Historic Vehicle Plates: Pros/Cons in Ontario, Canada

[Stuart Fedak]

Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh

My interpretation of the Historic Plate is its limited annual mileage clause. ... my vote it to plate the Jeep like a car and only deal with the insurance company restrictions.

I have not seen a limited annual mileage clause in the Highway Traffic Act (Ontario). I assume you are referring to the additional restrictions imposed by private insurance, when a vehicle is insured as a Historic Vehicle.

I agree on the importance of keeping any vehicle running and exercised to keep all the seals, gaskets and parts moving. There seems to be a consensus that just taking a vehicle out a few times a season is not enough....

I consider the slightly higher vehicle registration and insurance costs are well worth the ability to decide on a wonderful afternoon to jump in the Jeep, take the BBQ and go for a drive along the Rideau River and stop for supper.

I also prefer to drive my "Jeep" to events within a 300 km radius of Ottawa, rather than tow it to the event.

I understand that for certain Historic Vehicles, that the Historic Vehicle plate may offer some advantages.... To quote a phase in use in Canada at the moment, my "Jeep" ... "is just not ready yet...." to be a Historic Vehicle.

Cheers!
Stuart

[Edwin Wand]

How does one define a properly constituted automobile club.

Presumably, something organized by the Cdn War Museum could be an issue because it is not an automobile club. Could the same be said about a Lions Club somewhere when they include a jeep or two in their May Day parade?

The same wording seems to apply to a dealer's plate. There have been instance where dealer plates have been used to allow historic vehicles to be driven without having to worry about insurance, plates and safety certificates.

[Stuart Fedak]

Edwin,
I have found over the years that jurisprudence can be very confusing to understand properly, as some things are not very well defined. This is often done on purpose. Also, some jurisprudence "remains silent" on the details, which leaves the final interpretation to a judge, if and when the case goes to court. It also means, that until it is tested in court, the fine points will not be obvious.

To make things even more confusing, you can be dealing with several layers of government, federal, provincial, and municipal who all tend to interfere and try to further define things, which they may or may not have authority to limit or permit.

The other confusing thing, is any item in law, can not be interpreted in isolation or in a few lines. It is usually in combination with other laws, regulations and amendments to an act.

In looking at the issue of "Historic Vehicle" plates in Ontario, I just would like to understand when is this a good thing (from the perspective of the collector) and when is it more trouble (again from the perspective of the collector).

In my case where I like to drive my vehicle a lot over the summer months, it appears there is not really any advantage to the Historic Vehicle plates. It just seems to be more restrictive.

For those who have gone the route of the "Historic Vehicle" plate in Ontario, what did you consider the advantage to be, in your particular case?

When I read...

(b) is operated on a highway in parades, for purposes of exhibition, tours or similar functions organized by a properly constituted automobile club ........... and when organizations such as the Ontario Military Vehicle Association (OMVA) do not seem to be interested in sponsoring parades or tours, who do we have left in Ontario that can be a properly constituted automobile club?

I think at one time the local chapters of OMVA could help sponsor events, but it seems those days are gone...... This seems a valuable service that could be done for those who have their vehicles registered as "Historic Vehicles"......

Your thoughts?

Stuart