License Plates - what a rip-off!

Your state seems to be using value as a basis. Some states use weight, in which the van would have cost more for the plates. It's a tax, and doesn't represent the cost of producing the plate.

Is the van a commercial type of vehical, as opposed to a private type vehicle ?
Domestic and commercial rate?

It's also property tax, based on value of the property.

... which the rat mentioned, I see.

In B.C. you have to get auto insurance before you can get your license plate. You can't get decals each year unless you've paid auto insurance either. Helps to keep uninsured folks off the roads.

Pretty good system, I think.

Most US states, if not all, have the same requirement.

The actual plates cost here from $12 for the normal up to $60 (I think) for those in titanium, plus the fees at the registration office (varies from county to county: around $35 in 'simple version').

There's no tax connected to that - besides VAT.

in ontario the "validation sticker" costs $74 per year (only $37 in northern ontario) .
the actual plates are "good for life" - until rusted out - and are usually taken from the old car to the new car . you see quite a few new cars with beat-up license plates .
there is a small extra charge if you actually want "new plates`. the plates on my car are 15 years old - i take good care of them :wink:
hbg

My thinking was along the lines of dadpad -- if your van is classified as a commercial vehicle, then the plate fees may be less.

Every state I've had plates in I've never noticed that the fee was commensurate to the value of the vehicle.