with regulation-making authority to implement the program by:
o outlining eligible vehicle classes;
o setting requirements for a vehicle permit's renewal, validity period, and cancellation;
o as well as notification requirements provided to vehicle owners.

•Regulation-making authority would be provided to allow the Ministry of Transportation to change a vehicle permit status or period of validation.

If the amendments are passed, and the program is implemented, no action would be required for vehicle owners in good standing (e.g., no compliance issues of insurance, defaulted fines, or tolls). Vehicle owners not in compliance would be notified prior to and after expiry with instructions on actions needed to return to compliance and enable renewal.

The proposal was originally published on February 20, 2024 for 30 days comment period ending March 21, 2024. On March 20, 2024 we extended the comment period for another 7 days (to March 28, 2024).

Contact Address:
Transportation Policy Branch
Ministry of Transportation
438 University Avenue, 12th Floor
Toronto ON M7A 1Z8
Royal Assent Date:
May 16, 2024
Decision:
Approved