How do I get a new licence plate in Ontario?
7 minute read Published on Sep 10, 2026 by BrokerLink Communications
Are you after a new licence plate in Ontario? Getting a licence plate can mean a few different things, depending on your situation. Sometimes it means renewing your plate validation and other times it means replacing the physical plate itself.
In most cases, you don’t actually get a brand-new licence plate. If your plate is still in good condition, you simply renew its validation, often automatically and keep using the same plate. Generally, you only receive a new physical licence plate if the original was lost, stolen, damaged or defective. Read on to find out when you need to renew or replace, how you can do it and what’s changed in Ontario’s process.
Renewing vs. replacing a licence plate in Ontario
Before going further, it helps to know which path applies to you:
Renewing a licence plate
Similar to renewing your driver’s licence in Ontario, you must also renew your licence plate. This keeps your existing plate legally valid. Most passenger vehicles must do this every one to two years.
Replacing a licence plate
This means getting a new physical plate because the original was lost, stolen, damaged or defective. If your plate is still physically intact and readable, you’re almost certainly dealing with a renewal, not a replacement.
What are licence plate stickers in Ontario?
Licence plate validation stickers are small coloured decals that are placed on a licence plate to show that the plate has been renewed and is legally valid. Each sticker displays an expiry date, allowing police officers and enforcement cameras to quickly confirm that a vehicle’s registration is up to date.
For most passenger vehicles in Ontario, licence plate stickers are no longer used. As of March 13, 2022, Ontario eliminated licence plate sticker fees and stopped issuing physical stickers for most passenger vehicles, including motorcycles. Plates still need to be renewed, but nothing new gets attached to the plate itself, as validation is now handled electronically. However, licence plate validation stickers are still required for some types of vehicles, including snow vehicles and heavy commercial vehicles.
How do automatic licence plate renewals work in Ontario?
As of 2024, Ontario now automatically renews eligible licence plates. This applies to most:
Passenger vehicles
Light commercial vehicles (light-duty trucks)
Motorcycles
Mopeds
Your plate will likely be automatically renewed about 90 days before expiry if:
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You have valid auto insurance
You have no outstanding fines, tolls or fees
Your vehicle qualifies under Ontario’s program
If you’re eligible, you don’t need to do anything. Your plate will be validated automatically for one year and you’ll receive a notice confirming the renewal. And because the renewal is recorded electronically, their systems can immediately see that your plate is current. If you’re not eligible, Ontario will notify you either by digital or paper notification and you’ll need to renew manually online or at a ServiceOntario location. Ontario offers free renewal reminders by email, text or phone. Let's take a closer look:
Am I eligible for auto-renewal?
You’re likely eligible if all of the following are true:
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Your vehicle is a passenger vehicle, light-duty truck, motorcycle or moped
Your auto insurance is active and up to date
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You don’t have unpaid parking tickets, tolls, fees or other fines
If any of these don’t apply, you’ll likely need to renew manually.
What if I have to renew my licence plate manually?
If ServiceOntario can’t automatically renew your licence plate, they’ll let you know by text, email, phone or mail. This usually happens when there’s a problem with your Ontario car insurance or you have unpaid fines or tolls. If that happens, you’ll need to:
Pay any defaulted driver fines or fees
Clear any outstanding fines, penalties or tolls
Make sure your car insurance is valid
In some cases, unpaid fines can lead to a plate suspension and a reinstatement fee before renewal is allowed. Once these issues are resolved, you can renew your licence plate manually online through the Ontario licence renewal website or in person at your local ServiceOntario centre.
What you’ll need to renew your licence plate
According to ServiceOntario, whether you’re renewing in person or online, you’ll need your:
Licence plate number
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Vehicle permit number from your green ownership slip
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Proof of valid insurance, including your auto insurance company name and policy number
Odometer reading
Proof of current home address
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Outstanding parking tickets, tolls or other fines to be paid
Length of renewal (renewals are for one to two years)
How much does it cost to renew a licence plate in Ontario?
For most passenger vehicles, including motorized mobile homes and motorcycles, renewing your licence plate is free. However, certain types of vehicles still have fees, including:
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Motorized snow vehicles
Southern Ontario: $15
Northern Ontario: $0
Trailers, including small utility trailers: $72
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Commercial, bus and farm-plated vehicles: vary depending on the vehicle class
Because the fees vary by vehicle class, it’s always best to confirm how much yours will cost by contacting ServiceOntario directly.
How do you get a replacement plate in Ontario?
Replacing a licence plate is different from renewing one. According to ServiceOntario, all replacement requests must be done in person at a ServiceOntario centre. Whether your plate was lost, stolen or damaged, the fee to replace it in Ontario is $59. In some cases, defective licence plates returned within five years may qualify for a free replacement, depending on the issue and condition. You’ll need to bring:
Valid identification (e.g., Ontario driver’s licence)
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Proof of valid auto insurance
Original vehicle permit
A completed replacement declaration form
The police report/occurrence number (only if stolen)
The damaged licence plate(s) (only if damaged or defective)
Once your replacement is processed at ServiceOntario, the original plate number is cancelled and replaced with a new one and your vehicle registration is updated at the same time. Replacement licence plates are issued through an in-person visit, so you’ll leave with your replacement completed. This means that if you still have the old plate, it should no longer be used, as it’s no longer valid.
What if only one plate is lost?
If only one plate is missing, you should still treat it as a lost/stolen plate replacement. In Ontario, most vehicles are required to display two plates (front and rear), so the goal is to end up with a matching set again.
This typically means that your plate number is replaced and you’re issued a new matching set of plates. If you still have the remaining plate (e.g., only the front plate was stolen), bring it with you, as ServiceOntario may require it to be surrendered as part of issuing the replacement.
Can you get a personalized licence plate in Ontario?
Yes. A personalized (or custom) licence plate is a plate where you get to choose the combination of letters and numbers, rather than being assigned a standard-issue plate. If you want a custom or personalized licence plate, you can order one through Ontario’s official ordering system.
Before ordering, it’s important to know that all personalized plates must follow Ontario’s content moderation rules. Plate requests are reviewed to ensure they don’t include offensive language, hate speech, sexual content, references to criminal activity or wording that could be misleading or inappropriate. Even if a combination appears available, it can still be rejected during review. Typical costs for a personalized plate include:
Custom plate without a graphic: $310
Custom plate with a graphic: $336.40
Replacing a custom plate: $100.70
You can purchase a personalized licence plate online, at a ServiceOntario location or by calling 1-800-AUTOPL8. Availability depends on whether your chosen combination is already in use and whether it passes Ontario’s review process. Once approved, personalized licence plates are not issued immediately. Processing and manufacturing typically take several weeks and then the plates are mailed to you once they’re ready.
If your personalized plates are stolen
If your personalized plates are stolen, you must wait six months before they can be replaced. During that time, Ontario will issue you a set of regular temporary licence plates at no charge so you can continue driving legally while waiting for your personalized replacements.
What happens if you drive with an expired licence plate?
Renewing your licence plate is mandatory in Ontario, even though physical stickers are no longer used for most passenger vehicles. If your plate validation expires and isn’t renewed, your vehicle is no longer considered properly registered.
Law enforcement agencies often use Automatic Licence Plate Recognition (ALPR) technology to identify expired or unvalidated registrations. The current fine for driving without a validated permit is $125, plus court costs and surcharges. In some cases, courts can impose even higher penalties. Let's take a closer look:
Expired licence plates and car insurance
Driving with expired plate validation can lead to fines and administrative issues and it may also complicate an insurance claim if you’re involved in an accident. When handling a claim, insurance providers will likely ask for proof that your vehicle registration was valid and up to date. This is most common for claims involving theft, total loss or major damage, as it helps confirm ownership and registration status. If you’re unsure how an expired plate could affect your coverage, it’s best to speak directly with your insurance broker before a claim situation arises.
Contact BrokerLink today
If you have questions about renewing or replacing a licence plate in Ontario or how insurance fits into the process, the experts at BrokerLink can help. Whether you need proof of insurance for renewal, advice after a lost or stolen plate or help reviewing your coverage, our licensed brokers are here to support you.
You can reach us by phone, email or in person at any one of our locations throughout Ontario. And if you’re looking for a free car insurance quote, you can also try out our free online quote tool, which can provide you with a competitive quote in minutes!