Did you renew your driver’s license? Your reminder might have gotten misplaced in your inbox

In November of 2021, the Ministry of Federal government and Buyer Products and services introduced that Ontario driver’s licenses that are established to expire on or after March 1, 2022, would no lengthier be mailed paper renewal notices and would as an alternative acquire electronic reminders.

“Our govt carries on to offer much more alternatives to deliver in-need digital providers in a way that meets people’s wants in which they are and where they are heading,” suggests Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance in a news release. Even so, in a planet where by all the things and anyone competes for your notice on cellular phone screens, what Ontarians really want may possibly be a letter shipped to their doorstep, a thing tangible and tricky to pass up.

This transfer has appear with unintended penalties. Of particular take note, people could unknowingly be driving with expired licenses, and therefore get their automobile insurance policies plan revoked.

Out of sight, out of head — that is, right up until you get stopped by the law enforcement.

What delivers the adjust in Ontario’s license renewal method

The transition is reported to help save up to $29 million about five many years in postage and mailing fees, dollars the govt mentioned will be utilised to reinvest in education.

Residents can now receive renewal reminders at zero charge, both 60 times and 30 times right before the expiry day, via textual content, electronic mail or telephone.

Exemptions for driver’s license holders and automobile homeowners

Intended to supply adaptability and accommodate unique circumstances, specific folks and automobile house owners are exempt from these modifications.

• Seniors aged 70 decades and older
• People today with a driver’s license class A, B, C, D, E, or F.
• Men and women with endorsements that necessitate further testing (for example, airbrake endorsements)
• Organization/fleet motor vehicles
• Men and women who have jointly owned vehicles
• Major professional cars

The unseen consequence: driving with expired licenses and no insurance policies

In January and February of 2023, the Ontario Provincial Law enforcement (OPP) issued 82 tickets for expired licenses or stickers in northeast Ontario. This variety was virtually as a lot of as in the to start with six months of 2022.

If this doesn’t spark sufficient of a crimson flag, OPP in Mississauga can help paint a clearer photo on X (previously identified as Twitter): They flagged 32 vehicles in 22 minutes. Of those people drivers, 4 have been unlicensed drivers, and 27 had expired automobile registrations.

Suffice it to say, Ontario drivers have been caught off guard by this new license renewal approach and may well be inadvertently driving with expired licenses. Also, car coverage companies demand valid driver’s licenses as a part of their underwriting and plan issuance system. This signifies, if your license has expired and your insurance company isn’t knowledgeable, your policy could be deemed void or canceled.

“Our brokerage has witnessed an increase of around 30 for every cent in the selection of non-renewals that we obtain ensuing from an expired license,” claims Cassie Gilroy, retention supervisor at Mitch Insurance policies. “Our sales workforce is also looking at expired licenses consistently when new clients are applying for procedures. It has develop into a common prevalence in our working day-to-working day routines.”

Renewing your car insurance plan after it has been canceled for the reason that of an expired license can be difficult, in particular if you get caught driving without a person. Insurance policies companies will see you as a higher-possibility driver, and getting reasonably priced coverage could grow to be a overwhelming activity.

Connected: Why your driver’s license heritage matters to automobile insurance policy providers

Caught with an expired license? Consider a appear at the ramifications

Driving without the need of a valid license is unlawful in Ontario and can final result in serious legal and economic implications. If you’re pulled in excess of by regulation enforcement without the need of a legitimate driver’s license, you could experience:

Improved insurance policy rates: If your invalid license goes unnoticed, you could anticipate top quality increases at the time of renewal due to the additional risk of insuring an unlicensed driver. If your license continues to be expired for over a calendar year, it could also invalidate your coverage and get any claim submissions turned down.

Delays in claims processing: The statements system takes for a longer time since the insurance policies adjuster needs to wait to confirm if your license is or was valid in the course of the time of the incident. This places tension as you now have to uncover time to go to an MTO workplace to retrieve this information with the supplied time constraints.

Reduce your suitable to sue: Incidents can materialize at any time and be brought about by anyone. Under subsection 267.6(1) of the Ontario Insurance plan Act, even if you are at no fault, if you did not have a valid driving license, and subsequently with no valid insurance plan protection at the time of the collision, you just cannot sue for damages.

License suspension: Your driving privileges may possibly be suspended, affecting your ability to get the job done, commute, or carry out important everyday duties. There is also a $281 license reinstatement charge.

Fines and penalties: In Ontario, the fines for driving with an expired license can be significant, reaching a whopping $325, even though expired plates can outcome in a $110 ticket. If you discover yourself caught driving with these violations exterior of Ontario, you may well deal with even steeper fines.

Auto impoundment: If you’re caught with an invalid license, your car will be impounded for 7 days. This incurs added towing and storage expenses, more incorporating to the financial effects of non-compliance.

Linked: How a car incident affects your insurance coverage quality

What if you have a declare to submit?

In terms of the duration for how extended your license has been expired, there’s no distinction between a quick lapse vs . a extended lapse to your insurance provider, as long as the MTO is ready to renew or reinstate the license.

If you are unsuccessful to get your license renewed or reinstated devoid of a lapse in time, you can anticipate to get your statements denied thinking of you lacked a legitimate license at the time of the incident. Any modifications to rates would be induced by you finding convicted for driving without the need of a legitimate license and/or getting to return to a G1 license.

Related: How your claims history influences your car insurance policy rates

Act quick. Get your license renewed

Never panic if you understand that your license has expired.

According to Gilroy, the reinstatement system for your license is clear-cut. In most instances, your insurance policy won’t be impacted. However, the longer you go with an expired license, the far more most likely you are to operate into an accident that will ultimately increase your insurance plan premiums.

“The best point you can do is not generate till you are in a position to get to the MTO and validate your license is reinstated or renewed,” she advises. “The a lot quicker you can get proof of reinstatement to your insurance policies enterprise, the much less possibility they have of delays in the plan acquiring issued.”

Read following: How to file a car insurance coverage claim following a collision