How to register a vehicle in Ontario and get a vehicle permit (green permit), licence plate and licence plate sticker.
Your passenger vehicle, light commercial vehicle, motorcycle or moped license plate will renew automatically if you have no outstanding fines, fees or tolls and you have valid car insurance.
When you register your vehicle at a ServiceOntario centre you will get a vehicle permit, licence plate and sometimes a licence plate sticker. You need to renew your licence plate or sticker each year. Your vehicle permit needs to be updated within 6 days of a change in your address or vehicle information.
If you are buying a new vehicle from a dealership, the vehicle registration will usually be completed by the dealer. If it is not, you will have to register your vehicle at a ServiceOntario centre.
This Application for Vehicle Registration form (SR-LV-006) can be completed before visiting a ServiceOntario.
If you are buying a used vehicle, you will need to register the vehicle within 6 days of the sale at a ServiceOntario centre.
A temporary licence plate sticker lets you drive your vehicle to a garage (for safety standards certificate) to complete the requirements for a licence plate sticker and for other necessary short-term transportation purposes.
To register a vehicle and get a permit and licence plate, you need:
To ensure your vehicle is fit for the road, you will need a:
The first time you register a vehicle to a business or organization you must get a registrant identification number ( RIN ) at a ServiceOntario centre. To get a RIN or change the company name and/or address on an existing RIN you will need to provide the following:
This Application for Vehicle Registration form (SR-LV-006) can be completed before visiting a ServiceOntario.
This Application for Vehicle Registration form (SR-LV-006) can be completed before visiting a ServiceOntario.
Vehicle permit (all vehicles): $32
Licence plate (new and replacement), with permit: $59
Retail sales tax for the sale of the vehicle will be collected when you register.
Any outstanding fines in the licence plate holder’s name will be applied in addition to the above prices.
Visa, Mastercard, debit, cash, certified cheque
Vehicle permits and licence plates are issued immediately. Personalized licence plates will be mailed to the address you provide.
The vehicle identification number is a unique number set by the manufacturer of the vehicle and is usually located on the dashboard of the vehicle. The vehicle identification number is also printed on your vehicle permit and is required when you renew your licence plate online.
If the vehicle identification number on your vehicle permit does not match the number on your dashboard, you must bring the following documents to a ServiceOntario centre:
This Application for Vehicle Registration form (SR-LV-006) can be completed before visiting a ServiceOntario.
To replace a lost, stolen or damaged vehicle permit, visit a ServiceOntario centre.
Bring the following with you:
You must be the owner of the vehicle or have a Letter of Authorization from the vehicle owner.
This Application for Vehicle Registration form (SR-LV-006) can be completed before visiting a ServiceOntario.
You can attach licence plates that you currently have to a new or used vehicle.
This Application for Vehicle Registration form (SR-LV-006) can be completed before visiting a ServiceOntario.
To do this, you will need to bring the plate ownership portion of your vehicle permit when you register your vehicle at a ServiceOntario centre and pay an applicable fee.
If the vehicle is 20 year old or older, you may require an appraisal. Please contact the Ministry of Finance for more information.
If you don’t plan to register your vehicle but need to drive in Ontario temporarily, you may be eligible to get a 10-day special permit at a ServiceOntario centre.
By law, you must insure a vehicle if you plan to drive it in Ontario. You must have this insurance before you can:
In Ontario, you buy this insurance from a private insurance company. You will receive a pink insurance card from your insurance company. This card shows proof of insurance for the vehicle you are driving. When driving your own or someone else’s vehicle in Ontario, you must have the pink insurance card with you at all times. If you are stopped by a police officer while driving, you must show your pink insurance card when asked. If you do not, you can be fined up to $400.
Type of vehicle | Fee |
---|---|
Commercial vehicle (gross weight 3,000 kg and less) | $59 |
Trailer: original registration | $72 |
Trailer: replacement plate and permit | $48 |
Motorized snow vehicle: original registration (includes validation fee) | $33 |
Motorized snow vehicle: replacement decals and permit | $10 |
Off-road vehicle: original registration | $38 |
Off-road vehicle: replacement plate and permit | $20 |