Dealer Plate and Service Plate

The Ministry of Transportation introduced a new licence plate for exclusive use by motor vehicle dealers. Starting December 1, 2004, the existing motor vehicle and trailer Dealer and Service Plates (yellow and black DLR series plates) will be phased out over a 26-month period (December 1, 2004 to February 1, 2007) and replaced with two distinct plates.

Click to view a sample
of the new Dealer plate.

New Dealer Plate/Permit

Ontario motor vehicle dealers licensed under the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act are eligible for the new Dealer Plate/Permit. The new Dealer Plate/Permit is a single portable plate with the word "DEALER" on the left side and red alpha-numeric characters on a white background. It is for exclusive use by motor vehicle dealers only on motor vehicles owned as part of the dealer's inventory of vehicles for sale. It may be used for private use in Ontario or for purposes related to the sale of motor vehicles that are owned as part of the dealer's inventory of vehicles for sale.

Effective December 1, 2004, motor vehicle dealers can return their existing Dealer and Service Plates to any Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office and purchase the new Dealer Plate/Permit for $30 each.

For new motor vehicle dealers, when purchasing the new Dealer Plate/Permit, you must provide the $30 fee and each of the following:

• The original dealer number certificate issued by the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC)
• Your driver's licence or two pieces of identification

If you are an existing motor vehicle dealer and you have a valid Dealer Authorization Letter (DAL) on file at your local issuing office, the plate, permit and the $30 fee is required to purchase the new Dealer Plate/Permit. However, if you do not have a valid letter on file (i.e., it has expired), please follow the requirements of a new motor vehicle dealer.

The validation fee remains the same at $13 per month, and any validation remaining on existing plates can be transferred to the new Dealer Plate/Permit.

Click to view a sample
of the new Service plate.

New Service Plate/Permit

Service providers, including anyone who repairs, customizes, modifies, manufactures or transports motor vehicles or trailers will continue to use the existing Dealer and Service Plate, which will be converted to the new Service Plate/Permit. The plate will remain unchanged but the permit will be modified to indicate the new service class of "SPR."

Effective December 1, 2004, service providers can convert their existing Dealer and Service Plates to the new Service Plates/Permits free of charge by presenting the permit to any Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office. A new applicant for a Service Plate/Permit must present a letter on company letterhead, outlining the reasons why the plate is required. A trailer dealer must present a Class A garage licence.

A Service Plate may be used:

• on a trailer or motor vehicle other than a motorcycle or motor-assisted bicycle for purposes related to the repair, road testing, customization or modification of the vehicle, if the vehicle is in the possession of the person to whom the service plate is issued, or
• for the purpose of transporting the vehicle by a person engaged in the business of transporting vehicles, or
• for purposes related to the manufacturing or sale of a trailer, or
• for the purpose of towing the vehicle by a person engaged in the business of transporting vehicles, or
• to tow a vehicle to a location where its load will be removed or to an impound facility.

Private use of motor vehicles or trailers with a service plate is not permitted.