The Ontario government is lifting its pandemic pause on the renewals of driver’s licences, licence plate stickers, Ontario photo and health cards, and more.
If you are among the 17 per cent of Ontarians who have deferred renewing, you now have until February 28, 2022 to bring most provincial documents up to date.
You will also be responsible for paying any deferred fees when you renew. For example, if you are renewing in 2021 a sticker that expired in 2020, you will be charged for both 2020 and 2021 — a $240 fee in southern Ontario.
When the pandemic hit in March 2020, the government paused the requirement to renew these products when ServiceOntario centres were closed to the public. For some products like licence plate stickers, Ontarians could still renew them online but were not required to do so.
The government continued the pause on renewals over the past 18 months, even after ServiceOntario centres reopened, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Any government-issued products that expired on or after March 1, 2020 remained valid.
That ends on February 28, 2022, when most products must be renewed. However, some products must be renewed earlier and some can be renewed later. The government has waived some normal requirements so that renewals can be done online. Products will be mailed directly with an ability to print proof of renewal.
Here’s a list of renewal requirements:
Driver’s licences
Drivers under the age of 80 (class G/M) whose licences expired after March 1, 2020 must renew them by February 28, 2022. However, drivers won’t be required to update their licence photo as part of the renewal.
Senior drivers 80 years and older (class G/M) whose licences expired after March 1, 2020 must renew them by February 28, 2022. However, they will not have to attend a senior driver’s group education session program or visit a ServiceOntario centre in person to renew their licences.
Novice drivers (class G1, G2, M1, or M2) with licences expiring between March 1, 2020 and December 31, 2022 have until December 31, 2022 to complete testing to maintain or upgrade their licence. They also have until December 31, 2022 to complete a beginner driver education course if they enrolled in one during the pandemic.
Commercial drivers (class A, B, C, D, E and F) whose licences expired after March 1, 2020 must renew them by February 28, 2022.
School bus driver (class B and E) who have completed their road test by December 31, 2021 will have until June 30, 2022 to complete their school bus driver improvement course.
Licence plate stickers
Licence plate stickers for all vehicles except heavy commercial vehicles must be renewed by February 28, 2022.
Licence plate stickers for heavy commercial vehicles must be renewed by December 31, 2021.
Drivers who have not renewed their licence plate stickers during the pandemic will be required to pay the fee for previous years, in addition to the current year renewal fee.
Accessible parking permits
All eligible accessible parking permits with expiry dates between March 17, 2020 and February 28, 2022 must be renewed before March 1, 2022.
Ontario photo cards
Ontario photo cards with expiry dates between March 1, 2020 and February 28, 2022 must be renewed by February 28, 2022.
Ontario health cards
All expired Ontario health cards with a photo must be renewed by February 28, 2022.
For additional renewal requirements (including for driving instructors, carrier products, and vehicle registration and safety inspections), visit the Ontario government website.
