How Much To Register a Car In Ontario?
As of 2025, passenger vehicle registration fees in Ontario are structured based on the official Driver and Vehicle Fees published by the Government of Ontario and administered through ServiceOntario centres.
Standard Registration Fees for Passenger Vehicles
Standard registration fees for passenger cars in Ontario have been significantly reduced following the elimination of licence plate renewal fees:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Vehicle permit (all vehicles) | $32.00 |
| Licence plate (new and replacement) with permit | $59.00 |
| Licence plate renewal validation | $0.00 (eliminated March 13, 2022) |
| Registration period | Automatic renewal every 2 years at no cost |
The Ontario government eliminated licence plate renewal fees and physical stickers for passenger vehicles, light-duty trucks (3,000 kg and less), motorcycles and mopeds effective March 13, 2022. Revenue generated from initial registration fees helps support the maintenance of provincial roads, highways and bridges.
Motorcycle and Off-Highway Vehicle Registration Costs
Motorcycle and recreational vehicle registration fees follow the same structure as passenger vehicles for basic registration:
| Vehicle Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Vehicle permit | $32.00 |
| Licence plate (new and replacement) with permit | $59.00 |
| Motorcycle validation renewal | $0.00 (eliminated March 13, 2022) |
| Motorized snow vehicle original registration | $33.00 (includes validation fee) |
| Motorized snow vehicle replacement decals and permit | $10.00 |
| Off-road vehicle original registration | $38.00 |
| Off-road vehicle replacement plate and permit | $20.00 |
Motorized snow vehicle validation in Northern Ontario remains at $0.00, while Southern Ontario residents pay $15.00 annually.
Trailer Registration Fees
Trailer registration fees vary based on the type and use of the trailer:
Standard Trailers
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Trailer plate, permit and licence plate validation | $72.00 |
| Trailer replacement plate and permit | $48.00 |
All trailer registrations include both the permit and licence plate validation in a single fee structure.
Commercial Vehicle Registration Costs
Commercial vehicle registration costs in Ontario depend on vehicle weight and operational classification:
Light Commercial Vehicles (3,000 kg and less)
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Light commercial vehicle permit | $32.00 |
| Light commercial vehicle licence plate with permit | $59.00 |
| Light commercial vehicle validation renewal | $0.00 (eliminated March 13, 2022) |
Heavy Commercial Vehicle Registration Heavy commercial vehicle fees are determined by the International Registration Plan (IRP) and non-IRP classifications:
| Vehicle Type | Fee Range |
|---|---|
| Heavy Commercial Vehicle Validation - International Registration Plan | $265.25 - $4,693.00 |
| Heavy Commercial Vehicle Validation - non-International Registration Plan | $265.25 - $4,693.00 |
| Farm Vehicle Validation | $157.00 - $1,245.50 |
| Bus and School Bus Validation | $134.75 - $2,260.75 |
Heavy commercial vehicle fees are based on gross vehicle weight rating and operational requirements, with specific calculations determined by ServiceOntario at the time of registration.
Specialty and Commemorative Plate Fees
Ontario offers various personalized and specialty licence plate options with additional fees:
| Plate Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Personalized licence plate (2-8 characters without graphic) | $310.00 |
| Personalized licence plate (2-6 characters with graphic) | $336.40 |
| Personalized motorcycle plate (2-5 characters) | $310.00 |
| Graphic licence plate | $82.15 |
| Sample licence plate | $16.95 |
| Sample licence plate with graphic | $33.90 |
| Veteran graphic plates | No additional cost (personalized licence plate fee applies if combined with personalization) |
Over 60 graphics are available, including the loon, trillium, community organizations, universities, and Ontario professional sports teams.
Antique and Special Use Vehicle Registration
Ontario provides special registration categories for historic and special-purpose vehicles:
| Vehicle Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Historic vehicle validation | $0.00 (eliminated March 13, 2022) |
| Year of manufacture licence plate certification | Available for vehicles 1973 or earlier (1975 for motorcycles) |
| Dealer and Service plate validation for motor vehicle or trailer | $0.00 (eliminated March 13, 2022) |
| Dealer and Service plate validation for motorcycle | $0.00 (eliminated March 13, 2022) |
| Manufacturer plate validation | $0.00 (eliminated March 13, 2022) |
Historic vehicle registration requires the vehicle to be substantially unchanged since manufacture and over 30 years old. Year of manufacture plates require authentication of original period-correct licence plates.
Additional Registration Fees
Administrative and replacement services carry the following fees:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Replace vehicle permit | $32.00 |
| Replace personalized licence plate | $100.70 |
| Replace graphic licence plate | $54.60 |
| Replace licence plate sticker | $7.00 |
| 10-day passenger trip permit | $23.50 |
| 10-day commercial trip permit | $23.50 - $205.00 |
| Oversize/overweight permit replacement | $35.00 |
| Commercial Vehicle Operator's Registration (CVOR) replacement | $35.75 |
All fees are subject to change and include applicable taxes where required. Payment methods accepted at ServiceOntario centres include Visa, Mastercard, debit, cash, and certified cheque. Outstanding fines in the licence plate holder's name will be applied in addition to registration fees.