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Photo courtesy Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria/Facebook

Automatic license plate renewals begin July 1st

By Randy Thoms Jun 26, 2024 | 2:45 PM

The provincial government is implementing an automatic licence plate renewal system on July 1st.

Any motorists with valid insurance and no outstanding fines will be issued renewals automatically.

Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria says it avoids having to visit and wait in line at a Service Ontario Centre.

“By becoming the first jurisdiction in North America to introduce automatic license plate renewals, a change that will save vehicle owners more than 900,000 hours each year,” says Sarkaria.

Licence plates for passenger vehicles, light-duty trucks, motorcycles and mopeds will automatically be renewed 90 days before the plates expiry.

“And if you aren’t in good standing, you will get a notice from the ministry to get within good standing. Once that is accomplished, then you will also be renewed,” says Sarkaria.

Fees to renew plates were eliminated two years ago.

Sarkaria admits there may have been some confusion about renewing when fees were lifted.

Ontario Provincial Police stopped several motorists for expired plates.

Vehicle owners can sign up for digital notifications if there is an issue related to automatic renewal by signing up for ServiceOntario reminders at https://reminders.ontario.ca/en or 1-800-387-3445.

Owners will receive notifications 90, 45, and 10 days before and 72 hours after expiry if their plates cannot be renewed .

Owners not registered will receive notification in the mail 90 days before expiry and 72 hours after expiry.