What you need to do to renew your Ontario plate

Ontario license plate renewal happens through ServiceOntario, either online, by mail, or in person at a ServiceOntario office. You renew the plate itself (the physical metal plate with the number on it) and your vehicle registration at the same time. The process takes about 10 minutes online if you have your current plate number and a valid payment method. By mail it takes 2 to 3 weeks. In person, you walk out with your new plate the same day.

You must renew before your plate expires. The expiry date is printed on the plate sticker — a small coloured decal in the top right corner. Driving with an expired plate is illegal and can result in a fine. ServiceOntario sends renewal notices by mail about 6 weeks before expiry, but you do not have to wait for the notice to renew.

Key Takeaways

  • You can renew online at ontario.ca/platerenew, by mail, or at a ServiceOntario office; online is fastest and takes about 10 minutes.
  • You need your current plate number, vehicle identification number (VIN), and a valid payment method (debit, credit card, or online banking).
  • The renewal fee varies by vehicle weight and type; a standard passenger car costs between $50 and $100, but commercial or heavy vehicles cost more.
  • Your new plate sticker arrives by mail within 10 business days of online renewal, or you receive it when ready if you renew in person.
  • You can renew up to 3 months before your plate expires, so you do not have to wait for the renewal notice to arrive.

Renewing online through ServiceOntario

The online renewal portal is at ontario.ca/platerenew. You will need your plate number (the six-character alphanumeric code on your plate), your vehicle identification number (VIN — found on your registration document or on the driver's side of the dashboard where it meets the windshield), and your postal code. The system will pull up your vehicle record and show you the renewal fee based on your vehicle's weight class.

Payment is by debit card, credit card, or online banking. Once you pay, you receive a confirmation number when ready. Your new plate sticker is mailed to the address on file and arrives within 10 business days. You can continue driving with your current plate and sticker until the new one arrives — there is no gap in coverage. Affix the new sticker to the top right corner of your plate, covering the old one.

Renewing by mail

To renew by mail, you need the renewal notice ServiceOntario sends you, or you can request a renewal package by calling ServiceOntario at 1-800-267-7120. Fill out the form, include a cheque or money order made payable to the Minister of Finance, and mail it to the address on the form. Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks from the date ServiceOntario receives it.

Mail renewal is slower but useful if you do not have internet access or prefer not to pay online. Keep a copy of your cheque number or money order receipt in case you need to track the renewal. Your new sticker will arrive by mail at the address on your registration.

Renewing in person at a ServiceOntario office

You can walk into any ServiceOntario office with your plate number, VIN, and a valid payment method. Bring your vehicle registration document or a recent insurance document as proof of ownership. The renewal takes about 15 minutes, and you receive your new plate sticker on the spot. You can then affix it to your plate when ready and drive legally.

ServiceOntario offices are located in most towns and cities across Ontario. You can find the nearest one and check hours at ontario.ca/serviceontario. Some offices are busier than others; going early in the week or mid-morning often means shorter waits. No appointment is required for plate renewal.

Understanding the renewal fee

The renewal fee depends on your vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) — the maximum weight the vehicle is designed to carry, including passengers and cargo. This is not the same as the vehicle's actual weight. For a standard passenger car, the fee is typically between $50 and $100. Pickup trucks, vans, and SUVs may cost more depending on their GVWR. Commercial vehicles, trailers, and motorcycles have different fee structures.

The exact fee for your vehicle appears on the renewal notice or when you enter your plate number on the online renewal portal. There are no additional hidden fees for standard renewals. If you are renewing a vehicle you recently purchased, the fee may be prorated based on how many months remain in the registration year.

What happens if your plate expires

Driving with an expired plate is illegal in Ontario. If you are stopped by police, you can receive a fine under the Highway Traffic Act. The fine amount varies but can be substantial. More importantly, if you are in an accident while your plate is expired, your insurance may deny your claim because you were driving an unregistered vehicle.

If your plate has already expired and you have not renewed it, renew when ready through any of the three methods above. You can renew online or in person the same day. If you are renewing by mail, do so right away because the processing time means you will be driving with an expired plate for 2 to 3 weeks. Once your new sticker arrives, affix it to your plate.

Renewing a plate for a vehicle you recently bought

If you bought a used vehicle in Ontario, the previous owner's plate and registration transfer to you. You do not need to get a new plate number unless you want to. You can renew the existing plate through the same process — online, by mail, or in person. The fee is prorated based on how many months remain in the registration year.

If you bought the vehicle from outside Ontario or it is new, you will receive a temporary permit and instructions for registering it and obtaining a plate. That process is separate from renewal and involves more paperwork. Your insurance broker or the dealership can guide you through initial registration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my plate before the expiry date?

Yes. You can renew up to 3 months before your plate expires. This is useful if you want to avoid the rush near the expiry date or if you are planning a trip and want to may support your plate is current. Renewing early does not shorten the validity of your new plate — it still lasts until the same month the following year.

What if I lost my plate number or cannot find my registration?

Call ServiceOntario at 1-800-267-7120. They can look up your plate number using your VIN and postal code. If you have lost your physical plate, you will need to report it and may need to order a replacement plate in addition to renewing your registration — contact ServiceOntario for the process.

Do I need to renew my plate if I am selling my vehicle?

No. When you sell your vehicle, the new owner takes over the plate and registration. You do not renew it. You do need to notify ServiceOntario that you have sold the vehicle so your name is removed from the registration. You can do this online at ontario.ca or by calling 1-800-267-7120.

What if I renew online but do not receive my new sticker within 10 business days?

Contact ServiceOntario at 1-800-267-7120 with your confirmation number. They can check the status of your renewal and remail the sticker if needed. Keep your confirmation number and the email receipt if you renewed online.

Can I renew my plate if my vehicle has outstanding parking tickets or fines?

Yes. Parking tickets and minor traffic fines do not prevent plate renewal. However, if your vehicle has been impounded or there is a court order against the registration, ServiceOntario may flag your account. If you encounter a problem during renewal, call 1-800-267-7120 to resolve it before trying again.