HAMILTON – The Ontario government says it is making life easier and more convenient for more than eight million drivers by becoming the first jurisdiction in North America to introduce automatic licence plate renewals.
The change takes effect on July 1 and will save vehicle owners time, amounting to more than 900,000 hours every year, the province said in a news release.
“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is making life more affordable and convenient for drivers,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation.
“First, we eliminated licence plate sticker fees for passenger vehicles, saving drivers $120 a year for every car they own. Now, we’re saving drivers valuable time and making their lives easier by automatically renewing licence plates.”
Licence plates for passenger vehicles, light-duty trucks, motorcycles and mopeds will renew automatically 90 days before expiry if the vehicle owner has valid insurance and no outstanding fines or tolls.
If a licence plate cannot be renewed automatically, the vehicle owner will be notified and required to manually renew online or in person at ServiceOntario, according to the MTO.
"The automatic licence plate renewal program stems from our government's unwavering commitment to deliver modern, seamless and time-saving services," said Todd McCarthy, minister of public and business service delivery and procurement.
"By utilizing innovative technological solutions to streamline and improve government services, we are saving Ontarians precious time and money."
Until automatic licence plate renewals take effect, vehicle owners are required to manually renew their plates at no cost.
Ontario drivers can check their licence plate status at ontario.ca/platerenewal.
"Automatic licence plate renewals are part of our government’s plan to make life easier and more convenient for Ontarians. We will always work to remove red tape and make services more accessible to all," said Donna Skelly, MPP for Flamborough-Glanbrook.
"Providing automatic licence plate renewals underscores this government’s commitment to modernizing services," added Frank Notte, director of government relations for the Motor Vehicle Retailers of Ontario.
"Removing the yearly hassle of reporting to the government saves people and businesses a precious commodity – their time. Ontario’s 1,100 new car and truck retailers applaud Premier Ford and his government for driving efficiencies and removing unnecessary bureaucracy for vehicle owners."
"Insurance Bureau of Canada applauds the government’s continued efforts to make it easier and more convenient for Ontario drivers to access the services they need and is pleased to support the implementation of automatic license plate renewals," said Amanda Dean vice-president, Ontario and Atlantic with the Insurance Bureau of Canada.
Quick facts:
- Vehicle owners can ensure they do not miss digital notifications about issues related to automatic renewal by signing up for ServiceOntario reminders at https://reminders.ontario.ca/en or 1-800-387-3445.
- Vehicle owners who have signed up for ServiceOntario digital notifications will be sent notifications through email, text, or voicemail if their licence plates cannot be renewed at 90, 45, and 10 days before expiry, and again at 72 hours after expiry.
- Vehicle owners who have not signed up for digital notifications will be sent paper notifications by mail 90 days before expiry and 72 hours after expiry.
- In 2022, the Ontario government eliminated licence plate sticker fees and stickers for passenger vehicles, saving drivers up to $120 a year for every car they own.
- The introduction of automatic licence plate renewals will not change the way the province, municipalities or the 407 ETR collect unpaid fines and tolls.
- In May 2024, the Get It Done Act received Royal Assent allowing for the transition to automatic renewal of licence plates.
