Ontario licence plate renewal fees: Your top questions answered
Ontario drivers will no longer need to pay to renew their licence plates.
The new legislation was announced Tuesday by Premier Doug Ford, who said that “people don't need any more hurdles in the way of getting back on their feet and back to normal” after the pandemic.
Here’s what you need to know:
When does this start?
The legislation goes into effect on March 13, 2022.
Who does this apply to?
The policy applies to passenger vehicles, light-duty trucks, motorcycles and mopeds. Heavy commercial vehicles and snowmobiles are not included.
What happens if my licence plate expires in the next month?
The province has extended the validation period of licence plates for eligible vehicle owners to March 31, 2022 so that it coincides with the new policy.
Is this policy retroactive?
This policy is retroactive to the beginning of the pandemic. Anyone who paid to renew their licence plate between March 1, 2020 and March 2022 will be refunded.
How do I get my refund?
Drivers will receive a cheque in the mail automatically, as long as their fines and tickets have been paid for. Individuals are being asked to update their address here if it is not up to date.
The cheques should be mailed by the end of April. Drivers have been warned that in order to get a check by the end of April, their address must be up to date as of March 7.
Do I need to renew my licence?
Yes. Vehicle owners will still be required to renew their licence plate every one or two years for insurance purposes. There will be no fee or sticker.
You can renew your licence here.
Does this impact my driver’s licence renewal?
No. Residents will still have to renew their drivers licences and pay the $90 fee.
What does this mean for law enforcement?
The province is investing in Automated Licence Plate Recognition technology, which they say can read thousands of licence plates per minute.
How much money will you save?
This program will save drivers about $120 a year—or about $60 if they live in northern Ontario.
How much is this costing the government?
Sources have told CTV News Toronto the Ontario government will lose at least $1 billion in revenue by cancelling licence plate renewal fees.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
AS IT HAPPENED Wildfire reaches Jasper Wednesday night, causes 'significant loss'
One of two wildfires threatening Jasper National Park reached the townsite Wednesday night and caused 'significant loss.'
Alberta calls in army to assist with wildfire situation
Alberta has called in the Canadian Armed Forces to help assist with the worsening wildfire situation in the province.
Biden explains why he ended re-election bid in Oval Office address
U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country's democracy as he laid out in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
Norad intercepts Russian and Chinese bombers operating together near Alaska in apparent first
The North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) intercepted two Russian and two Chinese bombers flying near Alaska Wednesday in what appears to be the first time the two countries have been intercepted while operating together.
2 Canadians being 'sent home immediately,' removed from Olympic team after drone incident
An analyst and an assistant coach with Canada Soccer are being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and 'sent home immediately,' according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.
An unwelcome attendee has joined the Paris Olympic Games: COVID-19
After a handful of Australian water polo players tested positive for COVID-19 this week, questions have emerged around how the spread of the disease will be mitigated at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Vacations, meals, booze: Contractor used $100K of charity's money for personal expenses, B.C. court finds
A B.C. man who was hired to help a non-profit build a food hub but instead spent the money on personal expenses – including travel, restaurants, booze and cannabis – has been ordered to pay more than $120,000 in damages.
Male, female killed, 2 others injured in 'gun battle' outside Toronto plaza: police
Two people are dead and two others suffered serious injuries following a shooting that police have described as a 'gun battle' outside a plaza in Scarborough, Ont. early Wednesday morning.