Effective Jan.1, anyone purchasing or attaching farm licence plates to a new vehicle must show proof they have a farm business.
The change in farm licence plate requirements comes from Ontario’s auditor general reports noting increases in the number of vehicles with farm plates. The reports raised concerns that verification wasn’t required to obtain farm plates which cost significantly less than general plates. To reduce any abuse of the system, the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has implemented new verification requirements.
“While it may mean more paperwork, this is a good change for farm licence plate requirements,” says Don McCabe, Ontario Federation of Agriculture president. “Only qualified farmers can access farm plates and the benefits associated with having this designation.”
The new requirements only apply to new farm plate registrations and do not affect any current farm plate owners renewing their farm plates.
Vehicle owners purchasing or attaching farm plates to a new commercial vehicle over 3,000 kilograms must provide documentation to prove they have a farm business. A Farm Business Registration (FBR) number will be accepted by the MTO as proof and any of the following documents will also prove a farm business is registered (has an FBR number) or is exempt:
– A farm organization membership card (i.e. a valid OFA membership card);
– A Gross Farm Income Exemption Certificate;
– A letter from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs appeal tribunal indicating religious exemption;
– A letter from Agricorp with an FBR number; and
– A letter from the Indian Agriculture Program of Ontario confirming that the producer has met the FBR eligibility requirements.
