Do I have to change my license plate?

[heardman]

So, I am going to university out in Ontario. Will I be able to leave my Alberta plates on out here for the duration of my stay or will I eventually have to change them?

[habernac]

if you're coming back in the summers you can probably keep them I would think.

You will have to check the provincial legislation on that.

[Looger]

i was able to keep my bc plates in alberta but i do beleive Bent Wookie has a point, check with ontario registration.

is there an advantage to keeping alberta plates? i thought they were the most expensive for younger folks

[AaronSJ]

Officially, the rule is that you need to change plates after 90 days in Ontario and your driver's license after 10 days.

However, as long as you can keep your Alberta registration and plates current (i.e. not expired), you'll be fine. In the event you are stopped, you can just say that you are visiting. I know many people that have done it for 2+ years. It'll help to have a "permanent" Alberta address (a parent or a friend)...

Which university?

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Looger

is there an advantage to keeping alberta plates?

When I went back to Winnipeg for school there was one time nobody went out to remove the chalk from our tires, so everybody got tickets. Except for me; I got a booklet that said "Welcome to Winnipeg, please be aware of our traffic laws" as well as some coupons for Brannigan's. We all went for beers after.

Other thing I we did; I needed to turn left and the turn lane was about 6 lights long. We were in a hurry, so I handed my girlfriend a map, told her to open it and start pointing, and to start hitting me. I went up to the front of the line and put my signal on. 3 different cars were jockeying to let me in at the front.

Best part of that- right after my girlfriend commented that I had handed her a map of Calgary.

[Cheese]

I see a number of out of town plates here in KW during the year as students descend on Waterloo.
Calgary Pucks "Hesla" was a student here for a few years and kept his Alta plates.

[STeeLy]

I myself don't have a car... but I heard that you have to change your plate if you stay there for longer than an X amount of time... I know that is for BC.. as for other provinces... i don't know...

[Hemi-Cuda]

well i had BC plates on my car for the time that i attended SAIT, and my ICBC told me that as long as i was a student i could insure through them. not sure how the private alberta ones do it, but i would think that for as long as you're in school it should be fine

[Temporary_User]

Haha I have US plates up here for Alberta.
Im a student

[BlackArcher101]

When I attended Uni in Thunder Bay ON, I had no problem keeping everything albertan... and my insurance company knew I was there. As long as you come back for the summers, then you are OK. Otherwise you then become a resident of Ontario.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by ken0042

When I went back to Winnipeg for school there was one time nobody went out to remove the chalk from our tires, so everybody got tickets. Except for me; I got a booklet that said "Welcome to Winnipeg, please be aware of our traffic laws" as well as some coupons for Brannigan's. We all went for beers after.

The city of Edmonton (iirc) is getting tired of people taking advantage of that, and are starting to ticket out-of-province plates after 3 warnings. The news story mentioned that one car from Saskatchewan had 72 warning tickets on file.

[White Doors]

The only thing you have to worry about is insurance. If you get in an accident in Ontario with Alberta plates and they find out that you were in fact living there, they could deny you coverage.

[kipperfan]

Originally Posted by heardman

So, I am going to university out in Ontario. Will I be able to leave my Alberta plates on out here for the duration of my stay or will I eventually have to change them?

I am doing the same thing right now....just moved out here for school, I am not taking my plates off or changing my license....like someone else said if you ever get stopped just say your visiting.

[White Doors]

Originally Posted by kipperfan

I am doing the same thing right now....just moved out here for school, I am not taking my plates off or changing my license....like someone else said if you ever get stopped just say your visiting.

And what happens if you get into an accident?

[BlackArcher101]

Tell your insurance company you are going to school if you are worried about it.

I told mine, they had no issue with it whatsoever and no change to my coverage resulted from it. No need to say you are visiting. Tell em the truth, it's allowed.

[White Doors]

It's always the best bet to be upfront and honest. That's all I'm saying.