How To Cancel Car Registration In Ontario
Vehicle registration cancellation in Ontario is governed by the Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8 and Ontario Regulation 628 - Vehicle Permits. Vehicle owners must follow specific procedures through authorized ServiceOntario centres to properly cancel their registration and potentially receive refunds for unused registration periods.
ServiceOntario Centre Services
To cancel your vehicle registration in Ontario, you must visit an authorized ServiceOntario centre or submit your cancellation request by mail. ServiceOntario centres provide government services on behalf of the provincial government and are authorized to process vehicle registration cancellations under provincial legislation.
Required Documentation and Procedures
In-Person Cancellation Process
To cancel your vehicle registration in person, you must visit a ServiceOntario centre with the following required documents:
- Acceptable identification as specified by ServiceOntario
- Your current licence plate(s)
- Original vehicle permit (green ownership permit)
- Payment for applicable service fees
Mail-In Cancellation Process
You may also cancel your registration by mail by sending the following items to ServiceOntario:
- A written request signed by all registrants shown on the registration certificate
- Your Ontario driver's licence number or Registrant Identification Number (RIN)
- Your licence plate number and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Your current mailing address for refund processing
- Written verification from the jurisdiction where you are surrendering your plates (if applicable)
- Your licence plates (if required by the receiving jurisdiction)
Mail your cancellation request to:
ServiceOntario
Licence Renewals Section
P.O. Box 9100
Kingston Ontario
K7L 5K3
Service Fees and Government Charges
According to the current driver and vehicle fees, the following fees apply to vehicle registration services:
- Vehicle permit replacement: $32.00
- Licence plate replacement: $25.13 - $127.17
- Trailer plate, permit and licence plate sticker: $72.00
Special Circumstances and Authorizations
Multiple Registrants
When a vehicle has multiple registrants listed on the registration certificate, all registrants must sign the cancellation request. This requirement ensures proper authorization for the cancellation process.
Third-Party Authorization
If you are not the registered owner or if someone else is handling the cancellation on your behalf, you must complete a Third Party Letter of Authorization. This form grants permission for a third party to conduct registry transactions on your behalf.
Out-of-Province Moves
When moving to another province, you need to exchange your Ontario licence plates of the new jurisdiction. In such cases, you must provide written verification from the receiving jurisdiction as part of your cancellation request.
Can You Get a Refund on Vehicle Registration in Ontario?
Yes, vehicle owners in Ontario may be eligible for refunds when cancelling their vehicle registration.
Current Refund Eligibility
Following the elimination of licence plate renewal fees in March 2022, refunds are primarily available for:
- Heavy commercial vehicles (over 3,001 kg)
- Motorized snow vehicles (unused validation stickers only)
- Passenger vehicles, light commercial vehicles, motorcycles and mopeds(one-time refunds for licence plate sticker fees paid between March 2020 and March 12, 2022)
Refund Processing Timeline
Standard Processing Period
Refund cheques are typically mailed within 4 to 6 weeks from the date of cancellation. Processing time may vary depending on government workload and verification requirements.
Refund Inquiry Process
If you have not received your refund after 6 weeks, contact:
ServiceOntario
1-800-387-3445 (Driver and Vehicle services)
TTY: 1-800-268-7095
For refund cheque inquiries specifically, call 1-888-333-0049.
Service Fee Regulations
If you experience issues with ServiceOntario services or refund processing, you may contact the Consumer Contact Centre:
ServiceOntario Customer Service
416-326-1234 (Toronto area)
1-800-267-8097 (toll-free within Ontario)
For specific concerns about service delivery or consumer protection matters, ServiceOntario maintains a customer service commitment outlining service standards and complaint resolution procedures.