Historic Vehicle Plates: Pros/Cons in Ontario, Canada

[Terry Witiuk]

When transferring ownership of my Ferret, I chose regular plates based on the description/restrictions by MTO for use of a vehicle if licensed with Historic Vehicle plates. I knew that I would be driving it more for pleasure than for parades or exhibition. I figured that if something terrible happened while out on a "Sunday afternoon drive", the insurance company would be quick to investigate and possibly find a way to not cover me. Better safe than sorry. Insured the Ferret through Lant Insurance with Haggerty as the actual insurance company or underwriter.
Cheers, Terry.

[Mike Gray]

Seems there are no definitive guide lines for HMVs in this country, regardless of where you live. I agree with Stuart, perhaps OMVA could step up to the plate and design a draft document and guidelines. Having also been to many vintage vehicle shows, I have seen many of them come up on two wheels when they let go, and nothing happens. Some of them should not actually be on the road. Yet to see a Carrier do that.
However, I can not recall ever seeing an M4 Sherman being stopped and handed a ticket. Perhaps we should just trade in all our stuff and buy a tank.

[Stuart Fedak]

Originally Posted by Mike Gray

Seems there are no definitive guide lines for HMVs in this country, regardless of where you live. I agree with Stuart, perhaps OMVA could step up to the plate and design a draft document and guidelines.

The situation in Canada is the Provinces/Territories are each responsible for things such as the Highway Traffic Act and then further details are further limited by the municipalities. This has resulted in the variation of rules and regulations that we have.

I am impressed by the work that has been done by Western Command in BC who have pro-actively worked with the other players, namely the Province and the insurance carrier. Based on what has been discussed, the BC model could be considered "Best Practice". I feel this type of liaison work, is what any organization that claims to be a Provincial Association, should do.

In an ideal world, if we had a truly functioning Ontario Association, then that organization would be working with the MTO and the insurance industry to make sure that our interests were being taken care of. These issues are best taken care of by the Ontario Association, rather than the individual at the counter of the local Service Ontario outlet.

When you look at the issue of "Historic Vehicle" plates, the MTO issues the plates, and I think the insurance broker that really understands the market is Lant Insurance

Ref: https://www.lant-ins.ca/

When you look at military vehicles with Historic Vehicle plates, they would fall into...

Ref: https://www.lant-ins.ca/collector-car-definitions/

...... " Antique and Classic Automobiles (25 years or older)

Automobiles that are at least 25 years of age including commercial weight collectible automobiles such as: retired military trucks, retired semi/dump/tow/trucks, and retired farm tractors. " ....

They also have a listing of Cruise Nights...

ref https://www.lant-ins.ca/cruise-night...cruise-nights/

and events....

ref: https://www.lant-ins.ca/cruise-nights-events/events/

To me, this suggests that the various historic vehicle clubs in Ontario are already co-operating with the insurance broker, and letting them know about scheduled events. So, if there was a functioning Historic Military Vehicle Ontario Association, it seems to me, some of the process is already worked out.

I believe that this would be a value added service that could be considered by the Ontario Military Vehicle Association.

I would like to hear from the OMVA to see if this is something that they would consider..... If the OMVA, does not think this is a valuable service to the HMV community, then I would assume that this vacuum will most likely be occupied by some of the regional HMV organizations.

Your thoughts?

Stuart

[Mike Gray]

This has been an interesting thread, and the input from others on this is great. I agree with Stuart, that B.C. and Western Command have set up a good model and example to follow. And Lant in Ontario is doing a good job of maintaining some kind of level, but the playing field is not level and there are still a lot of grey areas. Most of us certainly can not road/highway the same speed as other vintage vehicles plated as Historic Vehicle. But, as pointed out previously in this thread, our Bren Carrier was ticketed and fined for not having Slow Moving Vehicle triangle, though we were not told it was required, or is it, when Historic Vehicle plates were issued us.

[Jack Innes]

From the Ontario Highway Traffic Act;

You need to display a slow-moving vehicle sign if your vehicle is not capable of reaching and sustaining a speed greater than 40 km/hour.

Vehicles that need a slow-moving vehicle sign include:
•construction equipment
•farm equipment
•street sweepers
•fork lifts
•low-speed vehicles

My carrier is CAPABLE of reaching & sustaining 40 km/hr (24.85 mph) so, by the act it does not require a slow moving triangle. 40 km/hr might not be wise on a paved road but wisdom rarely creeps in to the statement of the law!

[Terry Witiuk]

Aside from there being a scheduled OMVA Fall Swap Meet, as of right now I think there is no longer a functioning OMVA that can offer any help with this issue or concern.

[Harry Moon]

I kind of knew already from previous discussions both on MLU and person to person that we have a great deal with our Vintage plates in BC, the collector plate is also popular with quite a number who have MV's that can get around economically and reliably on your own. Right hand drive, big, or tracked MV's limits just tooling around to the store. Plus right from when I joined Western Command (1998) it has been a very active club with two chapters, Mainland and Vancouver Island. Lots of events, shared load, great participation and it has been a pleasure to be President of for 8 of the last 10 years.
Every odd year we try to do a convoy of at least a week duration and we have sure sorted out every conceivable mechanical and reliability issue and we are planning a big presence at the 2016 MVPA Convention in California.
I'll put this out there now that there are always empty seats and Guests are welcome to contact us about filling a seat or... driving something.