How To Renew a Vehicle Registration in Ontario
Vehicle registration renewal in Ontario is a mandatory requirement under provincial law, governed by the Highway Traffic Act. All vehicle owners must maintain current registration to operate legally on Ontario roads.
As of July 1, 2024, Ontario has implemented automatic licence plate renewals for eligible vehicles. This means your licence plate will automatically renew 90 days before it expires if you meet the eligibility requirements.
Automatic licence plate renewal
Your passenger vehicle, light commercial vehicle under 3,000 kg, motorcycle or moped licence plate will automatically renew if you:
• have valid vehicle insurance from an Ontario-licensed provider
• have no outstanding fines, fees or tolls
• have no issues with your vehicle registration
When your licence plate automatically renews:
• It will be valid for 1 year
• Law enforcement will instantly know your licence plate was renewed
• We will not contact you to confirm your plate was renewed
• You will not receive a sticker
• You will not pay a fee
Vehicles that automatically renew:
• passenger vehicles
• light commercial vehicles under 3,000 kg
• motorcycles
• mopeds
Vehicles that do not automatically renew:
• commercial and business vehicles over 3,000 kg
• motorhomes
• vehicles manufactured before 1983
• buses and school buses
• snowmobiles
Online licence plate renewal
If your licence plate cannot automatically renew, you can renew it online through ServiceOntario.
To renew online, you need:
• your licence plate number
• your vehicle identification number (VIN)
• current Ontario auto insurance information
• a credit card (Visa, Mastercard or American Express)
Online renewal: services.ontario.ca/web/licence-plate-renewal/information
Check your licence plate status: services.ontario.ca/check-expiry/en
Contact ServiceOntario: 1-800-267-8097
In-person renewal at ServiceOntario
You can renew your licence plate in person at any ServiceOntario centre. This option is available for all vehicle types.
Find a ServiceOntario centre: ontario.ca/locations/serviceontario
Book an appointment: ontario.ca/page/book-serviceontario-appointment
To renew in person, bring:
• valid Ontario driver's licence or acceptable identification
• current proof of insurance (pink insurance card)
• vehicle permit (recommended)
• payment (cash, debit, credit card or certified cheque)
If your licence plate will not renew automatically
Step 1: We will contact you
We will contact you if your licence plate cannot automatically renew because of issues with your insurance or outstanding fines or tolls.
If you signed up for digital reminders, we will notify you by text, email or phone 90 days, 45 days and 10 days before your licence plate expires.
If you have not signed up for digital reminders, we will mail you a letter 90 days before your licence plate expires.
Step 2: Take action
You must:
- Pay any outstanding fines, fees or tolls
- Make sure you have valid Ontario auto insurance
Step 3: Renew manually
After you resolve any issues, you must renew your licence plate online or in person at a ServiceOntario centre.
Special requirements
Outstanding fines and tolls
You must pay all outstanding fines, penalties and tolls before you can renew your licence plate. This includes:
• provincial offences fines
• parking violations
• Highway 407 ETR tolls
• court-ordered payments
It takes 2-3 business days for payments to be processed in our system.
Pay fines online: ontario.ca/page/pay-provincial-offences-online
Third-party authorization
Someone else can renew your licence plate for you if they have:
• a completed Third Party Letter of Authorization
• their valid Ontario driver's licence or photo card
• your valid Ontario driver's licence or photo card (original or photocopy)
• all required documents and payment
How Much Does It Cost to Renew a Vehicle Registration in Ontario?
Ontario eliminated licence plate renewal fees for most vehicles on March 13, 2022. This saves drivers $120 per year in southern Ontario and $60 per year in northern Ontario.
Current licence plate renewal fees:
Passenger vehicles and motorcycles
| Vehicle type | Previous fee | Current fee |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger car validation (southern Ontario) | $120 | $0 |
| Passenger car validation (northern Ontario) | $60 | $0 |
| Motorcycle validation (southern Ontario) | $42 | $0 |
| Motorcycle validation (northern Ontario) | $21 | $0 |
| Historic vehicle validation | $18 | $0 |
| Motor assisted bicycle validation | $12 | $0 |
Light commercial vehicles
| Vehicle type | Previous fee | Current fee |
|---|---|---|
| Light commercial vehicle (3,000 kg and under) - business use | $120 | $0 |
| Light commercial vehicle (3,000 kg and under) - personal use | $120 | $0 |
| Light commercial vehicle (3,000 kg and under) - personal use, northern Ontario | $60 | $0 |
Commercial vehicles that still have fees
| Vehicle type | Current fee |
|---|---|
| Heavy commercial vehicle - International Registration Plan | $265.25 - $4,693 |
| Heavy commercial vehicle - non-International Registration Plan | $265.25 - $4,693 |
| Farm vehicle | $157 - $1,245.50 |
| Bus and school bus | $134.75 - $2,260.75 |
| Trailer plate, permit and validation | $72 |
Specialty vehicles
| Vehicle type | Current fee |
|---|---|
| Motorized snow vehicle (southern Ontario) | $15 |
| Motorized snow vehicle (northern Ontario) | $0 |
| Dealer and service plate - motor vehicle or trailer | $0 |
| Dealer and service plate - motorcycle | $0 |
| Manufacturer plate - motor vehicle | $0 |
| Manufacturer plate - motorcycle | $0 |
Other vehicle services
| Service | Current fee |
|---|---|
| Vehicle permit (all vehicles) | $32 |
| New licence plate | $59 |
| Replacement licence plate | $59 |
| Replacement licence plate sticker | $7 |
| Vehicle permit replacement | $32 |
Payment methods
Online: Credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express)
In person at ServiceOntario: Cash, debit, credit card, certified cheque
Commercial vehicle fee calculator
Use our online calculator to find registration or renewal costs for your commercial vehicle.
Commercial vehicle fees: ontario.ca/page/commercial-vehicles