Check your license status directly with your province's driver licensing authority
Your driver's license suspension status is held by the province or territory where you hold your license, not by a national database. To find out whether your license is suspended, you need to contact the specific ministry or service that issued it. Each province has its own online portal, phone line, or in-person office where you can look up your status in minutes.
The fastest method is usually the online portal, which lets you check 24 hours a day without waiting on hold. If you do not have internet access or prefer to speak with someone, every province offers a phone number where staff can tell you your status when ready. You will need your driver's license number or date of birth to look it up either way.
Key Takeaways
- Each Canadian province and territory runs its own driver licensing system, so you must contact the authority in the province where your license was issued.
- Most provinces offer an online portal where you can check your license status when ready without calling or visiting an office.
- If you cannot access the online system, you can call the provincial licensing authority or visit a Service Ontario, ServiceBC, or equivalent office in person.
- A suspension means you are legally prohibited from driving; you will need to resolve the underlying reason (unpaid fines, medical suspension, insurance lapse) before your license is reinstated.
- Some provinces charge a reinstatement fee once you have addressed the suspension reason, so ask about costs when you contact them.
How to check online in your province
Most provinces offer a self-serve portal on their government website. Search for your province's name plus "driver license status" or "driving record" to find the correct link. Ontario residents use the ServiceOntario portal, British Columbia residents use the ICBC (Insurance Corporation of British Columbia) website, Alberta residents use the Alberta One portal, and so on.
Once you find the portal, you will typically enter your driver's license number, date of birth, and sometimes a postal code or the last four digits of your social insurance number. The system will display your license status within seconds. If your license is suspended, the portal usually tells you the reason (unpaid fines, medical hold, insurance lapse, criminal code conviction) and what you need to do to have it reinstated.
If the online portal is down or you cannot find your province's system, move to the phone method rather than waiting. Government portals occasionally undergo maintenance, and calling is often faster than troubleshooting a website.
Contact information for each province and territory
| Province/Territory | Authority | Phone Number | Online Portal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | ServiceOntario | 1-800-387-3445 | ontario.ca/driversrecord |
| British Columbia | ICBC | 1-800-663-3051 | icbc.com |
| Alberta | Alberta One | 1-780-427-7013 | albertaone.ca |
| Manitoba | Manitoba Public Insurance | 1-877-627-6237 | mpi.mb.ca |
| Saskatchewan | SGI Saskatchewan | 1-800-667-8015 | sgicanada.ca |
| Quebec | Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) | 1-800-361-7248 | saaq.gouv.qc.ca |
| New Brunswick | Service New Brunswick | 1-888-762-8600 | snb.ca |
| Nova Scotia | Nova Scotia Registry of Motor Vehicles | 1-902-424-5851 | novascotia.ca/motorvehicles |
| Prince Edward Island | PEI Service Prince Edward Island | 1-902-368-5550 | princeedwardisland.ca |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Service NL | 1-709-729-2735 | servicenl.gov.nl.ca |
| Yukon | Yukon Motor Vehicles | 1-867-667-5315 | yukon.ca |
| Northwest Territories | NWT Motor Vehicles | 1-867-873-7405 | nwt.ca |
| Nunavut | Nunavut Motor Vehicles | 1-867-975-7000 | nunavut.ca |
Call during business hours listed on the authority's website. Have your driver's license number ready when you call. Staff will confirm your identity and tell you whether your license is suspended, the reason, and the steps to reinstate it.
If you are calling from outside Canada or prefer written confirmation of your status, most provinces can mail or email you a copy of your driving record. Ask about this option when you call, as it typically takes five to ten business days to arrive.
What to do if your license is suspended
Once you know your license is suspended, you need to address the underlying reason before it can be reinstated. The most common reasons are unpaid traffic fines, a lapsed insurance policy, a medical suspension, or a criminal code conviction. The licensing authority will tell you which one applies to you.
If the suspension is due to unpaid fines, contact the court or the provincial fine collection office to pay what you owe. If it is due to a lapsed insurance policy, contact your insurance provider to reinstate coverage, then notify the licensing authority. If it is a medical suspension, you may need to provide a doctor's letter confirming you are fit to drive. If it is criminal code related, you will need to follow the specific conditions set by the court.
Once you have resolved the reason, contact the licensing authority again to request reinstatement. Some provinces charge a reinstatement fee (typically $50 to $200, depending on the province and the reason for suspension). Ask about the fee when you first contact them so you know what to expect.
In-person visits to a licensing office
If you prefer to check your status in person, you can visit a driver licensing office in your province. In Ontario, these are ServiceOntario offices. In British Columbia, you visit an ICBC office. Other provinces have their own equivalents. You will need to bring your driver's license or a piece of government-issued photo identification.
Wait times at in-person offices vary widely depending on the location and time of day. Calling ahead or checking the office's website for current wait times can save you a trip. Many offices now offer appointment booking online, which eliminates the wait entirely. If you are checking your status in person, staff can also explain reinstatement steps and answer questions about fees or timelines on the spot.
What happens if you drive with a suspended license
Driving with a suspended license is illegal in every Canadian province and territory. If you are stopped by police, you face fines, possible jail time, and a criminal record depending on the province and whether it is your first offense. The fines range from several hundred dollars to over $1,000, and a criminal record can affect employment, travel, and insurance rates for years.
If your license is suspended, do not drive. Use public transit, ride-sharing services, or ask someone else to drive. The temporary inconvenience is far less costly than the legal consequences of driving while suspended. Some employers offer temporary transportation support or flexible schedules if you explain the situation, so it is worth asking before assuming you have no options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a license suspension last?
The length of a suspension depends on the reason. Suspensions for unpaid fines end once you pay. Medical suspensions last until a doctor clears you. Insurance-related suspensions end when you reinstate coverage. Criminal code suspensions can last months or years depending on the court order. Contact your provincial authority to find out the specific timeline for your suspension.
Can I drive to work if my license is suspended?
No. A suspended license means you cannot drive for any reason, including work. Some provinces offer a restricted or conditional license in specific circumstances (such as driving to and from work only), but you must request this through the licensing authority and meet strict conditions. Do not assume you are allowed to drive without confirming with your province first.
Will a suspension show up on my driving record?
Yes. A suspension is recorded on your driving record and will appear when you request a copy of your record or when an insurance company checks it. This can affect your insurance rates when your license is reinstated. Some provinces allow suspensions to be removed from your record after a certain period of time if you have no further violations, but you will need to ask your licensing authority about the rules in your province.
What if I lost my driver's license number?
You can still check your status using your date of birth and other identifying information. When you call the licensing authority, explain that you do not have your license number and staff will look you up using your name and date of birth instead. If you are checking online, the portal usually offers an option to search by date of birth if you do not have your license number.
Do I need to check my status before renewing my license?
Yes. If your license is suspended, you cannot renew it until the suspension is lifted and the underlying reason is resolved. Attempting to renew while suspended will be rejected. Check your status before you start the renewal process to avoid wasting time or fees.