Trailer licencing - what does your province do?

[The Big Kid]

Some of this is really a rant, but I am interested to hear what other provinces do, and what people think.

My rant - Nova Scotia wants me to pay over $300 bucks for the privilege of towing my trailer on their roads. Why soooo much, because their RV tables of cost vs. weight only go to 5000 kg. Above that they charge you the annual "Heavy Commercial" rate. So I have to pay double what the guy who has a 4990 kg trailer does.

To top it all off, the sticker is good Jan 1 to Dec 31, no reduced rate until after sept where you will pay about 60% of the original cost for 3 months.

All this is not including insurance - this is the annual registration fee.

Am I the only one that thinks this is highway robbery - literally?

I know other provinces are different - I think BC has recently gone to a 1 time fee - then only when trailer changes hands, and Ontario has done something where the definition of trailer weight is axle weights of trailer axles.

What are your thoughts - and what are the rules where you are? I think I am going to write a complaint to the Registrar of motor vehicles.

[Scotia Skipper]

The last I heard, was that the 4500 kg tow limit applies in all provinces except Alberta. Pretty much the same thing south of the border.

[The Big Kid]

I have no problem with the driver licencing, I am just frustrated at the cost of getting the licence plate.

$300 a year for the priveledge of having my RV beat up on Nova Scotia highways, whereas if I had lied and told them it wieghed 200Kg lighter when I transfered from BC to NS, I would be paying less than half of that.

[wheelygoode]

We're from Nova Scotia too - and wish we were licensing in Ontario where $35 will do it!

[Arthur A]

In Ontario if your rig is over 4600 kg you need to have a class A license. The license is cheap but to get it I need to do a written test, covering mostly things commercial truck drivers need to know, take a driving test with my rig, and since I am over 65 have a yearly medical. When you add it all up it is less than $300 but very annoying. How many of you folks could pass a test knowing a trailer can be 14.65 meters long and may be as much as 16.15 meters under special conditions?

So I guess it does not matter where you live there are hoops to jump through and costs everywhere. I have tried to talk with many people in our Ministry of Transportation,and they refuse to listen to reason.

[The Big Kid]

I actually carry a class 1 with air due to my OTR background. That converts to a commercial AZ licence in Ontario I think.

my gripe is about the cost I have to pay for the annual Nova Scotia registration sticker for the licence plate on my 5th wheel Wilderness trailer.

then I get to insure the trailer.

[Arthur A]

In Ontario you would only have to pay for the trailer license once, when you purchase the trailer. There are no renewal fees on the trailer.

But the personal driver license is where the costs come in. My my medical, getting another form filled in by the doctor, and license renewal cost me $210. I also wasted one hour going to, and writing the written test and a half day getting to and doing the driving test. And I have to do that each year as I am over 65.
The reason for that is since the 5 th wheel is over 4600 kg they licence RVers using the rules for commercial drivers.

[jacmat]

In Québec trailer licensing fees are once, as long as you own the trailer.

But licensing fees for motorhomes is quite expensive. It varies according to the weight. My annual cost is approx $1000.

[brad03ca]

Arthur A, jacmat, and wheelygoode, good to see you all with us in the Canada Forum. Look forward to your future posts.
I agree the fees are good compared to other areas. It does feel good to get a break now and then..