Renewing your license plate in Toronto is a straightforward process, and you can do it online or in person. Here's Autozen’s guide on how to renew your license plate in Toronto!
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Changes to the License Plate Renewal System in Toronto
Let’s start by looking at how the process of renewing your license plate in Toronto has changed in the past couple of years.
Previously, your birthday was not only a reason to celebrate with cake, but also a reminder that it was time to head over to Service Ontario, pay your renewal fee and receive your new stickers to put on your license plate. However, that changed in 2022 when the provincial government eliminated the annual registration fee and discontinued the stickers, as well as the requirement for emissions tests on anything but heavy commercial vehicles.
This does not mean, however, that there’s nothing for you to do now. Not renewing your registration can result in a hefty fine of as much as $1000 — so it’s important to take care of this as required. Luckily, it’s an easy process and you don’t even need to leave your house to do it!
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Renewing Your License Plates in Toronto: The Essentials
Service Ontario has made the renewal process as hassle-free as possible, and it can be done in a couple of minutes at their online site or in person. You can sign up for Service Ontario reminders by email, text message, or phone just to make sure you don’t forget. While you have the option of renewing for one or two years, it’s free either way, so it might be best to make it an annual event so that it never slips your mind: when it’s your birthday, it’s time to renew!
Just make sure that you’ve got everything ready when you log on so that you don’t have to dash around trying to find a required item right in the middle!
Get Your Numbers Ready
There are a few essential pieces that you will need for renewing your plates, so have them ready:
- License plate number
- Vehicle permit number
- Odometer reading
- Insurance company and policy number
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Pay Your Fines
If you have unpaid parking tickets or highway tolls, you will not be able to renew your registration until those have been resolved. Do this early so that you can be sure they’ve been updated in the system before attempting to renew your license plates.
Renewing Your License Plate Online
Renewing your license plate from the comfort of your own home is easier than ever now. After you’ve gathered your info and paid any fines, go to Service Ontario’s Renew Your License Plate page. Proceed to enter the required information as instructed, and at the end of the process, you will receive an email signifying your successful registration.
Stickers are no longer sent out, so don’t wait for them to arrive in the mail! You might want to print out the document or keep it on your phone just in case there’s an issue. However, the police databases are immediately updated so your plates shouldn’t be flagged by the Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) used by the OPP.
Renew Your License Plate in Person
If you prefer to take care of this in person, head to a Service Ontario location near you with all your information ready to go. Some locations offer you the opportunity to book an appointment so that you don’t have to stand in line!
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License Plate vs Driver’s License: What’s the Difference?
Of course, your license plate renewal isn’t the only thing you have to worry about renewing. Your driver’s license has to be renewed every five years, usually on your birthday, and there is still a $90 fee for that. Remember, driving with an expired license can mean a fine of as much as $1000, and have an impact on your insurance rates!
Between the elimination of renewal fees and the streamlined online process at Service Ontario, renewing your license plates in Toronto couldn’t be easier or more convenient!
