Overview

A Special Permit is available to people whose vehicle or circumstance do not qualify for a temporary licence plate sticker (temporary vehicle registration). With a Special Permit, you can temporarily:

  • drive or transport a newly purchased passenger vehicle through Ontario with the intent on registering it in another jurisdiction
  • exceed the weight limit displayed on the permit for a commercial vehicle, if you are relocating it for business purposes (for example an auto auction or to and from dealerships)

A Special Permit is issued for an owned or leased motor vehicle or trailer. A vehicle displaying a Special Permit is temporarily exempt from registration but is allowed to be driven in Ontario for 10 calendar days starting from the day it is issued. 

An applicant may purchase two Special Permits within 365 days for the same Registrant Identification Number/Vehicle Identification Number (RIN/VIN) combination, except for commercial laden vehicles, which are carrying a load, where there is no limit.

Note: When you are using a Special Permit, do not display any other plate on your vehicle or trailer in a position that could confuse the identity of the Special Permit.

Eligibility

Online second permit option

If you have already purchased the first Special Permit in-person at a centre, the online service is available:

  • for a second permit within 365 days of purchasing your first permit using the same Registrant Identification Number/Vehicle Identification Number (RIN/VIN)
  • to Ontario residents only

Out-of-province or out-of-country residents must visit a ServiceOntario centre every time to purchase a Special Permit.

Passenger vehicles

You can get a Special Permit for a passenger vehicle, if you:

  • import the vehicle from outside the province or country and do not intend to register it in Ontario
  • are a new resident to Ontario and recently bought the vehicle (you have 30 days to register the vehicle in the province)
  • are moving the vehicle to or from an auto auction
  • have a “FIT” (the vehicle has a FIT status which confirms that the vehicle meets the minimum safety standards to drive, get a safety standard certificate) vehicle that is at least 20 years old and doesn’t have the necessary documents to satisfy the retail sales tax registration requirements

Commercial vehicles

You can get a Special Permit for a commercial vehicle, if you are:

  • transporting a vehicle or trailer
  • towing a vehicle or trailer
  • carrying goods
  • carrying more than 2 passengers (buses only)

Get a Special Permit

In-person at a ServiceOntario centre

Your first Special Permit must be purchased in-person at a ServiceOntario centre.

To get a Special Permit in-person, you need:

To get a Special Permit, you need:

Find a ServiceOntario centre

Online

To get a Special Permit online, you need:

  • to require a second permit for the same vehicle you purchased the first permit for
  • to have purchased your first permit in-person
  • the current vehicle permit
  • the name of your insurance company and the policy number

Get your second Special Permit online now

Note: if this is your first Special Permit you get it at a ServiceOntario centre.

Cost and delivery

Cost

  • Passenger vehicle: $23.50
  • Commercial vehicle (gross weight under 4500 kgs): $23.50
  • Laden commercial vehicle (gross weight over 4500 kgs) or bus, without trailer: $116.25
  • Laden commercial vehicle or bus, towing a trailer: $205

You need to pay fees to purchase a Special Permit. Fees vary based on vehicle class.

Payment

In-person: Visa, Visa Debit, Mastercard, Debit Mastercard, debit, cash, certified cheque

Online: Visa, Mastercard 

Delivery

In-person

You will receive the Special Permit at the ServiceOntario centre.

Online

A digital copy will be emailed to you along with your transaction receipt. Instructions regarding how to affix the permit to the vehicle will be included with the digital permit. You will be required to print the Special Permit in colour or black and white.

Importing a vehicle

If you import the vehicle from another province

You must provide the original vehicle title (For example: Certificate of Origin, Certificate of title, New Vehicle Information Statement, etc.)

An imported vehicle is not eligible for an online Special Permit. A Special Permit for an imported vehicle must be purchased at a ServiceOntario centre.

Find a ServiceOntario centre.

If you import the vehicle from outside Canada

You must provide the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) form 1 with both stamps. This ensures that the vehicle meets the federal inspection requirements. You also need to provide the original vehicle title (For example: Certificate of Origin, Certificate of title, New Vehicle Information Statement, etc.)

An imported vehicle is not eligible for an online Special Permit. A Special Permit for an imported vehicle must be purchased at a ServiceOntario centre.

Find a ServiceOntario centre.

Contact us

If you need more information please call us Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at: