How to renew your Ontario driver’s licence and registration documents during lockdown
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Ontario declared its second state of emergency in effect as of Thursday, January 14, 2021 at midnight. Ontarians are advised to stay at home except for essential travel and are expected to continue following restrictions and public health measures. With the societal turmoil that we’ve experienced over the past year, many Ontarians have been unable to renew essential driving documents, including their driver’s licence and plate stickers. isure gathered all the information you need to travel safely (and legally) to your essential destinations during lockdown.
Please note that ServiceOntario requests that you only visit a location if absolutely necessary. Before heading to a location near you, please check if the service you require is available online. If not, double check that the specific location is open and offers that specific service. If you must visit, ensure you are following all COVID-19 health and safety protocols by washing your hands thoroughly, maintaining a social distance of 2 metres and by coughing/sneezing into your sleeve or tissue.
Driver’s licences
Most driver’s licences in Ontario expire every five years after renewal. If you have a driver’s licence that will expire soon or has expired less than 1 year ago, you can renew it online if:
- You don’t need a new photo (you must take a new photo every 10 years)
- You have a full licence (G, M class) that isn’t cancelled, suspended or expired for more than 12 months
- You have a combination class of G1M, G2M, GM1, GM2, M1 or M2 (only the full portion will be renewed online)
- You haven’t updated your address within the last 90 days
- You don’t need tests (vision, written, or road)
- You’re not removing a vision condition
- You have no new medical conditions that may prevent you from driving
- You don’t have outstanding fines or penalties
If eligible to renew online, you will need:
- Your driver’s licence number
- The 7-digit trillium number found on the back of your licence card
- Your postal code
- Pay $90 for a 5-year licence renewal (Fees vary depending on renewal period or if you’re 76+ years of age)
After you’ve completed this process, you will be sent a temporary driver’s licence validation document if your licence has already expired OR you renew within 28 days of your current licence’s expiry date. Download, print and keep this document with your old licence until your new one arrives in the mail 4-6 weeks from renewal date.
Please note that you cannot renew online if your driver’s licence is cancelled or has been expired for more than 12 months. Additionally, you can sign up for email reminders to notify you 60 and 30 days before your licence expires to avoid any hassle.
You will need to visit a ServiceOntario location if:
- You must take a new driver’s licence photo, which is required every 10 years
- You are unable to download and print your temporary document (you require this to drive legally until your new licence arrives in the mail)
- You lose or need to replace your temporary document
- You have to replace a lost, stolen or damaged driver’s licence (at a fee of $35.75)
- Your new driver’s licence has not arrived and your temporary validation document is about to expire
- You need to update both your address and driver’s licence at the same time
- You need to change the sex designation on your driver’s licence to male (M), female (F) or X (gender neutral)
Renew your driver’s licence here: ontario.ca
Changing your information on a driver’s licence
Changing your name, date of birth, sex designation and/or other personal information on your driver’s licence will determine whether you are able to do so online or not.
Licence plate stickers
As a driver in Ontario, you are required to have a valid licence plate sticker to drive legally. Your renewal period depends on vehicle type and whether you chose to renew your plate stickers annually or every two years before the renewal date. You are able to renew online up to 180 days before the stickers are set to expire.
If eligible to renew online, you will need:
- Your licence plate number
- Your vehicle permit number
- Your odometer reading
- Your insurance company name and policy number
- To pay any outstanding fines, tolls and fees
- To pay for your renewal fees (cost and delivery varies based on situation)
- Passenger vehicles in Southern Ontario – 1 year: $120, 2-year: $240
- Passenger vehicles in Northern Ontario – 1 year: $60, 2-year: $120
- For a full list of vehicles, visit the ServiceOntario website
- An emissions test (if renewing for a heavy-duty diesel vehicle) Find out if you need an emissions test here: ontario.ca
You will need to visit a ServiceOntario location if:
- You are renewing a sticker for a farm or heavy commercial vehicle over 3,000 kg
- If you have trouble renewing online
Renew your licence plate stickers here: ontario.ca
Please note your new licence plate sticker(s) will arrive in the mail within 14 days, but may take longer if you are outside of Ontario or when demand is higher than usual. You will get a temporary licence plate sticker validation document if you renew 14 days or less before expiry or after it expires. This will prove you renewed your sticker and gives you a 14-day extension from the order date. In the meantime, you must have this document printed and presentable in your vehicle until the new sticker arrives. Be sure to leave the existing expired sticker(s) on the licence plate until your new one(s) arrive in the mail.
Paying fines and licence reinstatement fees
Your defaulted fines must be paid in full before renewing your driver’s licence, plate stickers or ordering a personalized licence plate. This applies to any unpaid moving violations, including speeding, drinking and driving, careless driving and racing. These fines DO NOT include parking or highway toll fines. You may also need to pay a reinstatement fee if your licence has been suspended.
If eligible to pay online, you will need:
- Your driver’s licence number
- The suspension number or the offence number
Please note that payment of these fines and/or fees does not guarantee that you will be eligible to drive. If you are eligible, a “Notice of Outstanding Licensing Requirements,” along with a temporary driver’s licence, will be mailed to you next business day or can be obtained immediately at any ServiceOntario centre.
During these uncertain times, it’s important to stay up-to-date with all of your driving documents and renewals. This ensures that you are driving safely, responsibly and most importantly, legally. For more information regarding ServiceOntario locations, hours and contact information, visit ontario.ca/locations/serviceontario. To contact ServiceOntario, call 416-235-2999 or (toll-free) at 1-800-387-3445.
Tags: Driver Safety • driver's licence • licence • licence plate stickers • licence renewal • Ontario lockdown • ServiceOntario • sticker renewal
