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7 minute read Published on Jun 30, 2026 by BrokerLink Communications
The keys are in your hand and now the next steps are ahead. Your car insurance is active, but the safety and registration may not be. If the plates are off or the vehicle is not ready to register as fit, one of Ontario’s two temporary permits can cover short, specific trips while you finish the process. Below, we’ll walk you through what each permit does, how to choose the right one, where you can get them, where you’re supposed to place them and how often you can renew them.
There’s often a short stretch of time when a vehicle is yours but not quite ready to be driven freely. How far you can take it and for what reason depends on which permit applies. Ontario has two temporary permits and the difference between them generally comes down to whether the vehicle already has Ontario plates. Let's take a look:
Permit type
When to use
Documents needed
Fee*
Duration
Extensions/limits
Temporary licence plate sticker
To drive a vehicle you bought that already has Ontario plates while you complete the requirements for a regular plate sticker (such as a safety or registration update)
* Current vehicle permit showing FIT or TMP status * Photo ID * Proof of insurance
$15
10 days
Up to two temporary licence plate stickers for the same VIN/registrant within 365 days
Special permit
To drive a vehicle that is not plated or not yet registered in Ontario that needs to be moved into, within or out of the province for a specific purpose, such as inspection, repair, emissions testing or salvage movement
* Current vehicle permit (if you have it) * Photo ID * Proof of insurance * Purpose of travel
$23.50 for passenger vehicles
Up to two special permits for the same VIN/registrant within 365 days
*Fees current as of December 2025.
Please note that if you already have Ontario plates in your name and plan to use them on a vehicle you just bought, you may not need a temporary permit at all. Ontario allows plates to move with the same registered owner, as long as your insurance is updated first. The plate transfer will take effect as soon as ServiceOntario updates the registration.
Temporary plate stickers generally do not apply to commercial vehicles. Special permits are usually required instead.
With a private “as is” sale, the paperwork often changes hands before the vehicle is ready for the road. The seller removes their plates and the safety still needs to be done, which means that the registration has to wait. What follows is the order many people end up using, even though timing can shift from one purchase to the next. Here is the path many people follow, though your steps may look slightly different depending on the timing:
Before anything happens, you’ll want to take time to review the Used Vehicle Information Package (UVIP). It shows past ownership, lien information and the vehicle’s details as Ontario has them on record. The bill of sale should clearly list the buyer, seller, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), purchase price and date. These two documents establish the transaction, even though they’re not used to issue a temporary permit.
Next comes auto insurance. The policy needs to be set up using the vehicle’s VIN so you can receive proof of insurance. This step often happens the same day as the sale. Without active insurance, ServiceOntario can’t issue a temporary permit. You can’t even drive the vehicle home after purchasing it.
With insurance in place, you can visit your local ServiceOntario Centre to request the permit that fits the vehicle’s status. If the vehicle already has Ontario plates, that may mean a temporary licence plate sticker. If it doesn’t, a special permit may apply. Plates may also be issued at this stage if needed.
Your temporary permit allows limited driving so your vehicle can be taken for a safety inspection or repairs.
Once the vehicle passes inspection and receives its Safety Standards Certificate (SSC), you can return to the ServiceOntario Centre to register it as fit, finalize the permit and attach your permanent licence plates.
If you have your own set of plates, you may wish to reuse them instead. But the plates need to be eligible, the insurance needs to be active and the paperwork needs to match before ServiceOntario can complete the transfer. Here are the steps you need to take:
The plates need to match the class of the new vehicle and the ownership on record needs to match yours. Holds, unpaid fines or suspensions linked to your record can interrupt the process, so make sure to look over your most recent paperwork to see if there’s anything that needs attention.
The new vehicle needs to be listed on your policy before the plates can move from one car to another. Some people call their insurance company from home or even from the seller’s driveway, so that this step is settled before they go to ServiceOntario.
With insurance active, you can bring the plate portion from your old permit, the documents for your new vehicle and your valid ID, like a driver’s licence, to ServiceOntario. If everything matches what is on record, staff may be able to complete the plate transfer during that visit.
In some situations, the safety inspection or vehicle registration cannot be completed that same day. When that happens, you may still need a temporary sticker so the vehicle can be moved while the remaining steps are sorted out.
You’ll need to attach your plates securely and place any temporary sticker in the required spot on the rear window. Then, once the registration is finished, your plates will return to regular use.
The placement of your permit will depend on which one you have:
When you attach a temporary plate sticker in Ontario, make sure it goes in the upper right corner of the licence plate. That placement helps ensure the permit can be seen and understood from behind the vehicle.
According to Ontario Regulation 71/08 under the Highway Traffic Act, a special permit needs to be displayed on a passenger vehicle’s windshield in a clearly visible location. Please note that the details on both the sticker and permit must remain readable, so you’ll need to make sure there isn’t any snow or ice that’s blocking them before you begin your trip.
If you find yourself waiting on a repair appointment, you may be wondering if you can simply extend the permit and buy yourself a little more time. The short answer is maybe, as the MTO places a limit of two per 365 days on both types of temporary permits. Because of this, renewals are not guaranteed, so it’s generally best if you plan your next steps within the ten-day window.
While applying for a temporary permit can be pretty straightforward, there are a few things that could slow the process down. Here are some of the most common ones:
ServiceOntario needs to see that your policy is active before some transactions can move forward. People sometimes arrive expecting to finish everything, then find out the policy start date was never updated. A short call to your insurer before you leave may keep that from happening.
A missing middle initial, a typo or a number copied down in a hurry can be enough to pause a file. Comparing the name and VIN on your documents with what is on the permit may catch these details before you reach the counter.
Both temporary licence plate stickers and special permits have to be purchased in person the first time. That initial visit to ServiceOntario is not optional, because staff need to review the permit type, the vehicle status and your documents before issuing it. But when it comes to renewals, special permits may be eligible for online renewal, while temporary licence plate stickers are not. If you need another temporary sticker and you are still within the province’s limits, that request has to be handled in person.
Outstanding fines or unpaid tolls can sometimes appear only when the system checks your record during a transaction. If that happens, you may need to pay them before anything else proceeds.
Ten days can pass faster than expected, especially when you are waiting on parts, appointments or schedules. Once a temporary permit expires, driving with an expired temporary licence can lead to significant fines in Ontario. So make sure to keep an eye on the expiry date.
ServiceOntario needs proof of active insurance coverage before it can issue you a temporary permit. On top of that, your vehicle must be insured before it’s ever driven, even if it’s just to the repair shop or safety inspection. That typically means that insurance should be arranged before the vehicle ever moves.
You’ll need to insure your vehicle under your own Ontario auto insurance policy, which will need to list the vehicle by its VIN, even if it isn’t registered yet and the permit is only temporary. Ontario also requires certain coverages to be in place, regardless of how briefly the vehicle will be driven. These include:
Third-party liability coverage
Accident benefits coverage
Uninsured motorist coverage
If you’re nearing a purchase or working through the steps that follow one, it may help to have a second set of eyes. Speaking with a BrokerLink advisor can help you confirm that everything lines up before you visit ServiceOntario, rather than discovering an issue at the counter.
If you want help understanding your car insurance during this stage or you’re preparing for a purchase and want to know what to expect, reach out to a BrokerLink advisor. You can reach us by phone, email or in person at any one of our locations throughout Ontario. We also encourage you to take advantage of our free online quote tool that can provide you with a competitive quote in minutes. For official information about temporary permits, limits and fees, please contact the MTO and/or ServiceOntario.
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