Automatic license plate renewals: which vehicles will qualify?

Thanks to a newly enacted law in Ontario, renewing your license plates has gotten easier. Ontario residents who don’t qualify for automatic renewals will still need to either renew online or make an in-person visit to a ServiceOntario location. 

Who is eligible to have the convenience of automatic license plate renewals, and how do others qualify? Which vehicles are eligible for the automatic plate renewal program, and which do not? Will the program eventually spread nationally? Here is what you should know about Ontario's automatic license plate renewal program.

What is it, and when did it take effect?

• The automatic renewal program allows owners of certain vehicles in Ontario to renew license plates independently.
• It can help eliminate inadvertent failure to renew tags that could result in costly fines.
• The automatic renewal program went into effect on Canada Day in 2024.

Who Qualifies for the Program?

• Automatic renewal is available to Canadian vehicle owners who have certain vehicles registered in Ontario.
• Drivers who have valid insurance and no outstanding toll fees or fines will have their license plates renewed automatically 90 days before expiration.
• Drivers not within proper standing will receive a notice from the Ministry with details on how to qualify.

What types of vehicles are included?

Currently, certain types of vehicles are eligible for automatic license plate renewal. These include passenger vehicles, light-duty trucks, motorcycles, and mopeds.

Excluded vehicles from the automatic renewal process

The law, enacted on July 1, 2024, excludes certain vehicles from the automatic renewal process.

Excluded vehicles include:

• Commercial and business vehicles
• Motorhomes
• Vehicles manufactured before 1983
• Buses and school buses
• Snowmobiles

Owners of these types of vehicles will need to continue to register vehicles either online or in person.

Frequently asked questions

How long are my plates renewed for?

Plates eligible for automatic renewal will be renewed for the traditional one-year period.

Will RV plates be automatically renewed?

No, recreational vehicle license plates will not be eligible for the program. RV owners will still have to renew plates online or in person.

Is this program available throughout Canada?

No, the program is only available in Ontario.

What if I currently owe tolls or fines?

Unpaid tolls and fines must be resolved before you can qualify for the automatic renewal program.

Why was this process implemented?

There are various reasons, but one is that Ontario currently has an unprecedented number of unregistered vehicles. This process hopes to resolve this issue.

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