TORONTO – With the constant shift to online services, the hassle of renewing Ontario photo cards and licences plates just got easier. Now, the public can receive an instant message via email, text, or phone number 30 and 60 days before its time to renew their health cards, driver’s licences and licence plates.
“We’re constantly improving government services to make life easier for people and businesses,” said Kaleed Rasheed, Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery. “Digital renewal reminders are a great way to help people remember to keep their ID, documents, and licence plates up to date and to take advantage of our easy and fast online services to renew them in minutes.”
So far, there are more than 40 services provided by Service Ontario available online.
The Ontario government wants the public to understand the importance of keeping their identification cards and licence plates up-to-date to ensure access to critical services and avoid fines or penalties.
For example, in March 2022, the government eliminated licence plate renewal fees and the requirement to have a licence plate sticker. However, the public still needs to renew their plates every one to two years to confirm their auto insurance is valid and that the public has paid for the outstanding highway tolls and other municipal fines.
“Signing up for renewal reminders via email, text or automated phone calls is an easy and fast way for people to keep their Ontario Photo Cards up to date. This initiative will provide Ontarians with more time to focus on what matters most while ensuring these critical documents like driver’s licences, licence plates, and Ontario Photo Cards, are always current,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation.
Since the launch of the service in 2021, there are now more than 2.6 million digital reminder subscriptions for licence plates, driver’s licences, and health cards.
Customers can renew online at Ontario.ca/Renew in minutes. Those who need to visit a ServiceOntario centre in person can book an appointment at Ontario.ca/Appointment to make the visit quicker and hassle-free.
