Where to check your license status depends on which province or territory issued it
Your driver's license is issued by your province or territory, not by the federal government, so you check the status through that province's licensing authority. Most provinces let you check online through their motor vehicle or transportation website. Some require a phone call or an in-person visit. The fastest route is usually the online portal, which takes a few minutes and requires your driver's license number and date of birth.
A suspended license means you are not legally permitted to drive. The suspension stays in effect until you complete whatever action triggered it — paying a fine, attending a court date, completing a driver improvement course, or reinstating your license after a medical review. Driving while suspended carries serious penalties, including additional fines, criminal charges, and a longer suspension period.
If you are unsure which province issued your license, check the card itself. The province name appears at the top.
Key Takeaways
- Each province and territory runs its own licensing system, so you check your status through that province's motor vehicle authority website, by phone, or in person.
- You will need your driver's license number and date of birth to check online; a phone call may require additional identification details.
- A suspension means you cannot legally drive until you complete the required action, whether that is paying a fine, attending court, or passing a medical exam.
- Driving while suspended is a criminal offense in most provinces and results in fines, a longer suspension, and a criminal record.
How to check online in your province
Ontario: Visit the ServiceOntario website and select "Check driver record" under the Driver and Vehicle Services section. Enter your license number and date of birth. The system shows your current status when ready.
British Columbia: Go to the ICBC (Insurance Corporation of British Columbia) website and use the "Check your driver's license status" tool. You will need your license number and the postal code on your license.
Alberta: Use the Alberta One-Call service online or call 310-0000 (toll-free in Alberta). You can also visit a registry office in person. Have your license number ready.
Quebec: Visit the SAAQ (Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec) website and log in with your license number and date of birth. The status appears in your online account.
Manitoba: Check the Manitoba Public Insurance website under "Check your driver's license status." Enter your license number and date of birth.
Saskatchewan: Visit the SGI (Saskatchewan Government Insurance) website or call their customer service line. You will need your license number.
Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador: Contact your provincial motor vehicle office by phone or visit in person. Online checking is not available in these provinces, but staff can tell you your status over the phone with your license number and date of birth.
Territories (Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut): Contact your territorial motor vehicle office directly by phone or visit in person.
What to do if your license is suspended
The first step is finding out why it is suspended. The licensing authority can tell you the reason and what you need to do to lift the suspension. Common reasons include unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, medical concerns flagged by your doctor or the licensing authority, accumulation of demerit points, or a conviction for impaired driving.
Once you know the reason, follow the specific steps required. If it is an unpaid fine, you will need to pay it. If you missed a court date, you may need to contact the court and reschedule or explain your absence. If it is a medical suspension, you may need to provide a doctor's report confirming you are fit to drive. If it is a demerit point suspension, you may need to wait out a mandatory period or complete a driver improvement course.
After you complete the required action, contact the licensing authority again to confirm the suspension has been lifted. Some provinces lift it automatically once the condition is met; others require you to formally request reinstatement. Do not drive until you have confirmation that your license is active again.
Reinstatement fees and timelines
Most provinces charge a reinstatement fee once you have resolved the reason for the suspension. This fee varies by province and by the type of suspension. Ontario charges between $150 and $300 depending on the suspension type. British Columbia charges $150. Alberta charges $75. Quebec charges $30 to $60. Check your province's website for the exact amount.
The timeline for reinstatement depends on what caused the suspension. If you pay an outstanding fine today, the suspension may lift within hours or by the next business day. If you need a medical report, it may take a week or two to arrange an appointment and submit the paperwork. If you are serving a mandatory suspension period (common after impaired driving convictions), you must wait out the full period before you can even request reinstatement.
What happens if you drive while suspended
Driving with a suspended license is illegal in every province and territory. If you are stopped by police, you face an when ready fine, vehicle impoundment, and a criminal charge. The fine ranges from $500 to $2,000 depending on the province. Your vehicle may be towed and held until you pay impound fees. A criminal conviction for driving while suspended stays on your record and affects your ability to cross the border, travel for work, or hold certain jobs.
A conviction also typically results in an additional suspension period on top of the one already in place. For example, if your license was suspended for six months, a conviction for driving while suspended may add another six to twelve months. This compounds the original problem and keeps you off the road longer.
If you disagree with the suspension
If you believe the suspension is a mistake or unfair, most provinces have an appeal process. Contact your provincial licensing authority and ask about the procedure for disputing a suspension. You may need to provide documentation or attend a hearing. The process and timeline vary by province.
For medical suspensions, you can request a reassessment by providing updated medical documentation from your doctor. For demerit point suspensions, you may be able to challenge the ticket that led to the points if you believe it was issued in error. For court-related suspensions, you will need to address the underlying court matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive to work if my license is suspended?
No. A suspension means you cannot drive for any reason, including work. Some provinces offer a restricted license for work-related driving only, but you must request this separately and meet specific criteria. Contact your provincial licensing authority to ask if a work restriction is available in your situation.
Will a suspension show up on my insurance?
Yes. Insurance companies check your driving record regularly. A suspension will be recorded, and your insurer may cancel your policy or charge a much higher premium. Some insurers will not cover you at all while your license is suspended.
How long does a suspension usually last?
It depends on the reason. Unpaid fine suspensions may lift within days of payment. Demerit point suspensions typically last three to twelve months. Medical suspensions last until your doctor clears you. Impaired driving suspensions can last one to three years or longer. Check with your provincial authority for the specific duration in your case.
What if I moved to a different province after my suspension?
Suspensions follow you across provincial lines. If you were suspended in Ontario and moved to British Columbia, the suspension remains active. You cannot straightforward get a new license in a different province to avoid it. You must resolve the suspension in the province that issued it before you can obtain a valid license elsewhere.
Can I check someone else's license status?
No. License status is private information. You can only check your own license status. If you need to know whether someone else is licensed to drive — for example, before hiring them as a driver — they must provide that information themselves or authorize the licensing authority to release it.