No, you cannot legally use one license plate for two cars in Canada. Each vehicle registered for on-road use must have its own, unique license plate assigned to it by the provincial or territorial licensing authority. Using a single plate on multiple vehicles is considered plate misrepresentation, which is a serious offense that can lead to significant fines, impoundment of the vehicle, and invalidation of your auto insurance in the event of an accident.
The primary reason for this strict rule is vehicle identification. License plates are the key identifier for law enforcement, toll systems, and red-light cameras. If two cars shared one plate, it would be impossible to accurately track violations, ownership, or involvement in incidents like hit-and-runs. Furthermore, your insurance policy is specifically tied to the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of a single car and its registered plate. Swapping a plate effectively renders the insurance coverage for the second vehicle void.
The process for registering a vehicle and receiving a plate is standardized across Canada, though specific fees and regulations vary by province. For example, in Ontario, when you purchase a new or used vehicle, you must register it at a ServiceOntario centre, pay the requisite fees, and receive a new permit and plate. You cannot simply transfer a plate from an old car you own to a new one you just bought without going through the proper transfer or registration process. Some provinces do allow you to transfer a plate from an old vehicle you are no longer using to a new one, but this formally de-registers the old vehicle and officially assigns the plate to the new one—it does not mean both cars are registered simultaneously.
| Potential Consequence | Description | Typical Fine Range (Varies by Province) |
|---|
| Traffic Fine | Cited for displaying the wrong plate or no valid plate. | $100 - $500 |
| Vehicle Impoundment | Police can impound the vehicle on the spot. | 7 to 30 days |
| Insurance Voidance | Insurance company may deny claims for damage or liability. | Full claim denial possible |
| Registration Suspension | The licensing authority may suspend your vehicle registration privileges. | N/A |
If you have two cars, the only legal path is to ensure each has its own properly registered license plate. The small cost of a second plate is insignificant compared to the financial and legal risks of getting caught sharing one.
