The province has announced that they will be reinstating the renewal requirements for licence plate stickers that were temporarily paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Heavy commercial vehicle owners with licence plate stickers that expired on or after March 1, 2020, and have not renewed, will now be required to pay for the current period and the COVID-19 extended validity period.
However, after tireless advocacy work by the Ontario Motor Coach Association (OMCA) and its president Vince Accardi, supported by TIAO, the Ministry of Transportation has granted heavy commercial vehicles such as motor coach operators an exemption from having to pay the licence plate sticker renewal fees. Vehicles that were inactive after their licence plate stickers expired and during the extended validity period will be able to apply for an exemption to the renewal fee.
This policy will assist struggling motor coach operators whose vehicles had been parked throughout the pandemic, not generating any revenue due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, lockdowns, and reopening restrictions. The exemption ensures that motor coach operators will not have to pay for a period in which their vehicles have been inactive, saving motor coach operators approximately $1,200 per vehicle, and ensuring that they can retain their vehicle fleets to support recovery.
As a proud partner of the OMCA, TIAO thanks the Ministry of Transportation for introducing this measure, which will support the recovery of the motor coach sector—a key part of Ontario’s tourism industry in facilitating the movement of visitors to destinations and attractions across the province.
TIAO will continue to support its industry partners in advocating for government action that aids the recovery of all tourism sectors in Ontario.