Ontario · Driving and vehicles
Licence plate sticker and registration in Ontario
Compiled by Mahmoud Halat, checked
Short answer
Register a vehicle in Ontario at a ServiceOntario centre. Bring ID, proof of purchase, proof of Ontario insurance, the seller's permit with the transfer section filled in, and a Safety Standards Certificate. A used vehicle must be registered within 6 days of the sale. A permit costs $32 and a plate with permit $59, issued on the spot. Most passenger vehicle plates now renew automatically for free.
Who handles it
ServiceOntario (Ministry of Transportation)
Handles it in Ontario.
Most passenger vehicle, motorcycle and moped plates now renew automatically at no cost; commercial and some other vehicles still renew each year.
Canada Service Map is independent and not a government website. The official page always has the final word.
Steps
Commercial and business vehicles, motorhomes, vehicles made before 1983, buses and snowmobiles do not renew automatically and must be renewed online or at ServiceOntario.
Source: ontario.cachecked #
What you need
Bring a driver's licence or other accepted ID, proof of purchase, proof of insurance from an Ontario-licensed insurer, and the seller's original vehicle permit with the transfer portion completed. Passenger vehicles and motorcycles also need the used vehicle information package.
Source: ontario.cachecked #
You also need a Safety Standards Certificate, except for trailers, mopeds, off-road vehicles and snowmobiles.
Source: ontario.cachecked #
Cost
A vehicle permit costs $32 and a licence plate with permit costs $59. Retail sales tax on the sale is collected when you register.
Source: ontario.cachecked #
How long it takes
A used vehicle must be registered at a ServiceOntario centre within 6 days of the sale.
Source: ontario.cachecked #
Permits and standard plates are issued right away at the counter. Personalized plates are mailed.
Source: ontario.cachecked #
Where to go
Register at a ServiceOntario centre, where you may be able to book an appointment. If you buy a new vehicle from a dealer, the dealer usually does the registration for you.
Source: ontario.cachecked #
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to register a car in Ontario?
The vehicle permit is $32, and a new licence plate with permit is $59. Retail sales tax on the purchase and any outstanding fines in your name are added when you register.
Source: ontario.cachecked #
Do I still have to pay to renew my licence plate sticker in Ontario?
Not for most passenger vehicles, light commercial vehicles, motorcycles and mopeds. Their plates renew automatically, with no fee and no sticker, if insurance is valid and fines and tolls are paid.
Source: ontario.cachecked #
How long do I have to register a used car in Ontario?
Six days from the date of sale. Register it at a ServiceOntario centre.
Source: ontario.cachecked #
Can I register a vehicle online in Ontario?
Ontario registers vehicles at ServiceOntario centres. To save time, fill in the Application for Vehicle Registration form (SR-LV-006) before you go.
Source: ontario.cachecked #
In every province and territory
The same service across Canada: who handles it and the official link. Ontario is marked.
| Province or territory | Who handles it | Official link | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | ICBC (through Autoplan brokers) | Register a vehiclechecked | Register and get plates at any Autoplan broker; B.C. plates no longer need a renewal decal, you renew the insurance. |
| Alberta | Alberta registry agents (Government of Alberta) | Register a vehiclechecked | New registrations and plates are done at a registry agent; renewals can also be done online or by mail. |
| Saskatchewan | SGI (Saskatchewan Government Insurance) | Renew your registrationchecked | Register or renew at a motor licence issuer, or renew online in MySGI. |
| Manitoba | Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) | Register a vehiclechecked | Register, get plates and renew at any Autopac agent or MPI Service Centre. |
| OntarioThis page | ServiceOntario (Ministry of Transportation) | Register a vehiclechecked | Most passenger vehicle, motorcycle and moped plates now renew automatically at no cost; commercial and some other vehicles still renew each year. |
| Quebec | Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) | Register a vehiclechecked | |
| New Brunswick | Service New Brunswick | Renew registration onlinechecked | Plate stickers stopped on April 1, 2026, but registration must still be renewed every year. |
| Nova Scotia | Registry of Motor Vehicles (Service Nova Scotia) | Renew your vehicle permitchecked | Renewals can be done online; first registration and plates are done at an Access Nova Scotia or RMV office. |
| Prince Edward Island | Access PEI (Highway Safety Division, Government of PEI) | None on record | |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Motor Registration Division (Government Services, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador) | How to register a vehiclechecked | |
| Yukon | Motor Vehicles (Government of Yukon) | None on record | New registrations are done at a Motor Vehicles office; renewals can be done online. Yukon no longer issues plate stickers. |
| Northwest Territories | Driver and Vehicle Services (Department of Infrastructure, Government of the Northwest Territories) | Renew a vehicle registrationchecked | |
| Nunavut | Motor Vehicles Division (Government of Nunavut) | Register a private vehiclechecked |
Cite this page
Canada Service Map, "Licence plate sticker and registration in Ontario", checked 13 October 2026, https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/vehicle-registration/ontario