Everything You Need to Know About Ontario Licence Plate Renewal

Keeping your Ontario licence plate valid is a legal requirement for driving on public roads. This guide covers everything you need to know about renewing your Ontario licence plate — including when to renew, how much it costs, and what happens if you miss the deadline.

Does Your Licence Plate Expire?

Yes. Ontario licence plates must be renewed annually. The expiry date is associated with your vehicle registration, not the physical plate itself. Since Ontario eliminated licence plate stickers, there is no sticker to apply — but your plate registration still expires and must be renewed.

Which Vehicles Need to Renew Their Plates?

Most vehicles in Ontario need to renew their licence plate registration annually, including:

• Passenger vehicles
• Light commercial vehicles (under 3,000 kg)
• Motorcycles
• Mopeds
• Motorized snow vehicles

What Do You Need to Renew Online?

To renew your licence plate online you will need:

• Your licence plate number
• Your permit number (found on your green vehicle ownership document)
• Your odometer reading
• Valid vehicle insurance
• A Visa or Mastercard (credit) for payment
• Insurance information if renewing as a business

Are There Any Requirements Before Renewing?

Before you can renew your licence plate, you must:

• Have valid vehicle insurance
• Have no outstanding fines, penalties or tolls

If you have outstanding fines or your insurance has lapsed, you must resolve these issues before your plate can be renewed.

How Much Does it Cost to Renew?

The standard fee to renew a passenger vehicle licence plate in Ontario is $30.00 CAD. Note that outstanding fines and penalties are separate and must be paid in addition to the renewal fee.

What Happens After You Renew?

After completing your online renewal:

• You will receive a digital receipt immediately that you can print or save
• If you provided an email address, a digital copy will be sent to you
• Law enforcement systems are updated immediately — no sticker is required
• Your plate will be valid for 1 year from the renewal date

What Happens if Your Plate Expires?

Driving with an expired licence plate is an offence in Ontario. If you are caught driving with an expired plate, you may face:

• A fine
• Vehicle impoundment in some cases

If your plate has expired, you can still renew it online or in person after paying any outstanding fines and confirming your insurance is valid.

Tips for Staying on Top of Your Renewal

• Note your renewal date and set a calendar reminder 30 days before
• Make sure your address is up to date so you receive any notices
• Resolve any outstanding fines well before your renewal date to avoid delays
• Renew online to save time — it takes less than 5 minutes