License renewals in Ontario are automated

Premier Doug Ford says drivers in Ontario will soon be able to opt out of registering their license plates every year as the province works to automate the process.

Ford made the announcement at a press conference in Toronto on Tuesday morning.

“We will get rid of it completely. While registering the vehicle, we took the first step, removing the stickers. Now we're getting rid of re-registrations,” the premier said when asked about the growing number of expired license plates on Ontario's roads.

“It automatically re-registers, so people don't have to worry about it at all.”

Ford's announcement comes after a report in the Toronto Star revealed that there are currently more than one million expired license plates in Ontario because many motorists forget to renew when the process is free.

Ford's government previously removed all fees associated with annual registration of number plates in 2022.

Starting March 13, 2022, drivers of passenger cars, motorcycles, mopeds, and light commercial vehicles will not be required to pay for the renewal or affixing of stickers to license plates. The cost of renewing license stickers for one year was previously $60 in northern Ontario and $120 in southern Ontario.

In December, Ontario Provincial Police confirmed to CTV Toronto that there are hundreds of thousands of drivers with unregistered license plates in the province following the province's move. Currently, drivers are required to renew their license plates every year on their birthday.

When asked when the updates will officially be removed, Ford was unable to provide specifics, but noted that it will be “very soon.”

“It will be legalized when we get back,” he said.

The Premier's office confirmed to CP24.com that the number renewal changes will be part of a larger bill that includes a requirement to put a future provincial carbon pricing plan to a referendum.