Farm vehicle licence plate fees to increase

Thursday, March 15, 2012

by DAVE PINK

Farm vehicles, along with everything else that travels Ontario highways, will be hit by increased licence plate fees beginning next year.

The provincial Ministry of Transportation announced the increases this week, saying the extra revenue would be put toward maintaining the province’s highways and bridges.

Beginning in 2013 the cost of licensing the lowest weight class of farm vehicle (3,001 to 3,500 kilograms), will rise to $93 from $81, and will rise to $107 in 2014 and $123 in 2015, according to a ministry news release. The cost of licensing the heaviest class of farm vehicle  (63,001 to 63,500 kg) will rise from $641 to $737 next year, $848 in 2014 and $975 in 2015.

The ministry also announced that the charges for driver exams and driver’s licence renewals would rise in the coming year.

The increases, the first in 15 years, are in keeping with the recommendations contained in the report from the Drummond Commission, but remain among the lowest in Canada, the ministry says. BF