RVing with a HD Pick up in Ontario

[almcc]

I'm not sure if this is the correct forum to post in but I will ask a question to see if other RVers in Ontario will respond.

All pick up trucks in Ontario (both LD and heavy duty) are classed as commercial, the LD one can be deemed "for personal use" but HD ones can't. Our 5th wheel is heavy, so a HD dually is what we pull it with.

I just received a letter saying I owe $119 for an extension period granted because of COVID, now the grant is over, they now want payment. The payment has to be made to the Ministry of Finance (not sure how), not Service Ontario where we get our license stickers renewed.

I'm wondering if other Ontario RVers with HD pick ups have just received the letter. I have emailed the "bureaucracy" to find out more!

[almcc]

JaxDad wrote:

Grit dog wrote:
While this question is not at all RVing related, I just learned that it is possible for govt motor vehicles registration to be far more difficult and screwed up than I could have imagined...

Actually having seen the way it works in numerous jurisdictions I must say that IMHO the system in Ontario is very simple and straightforward.

There is no ad valorem tax (at any level never mind multiples) or annual inspections required. There is a single flat rate fee for license plates (tags) that is based on the RGW of the vehicle for trucks, cars, m/h’s and trailers are free.

JaxDad, I don't agree with your comment about Ontario being simple. I had a friend (a retired cop) comment that my truck/RV combo requires me to have an "A" license, why? Simply because the regulations are so complicated and written by lawyers that even a cop can't understand them! If a cop can't understand them, how are we citizens supposed to understand and follow them?

[JaxDad]

Grit dog wrote:
While this question is not at all RVing related, I just learned that it is possible for govt motor vehicles registration to be far more difficult and screwed up than I could have imagined...

Actually having seen the way it works in numerous jurisdictions I must say that IMHO the system in Ontario is very simple and straightforward.

There is no ad valorem tax (at any level never mind multiples) or annual inspections required. There is a single flat rate fee for license plates (tags) that is based on the RGW of the vehicle for trucks, cars, m/h’s and trailers are free.

[Grit_dog]

While this question is not at all RVing related, I just learned that it is possible for govt motor vehicles registration to be far more difficult and screwed up than I could have imagined...

[camp-n-family]

Got the third letter, the actual invoice, today. What a waste of money on postage and paper. The method of payment is also very inconvenient. Certified cheque or money order or you can pay online through the Ontario Pay and File website which is not very user friendly.

Pretty sure it cost the government more than the $23 I owed to send 3 letters and process payment. No wonder the MTO licensing stickers were dropped because it cost more than it made.

[camp-n-family]

JaxDad wrote:

camp-n-family wrote:
Any vehicle in Ontario with a gvwr over 4,500kgs (9900lbs) is automatically deemed a commercial vehicle regardless of its purpose.

That’s not true, there are certainly many vehicles that are not caught in that. Motorhomes are a prime example. All 3 of mine, A, C and a ‘work in progress’ truck conversion have “passenger” (blue) plates on them.

The C has a 10,500 lbs GVWR, the A has a 22,000 lbs GVWR, and the TC has a 60,600 GVWR.

You’re right. I was specifically referring to trucks but wasn’t clear.

[JaxDad]

camp-n-family wrote:
Any vehicle in Ontario with a gvwr over 4,500kgs (9900lbs) is automatically deemed a commercial vehicle regardless of its purpose.

That’s not true, there are certainly many vehicles that are not caught in that. Motorhomes are a prime example. All 3 of mine, A, C and a ‘work in progress’ truck conversion have “passenger” (blue) plates on them.

The C has a 10,500 lbs GVWR, the A has a 22,000 lbs GVWR, and the TC has a 60,600 GVWR.

[BurbMan]

camp-n-family wrote:
I can’t be bothered with the hassle to save a few bucks and pay for the max gvwr.

Same here in Indiana...we moved here last year and wanted to register for the max GVWR of 12,300, but you don't get to pick any number, you have to go with pre-established classes, and the only choices were 10,000 and 16,000...so I have to pay for 16k to get my full GVWR.

[almcc]

camp-n-family wrote:


The first letter lays this all out.

Thanks for this! I am at "step 2", I got the first and second letter, waiting for the invoice. I may just make their life complicated (as they have made ours!) by indicating the truck was off the road so they have to through the complications that they have put us through. I just wanted to see if others in Canada are going through the same hassles. I emailed the "bureaucracy" and asked a question, they responded in an automatic reply that they are overwhelmed with mails and phone calls about the letters.

As another comment in terms of commercial vehicles I note that even our neighbour with a little Honda Ridgline pick up has a commercial plate on it!

[camp-n-family]

Any vehicle in Ontario with a gvwr over 4,500kgs (9900lbs) is automatically deemed a commercial vehicle regardless of its purpose. Ontario recently deleted the requirement for annual license plate stickers and the fees (still have to renew annually but there is no fee or date sticker) for non commercial vehicles but commercial vehicles still have a renewal fee. The amount of the fee depends on the gvwr it is registered for. You can actually register for a max gvwr for the summer tow season and then get a refund by going back and registering it for lower when not towing the rest of the year. You just need to make sure you raise it back before you’re going to tow again. The fines for towing over registered weight are very high if caught. I can’t be bothered with the hassle to save a few bucks and pay for the max gvwr.

[bukhrn]

I know we have language differences, but does the word "commercial" have a different meaning in Canada than it does down here?
Down here commercial implies that you are using it for a business.

[camp-n-family]

I got the letter owing $23 even though I had already renewed my license plates. I was 2 weeks overdue because the first time I went to the MTO right at the time when stickers were no longer needed the person didn’t know what to do and told me to come back in a couple weeks.

The pain is that you can’t just go to the MTO or online and pay the balance. You have to set up an account for a deferred payment plan. You will get 3 letters in the mail. The first states what you owe and how to apply for the plan. It includes a registration id number. A week later you will get another with your PIN number to access the account. It gives you the website to go to in order to set up the account using the id and PIN number. You will then get another as an invoice for balance owing. You can then pay in a lump sum or deferred payments. You also have the opportunity to declare if the vehicles weren’t being used during the covid period.

The first letter lays this all out.