How to Reinstate a Suspended Driver’s Licence in Ontario

A suspended driver’s licence in Ontario can create significant disruptions in your daily life, impacting everything from your ability to commute to work to performing everyday tasks.

Reinstating your licence can be a straightforward process, but it depends on the reason for the suspension. This article will provide a detailed overview of the steps you need to take to reinstate your suspended driver’s licence in Ontario.

Understanding Licence Suspension in Ontario

A driver’s licence in Ontario can be suspended for various reasons, including:

• Unpaid fines: Failing to pay traffic tickets or other fines.
• Demerit points accumulation: Accumulating too many demerit points due to traffic violations.
• Criminal convictions: Offences like impaired driving or dangerous driving.
• Medical reasons: Failing to meet medical standards required for driving.
• Administrative reasons: Novice driver violations, Distracted driving charges, and court orders.

Each suspension type has specific reinstatement requirements that must be followed.

Step 1: Determine the Reason for Suspension

The first step to reinstating your licence is to determine why it was suspended. The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) typically sends a suspension notice by mail to the last known registered address of the driver. The notice will detail the reason for the suspension and the steps needed for reinstatement.

If you’re unsure why your licence was suspended, you can contact the MTO or check online through ServiceOntario.

Step 2: Fulfill the Requirements

Depending on the reason for your suspension, the requirements for reinstatement will vary:

Unpaid Fines: If your licence was suspended due to unpaid fines, you must pay the full amount owing. This can be done online through the ServiceOntario website, by phone, or in person at a ServiceOntario centre. Once the payment is made, the suspension will be lifted.

Demerit Points: If your suspension was due to accumulating too many demerit points, you may be required serve a 30 day suspension and/or to take a remedial driving course. The MTO will inform you if this is necessary. Upon completion of the course, you may be eligible to have your licence reinstated.

Criminal Convictions: If your licence was suspended due to a criminal conviction, you will need to wait until the suspension period is over. After this period, you may need to pay a reinstatement fee and possibly complete additional requirements, such as providing proof of insurance.

Medical Reasons: If your licence was suspended for medical reasons, you must provide the MTO with a medical report from your doctor confirming that you meet the required health standards for driving.

Administrative Reasons: If your suspension was due to administrative issues, such as failing to provide required information to the MTO, you must resolve the issue by providing the necessary documentation or completing the requested action.

Step 3: Pay the Reinstatement Fee

Once you’ve fulfilled the specific requirements for your suspension, you must pay a reinstatement fee. This fee is mandatory and can be paid online through Service Ontario, by phone, or in person at a Service Ontario centre. The current reinstatement fee is $281, but it’s advisable to check the latest fee schedule on the official Ontario website, as fees can change.

Step 4: Check Your Licence Status

After paying the reinstatement fee, it’s important to check the status of your licence to ensure it has been reinstated. You can do this online through the ServiceOntario Driver’s Licence Check service. It’s recommended to wait a few days after making the payment to confirm that your licence status has been updated, and to ensure you keep a copy of the payment and licence reinstatement on your person while driving.

Step 5: Obtain a New Licence (if required)

In some cases, you may need to obtain a new physical driver’s licence. This is especially true if your licence was suspended for a long period of time or if it was damaged or lost. You can order a new licence online through Service Ontario or visit a Service Ontario centre in person.

Step 6: Stay Informed and Compliant

To avoid future suspensions, it’s important to stay informed about the reasons that could lead to a licence suspension and comply with Ontario’s driving regulations. Regularly checking your demerit point status, ensuring fines are paid on time, and adhering to road safety rules are essential steps in maintaining your driving privileges.

Conclusion

Reinstating a suspended driver’s licence in Ontario requires understanding the reason for the suspension and following the specific steps outlined by the Ministry of Transportation.

Whether it’s paying outstanding fines, completing a remedial driving course, or providing a medical report, each situation is unique and demands careful attention to detail. By following the proper procedures and paying the necessary fees, you can regain your driving privileges and return to the road with confidence.

For the most up-to-date information and to begin the reinstatement process, visit the official Ontario Ministry of Transportation website.

Many times drivers receive a large fine or numerous small fines that they are unable to pay within the time given by the court.

The court understands that not all people can make timely payments, but they do expect the driver to make reasonable efforts to pay for their convictions.

Where the driver is unable to pay the fine in full the court expects that the driver should make partial payments to the court.  Where the driver, makes efforts to pay their fines or applies to the court, the court will/may grant an extension of time to pay the fine.

Where the driver has entered into a payment plan with the court, the court will not request the licence be suspended.

Drivers can request more time pay, or enter into a payment plan with the court by completing and filing a Motion to Extend the Time to Pay a Fine.

Where a driver is unable to pay a fine a within the prescribed period and/or the fine has gone into default, the driver may apply to the court for a Motion to Extend the Time to Pay a Fine, under the Provincial Offences Act of Ontario.

The Provincial Offences Act states: A defendant may, at any time, make an application for an extension or a further extension of time for payment of a fine by completing the prescribed form and filing it in the office of the court.

Review by justice: If the justice is satisfied that the person who has defaulted is unable to pay the fine within a reasonable period of time, the justice may,

• grant an extension of the time allowed for payment of the fine;
• require the person to pay the fine according to a schedule of payments established by the justice;
• in exceptional circumstances, reduce the amount of the fine or order that the fine does not have to be paid

Where a driver enters into a Motion to Extend the Time to Pay a Fine, and the extension is granted, any suspension will be canceled.

See Filing a Motion to Extend the Time to Pay a Fine >>>