General News

Make it your own: How to get a personalized license plate

July 10, 2023   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

We’ve all seen those automobile license plates with a little message spelled out in short form.

Usually, it means something to the driver, like a nickname or hobby.

Getting a personalized license plate for your vehicle is simple, but there are some rules you have to abide by.

You can buy a personalized license plate online for your vehicle or for someone else if you have a driver’s license number or registrant identification number.

You can also choose to include graphics such as the loon, a trillium, or the logo of your favourite Ontario professional sports team, community organization or university.

Personalized license plates with graphics are available with a choice of English or French slogans.

To order a personalized license plate, you will need your driver’s license number or registrant identification number, your choice of eligible license play content – letters, number, and graphics – and pay any fines you have that are outstanding.

The cost of ordering is $310 for two to eight characters without a graphic, $336.40 with a graphic, and $310 for motorcycles.

It takes four weeks for delivery.

To choose an appropriate personalized message, there are some guidelines and rules you must follow.

Passenger vehicle plates may be created using almost any combination of letters and numbers from two to eight characters. Motorcycles may have two to five characters.

Your application will not be accepted if the combination of letters and numbers you selected has already been issued.

Requests will not be approved if they are determined to be objectionable.

Objectionable requests include anything with a sexual message or meaning or sexual and eliminatory functions. Also included as objectionable are abusive, vulgar, derogatory, obscene or profane language or known offensive slang in any language.

Religious meaning or messaging is not allowed. However, the use of religious titles that are considered formal designation of persons within the religion are permitted.

There can be no reference to the sale of legal or illegal drugs, the effects of alcohol or drugs, or alcohol-related words, including brands.

When it comes to political figures, dignitaries, and law enforcement, there is a long list of prohibited messages, including references of well-known people or names and slurs against public people and organizations.

You can not use words that indicate criminal activity of any kind.

License plates can not have messages that indicate human rights discrimination.

Having a personalized license plate can be fun, but be sure to check all the rules before submitting a request.

Readers Comments (0)