Frequently Asked Questions: Renewing Licence Plate Stickers
- What do I need to order a licence plate validation sticker?
- What vehicle classes can have their licence plates renewed through the online service?
- How many licence plates can I renew at once?
- Can I renew multiple licence plates online if they are not covered under the same insurance company?
- What is a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)?
- How does the process for vehicle licence plate renewal differ for seasonal vehicles?
- I received a message stating that my insurance could not be confirmed. What should I do?
- I received a message stating that my VIN could not be confirmed. What does this mean?
- I received a message stating that my VIN and insurance could not be confirmed. What does this mean?
- How do I correct an incorrect Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on my vehicle permit?
- My insurance company is not included in your list, what should I do?
- When will I get my licence plate validation sticker?
- I have lost or damaged my vehicle plate sticker. Can I use this service to get my replacement?
- When do I need to renew my licence plate validation sticker?
- How long can I renew for?
- How early can I renew my sticker?
- What do I do with my sticker once I get it?
- How do I know if I need a Drive Clean test?
- How will I know if my order has been accepted?
- How long will it be before I receive my sticker?
- I think I have fines on my vehicle. Can I still order my sticker online?
- My validation sticker expires in a few days, can I still use the online service to renew my sticker?
- What should I do if I haven't received my plate sticker at the end of 5 business days?
- The sticker I have been sent isn't correct. What do I do?
- I have just realized that I made a mistake when I ordered my sticker. What should I do?
- Why am I required to pay my 407 ETR fees?
1. What do I need to order a licence plate validation sticker?
- Your licence plate number
Depending on the information on file, you may also need to provide:
- Your vehicle inspection certificate number and six-character security code (if present on your inspection report)
- Your insurance company
- Your insurance policy number
- Your odometer reading
2. What vehicle classes can have their licence plates renewed through the online service?
Passenger and light commercial vehicles (with a registered gross weight less than 3,000 kg), motorcycles, mopeds and snow vehicles can have their licence plates renewed through this service.
3. How many licence plates can I renew at once?
You can renew up to 3 vehicle licence plates at the same time provided all of them are covered under the same insurance company.
No. You may only renew multiple vehicle licence plates online if they are covered under the same insurance company.
5. What is a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)?
A Vehicle Identification Number, commonly abbreviated to VIN, is a unique serial number used by the automotive industry to identify individual motor vehicles.
6. How does the process for vehicle licence plate renewal differ for seasonal vehicles?
Seasonal vehicles are vehicles where mandatory road insurance and liability and accident benefits coverage is removed but comprehensive coverage is left on. Comprehensive coverage protects the vehicle against fire, theft, etc. Examples of seasonal vehicles are high-valued/collector vehicles stored for the winter and vehicles that are stored in garages while the driver is away for an extended period of time.
When you are ready to drive your seasonal vehicle, you will need to re-instate your vehicle's mandatory road insurance coverage first and then renew your licence plate sticker.
Mandatory insurance coverage is electronically queried during the licence plate renewal process.
Please advise your insurance provider of your intention to re-instate the mandatory coverage approximately 2 to 3 weeks prior to the actual re-instatement effective date. This will allow the insurance provider sufficient time to report the necessary insurance information to the Insurance Bureau of Canada.
7. I received a message stating that my insurance could not be confirmed. What should I do?
To renew your vehicle licence plate, your vehicle must be insured. To ensure Ontario’s drivers have proper insurance coverage, the Ministry of Transportation verifies that your vehicle is insured by checking the insurance information supplied by your insurance provider and your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), a unique number that is assigned to your vehicle.
If you do not have insurance, you must obtain it from an insurance provider licensed to do business in Ontario. If you cannot provide proof that your vehicle is insured, you will not be able to renew your vehicle licence plate. It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle without insurance. If you have insurance, please contact your insurance provider to ensure it is up-to-date. Once it is confirmed that you have valid vehicle insurance, you may renew your vehicle licence plate online, at a kiosk or in-person.
If you need to renew your vehicle licence plate urgently, visit your nearest ServiceOntario centre to present your renewal notice, vehicle permit and Canada Inter-Province Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Card (“pink card”).
8. I received a message stating that my VIN could not be confirmed. What does this mean?
To ensure Ontario’s drivers have proper insurance coverage, the Ministry of Transportation verifies that your vehicle is insured by checking the insurance information supplied by your insurance provider and your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), a unique number that is assigned to your vehicle.
The VIN registered for your vehicle may be incorrect. This error must be corrected before you can renew your vehicle licence plate. To correct the VIN, please compare the VIN on the dashboard of your vehicle with your vehicle permit and the VIN printed on your Canadian Inter-Province Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Card (“pink card”) issued to you by your insurance provider. The VIN on your dashboard is stamped on a small metal plate attached to the upper side of your dashboard, usually on the driver’s side.
If the VIN on your “pink card” does not match the VIN on your dashboard, please contact your insurance provider immediately to correct it. If the VIN on your vehicle permit does not match the VIN on your dashboard, please go to your nearest ServiceOntario centre to correct it. (see Question 10) If neither the VIN on your vehicle permit or the VIN on your “pink card” do not match the VIN on your dashboard you will need to contact both a ServiceOntario centre and your insurance provider to correct them.
To ensure Ontario’s drivers have proper insurance coverage, the Ministry of Transportation verifies that your vehicle is insured by checking the insurance information supplied by your insurance provider and your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), a unique number that is assigned to your vehicle. The VIN registered for your vehicle may be incorrect. This error must be corrected before you can renew your vehicle licence plate. (see Question 8)
If you do not have insurance, you must obtain it from an insurance provider licensed to do business in Ontario. If you cannot provide proof that your vehicle is insured, you will not be able to renew your vehicle licence plate. It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle without insurance. If you have insurance, please contact your insurance provider to ensure it is up-to-date. Once it is confirmed that you have valid vehicle insurance, you may renew your vehicle licence plate online, at a kiosk or in-person.
10. How do I correct an incorrect Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on my vehicle permit?
To have the VIN corrected on your vehicle permit, you must bring the following documents to your nearest ServiceOntario centre:
1. The vehicle permit (ownership) – the vehicle portion of the permit is required
2. Your Canada Inter-Province Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Card (“pink card”)
3. One of the documents listed below:
• Original vehicle manufacturer’s warranty
• Copy of manufacturer’s invoice
• Original or copy of the Bill/Certificate of Sale from the original selling dealer
• Letter from an authorized dealer for your make of vehicle verifying the correct VIN of the vehicle
• Copy of Certificate of Title/Certificate of Origin
• Copy of New Vehicle Information Statement (NVIS)
• Written confirmation from municipal or provincial police verifying that the VIN was checked through the Canadian Police Information Centre
• Original Safety Standards Certificate, form SR-E-214, only if the last 6 characters of the VIN are correct
• Sworn affidavit by the vehicle owner explaining the VIN error.
To find a ServiceOntario centre near you, visit www.serviceontario.ca/findservices For more information, please contact the ServiceOntario Driver and Vehicle Contact Centre at (416) 235-2999 (GTA) or toll free in Canada at 1-800-387-3445, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.
11. My insurance company is not included in your list, what should I do?
The list of insurance companies is provided to us by the Financial Services Commission of Ontario. Check your insurance policy documents to confirm your insurance company name. If your insurance company is not included in the list, visit the nearest Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office to obtain your licence plate validation sticker.
12. When will I get my licence plate validation sticker?
You will receive your Licence Plate Validation Sticker in approximately 5 business days. If you do not receive your plate in that time contact the Driver and Vehicle Information Service at 416-235-2999 (GTA) or toll free in Canada at 1-800-387-3445.
13. I have lost or damaged my vehicle plate sticker. Can I use this service to get my replacement?
No, you cannot use this service to obtain a replacement of your licence plate validation sticker.
The ministry will replace a validation sticker for $7 if it is lost, stolen, damaged or removed by enforcement staff. If it is faulty or lost in the mail, it will be replaced free of charge, if reported within 31 days. Visit the nearest Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office and complete an Application For Registration. Bring the damaged sticker (if applicable), name of insurance company and policy number and reason for requesting a replacement.
14. When do I need to renew my licence plate validation sticker?
Your licence plate validation sticker expires on your birthday. For your convenience, a renewal application form will be mailed to you approximately 60 days prior to expiry.
A valid licence plate must be attached to a vehicle before it can be legally driven in Ontario. Plates are validated by obtaining and affixing a validation sticker to the upper right-hand corner of your licence plate.
If using the Internet service, be aware the delivery of this product will take approximately 5 business days. If your current licence plate validation sticker expires within 5 business days, do not use this service. Please visit a Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office or ServiceOntario Kiosk.
You can renew your licence plate validation for a period of one or two years. If your vehicle needs a Drive Clean test in the second year, you may not be able to renew for more than one year.
16. How early can I renew my sticker?
You can renew up to six months prior to expiry.
17. What do I do with my sticker once I get it?
Plates are validated by obtaining and affixing a validation sticker to your vehicle's rear licence plate or front plate for a commercial vehicle. The sticker comes with instructions, please affix as indicated.
18. How do I know if I need a Drive Clean test?
You can check whether or not your vehicle needs a test by visiting the Drive Clean website. Click on "When will your vehicle be tested?" to find out when your vehicle will need to be tested. Click on "Find your vehicle's emission test history" if you want to find the date of your vehicle's last Drive Clean test.
19. How will I know if my order has been accepted?
At the end of your order, you will receive an electronic receipt detailing the transaction information, status of the transaction and payment status.
20. How long will it be before I receive my sticker?
You will receive your new sticker in the mail within approximately 5 business days of MTO receiving your order. If your mailing address is outside of Ontario, it may take longer than 5 business days for you to receive your sticker.
21. I think I have fines on my vehicle. Can I still order my sticker online?
Yes, you can renew your licence validation sticker online. However, full payment of all outstanding denials must be made online as part of the plate renewal transaction.
When a plate owner has failed to pay his or her parking fines, 407 ETR (see Question 26) charges or other related outstanding fees (such as an NSF) a plate renewal transaction will not be permitted until the fine(s) is paid in full.
The Ministry of the Attorney General posts restrictions against an owner's record. Notifications are listed on the vehicle licence renewal application. If you have any questions about your fine status, please contact your local office of the Ontario Court (Provincial Division).
If your vehicle plate validation sticker expires in less than 5 business days, it is recommended that you visit the nearest Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office or ServiceOntario Kiosk to purchase a validation sticker.
Under the Highway Traffic Act Section 7.(1) it is a requirement that no person shall drive a motor vehicle on a highway unless there is current validation and that the validation sticker is affixed to the vehicle in the prescribed manner.
23. What should I do if I haven't received my plate sticker at the end of 5 business days?
If you have not received your sticker within 5 business days from the date of your transaction, please call the Driver and Vehicle Information Service at 416-235-2999 or toll free in Canada at 1-800-387-3445.
24. There is a problem with my sticker. What do I do?
If the sticker is damaged or defective, contact the Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office and it will be replaced free of charge, if reported within 31 days.
25. I have just realized that I made a mistake when I ordered my sticker. What should I do?
When using the online services the vehicle plate renewal transaction updates vehicle records/database immediately. In order to correct this problem, visit the nearest Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office and bring the sticker (if applicable), insurance company name and policy number, and reason for requesting a replacement.
Requests may also be mailed, with appropriate information and fee, to:
Ministry of Transportation
Licence Renewals Unit
P.O. Box 9800
Kingston, ON K7L 5K9
For further assistance, please call the Driver and Vehicle Information Service at 416-235-2999 (GTA) or toll-free in Canada at 1-800-387-3445.
26. Why am I required to pay my 407 ETR fees?
As of November 24, 2005, any outstanding amounts on vehicle licence plates that have been submitted by 407 ETR due to non-payment of 407 ETR tolls and administrative fees must be paid prior to plate renewal.
The ministry must refuse to issue or renew a vehicle permit if outstanding 407 ETR toll amounts appear on our computer system.
If your tolls, administrative fees or interest are not paid within 90 days of your receiving a "Notice of Failure to Pay", 407 ETR may require the ministry to refuse to validate (renew) your vehicle permit, and, where the licence plate in respect of the unpaid tolls, administrative fees or interest becomes unattached from the vehicle or expired, refuse to validate (renew) another single vehicle permit issued to you and/or refuse to issue a vehicle permit to you.
You can pay your 407 ETR toll amounts directly to the 407 ETR or at any Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office.
Customers who have a dispute with their 407 ETR toll amount must contact the 407 ETR directly:
Telephone: 1-888-407-0407
Email: customerservice@407etr.com
Mail to: 407 ETR Concession Company Limited
6300 Steeles Avenue West
Woodbridge ON L4H 1J1
Website: 407etr.com
