How to reinstate your Ontario driver's license
To reinstate your Ontario driver's license after a suspension, you must contact ServiceOntario, pay any outstanding fines or fees, and meet the specific conditions that caused the suspension in the first place. The process depends on why your license was suspended — whether it was for unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, medical reasons, or accumulating too many demerit points. ServiceOntario will tell you exactly what you need to do and what documents to bring when you visit in person or call.
You cannot reinstate your license online or by mail. You must either visit a ServiceOntario office in person or call 1-800-387-3445 to speak with someone who can confirm what your specific suspension requires. The person on the phone or at the counter will give you a list of what to bring and what to pay before your license becomes valid again.
Key Takeaways
- You must contact ServiceOntario directly — either by phone at 1-800-387-3445 or by visiting an office in person — to find out why your license was suspended and what you need to do to reinstate it.
- Most reinstatements require you to pay outstanding fines, fees, or both before your license becomes valid again.
- If your suspension was for medical reasons, you may need a doctor's letter or a medical report before ServiceOntario will reinstate you.
- Bring your Ontario photo ID, your Social Insurance Number, and any documents ServiceOntario told you to bring when you visit in person.
- Once you have met all the conditions and paid all fees, your license is reinstated when ready if you are at an office, or within a few business days if you handle it by phone.
Call ServiceOntario to find out what your suspension requires
Before you do anything else, call ServiceOntario at 1-800-387-3445 to learn the reason for your suspension and what you must do to fix it. Have your driver's license number ready when you call. The person on the phone will tell you whether you owe money, need medical documents, or must meet other conditions.
ServiceOntario is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time. Wait times can be long during peak hours, so calling early in the day or later in the week often means a shorter hold. If you cannot reach anyone by phone, you can visit a ServiceOntario office in person — locations are listed on the ServiceOntario website.
Pay outstanding fines and reinstatement fees
Most suspensions require you to pay a reinstatement fee, which is separate from any traffic fines you owe. The reinstatement fee is currently $198.50, though you should confirm this amount when you call ServiceOntario because fees can change. If your suspension was caused by unpaid traffic fines, you must pay those fines as well before your license will be reinstated.
You can pay by phone using a credit or debit card when you call ServiceOntario, or you can pay in person at a ServiceOntario office. If you pay by phone, your license is usually reinstated within a few business days. If you pay in person, your license is reinstated when ready once the payment is processed and all other conditions are met.
If you cannot afford to pay the full amount at once, ask ServiceOntario whether a payment plan is available. Some suspensions allow you to pay in installments, though this varies depending on the reason for the suspension.
Gather documents if your suspension was for medical reasons
If your license was suspended because of a medical condition, you will need a letter or report from your doctor before ServiceOntario will reinstate you. The doctor's letter must confirm that you are now fit to drive and that any condition that caused the suspension has been resolved or is being managed.
ServiceOntario can tell you exactly what the doctor's letter needs to say and whether it must be on the doctor's letterhead or in a specific format. Some doctors charge a fee to write this letter, so ask about the cost when you call your doctor's office. Bring the original letter with you when you visit ServiceOntario in person, or mail it to the address ServiceOntario provides.
Visit a ServiceOntario office or complete reinstatement by phone
Once you have gathered everything ServiceOntario told you to bring, you can either visit an office in person or complete the reinstatement over the phone. Visiting in person is faster — your license is reinstated when ready once payment is processed and all documents are verified. By phone, reinstatement usually takes a few business days after you pay.
If you visit in person, bring your Ontario photo ID, your Social Insurance Number, and all documents ServiceOntario told you to bring. Arrive during office hours — most ServiceOntario offices are open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., though some have extended hours. Check the ServiceOntario website to find the office nearest you and confirm its hours before you go.
If you complete the reinstatement by phone, have your payment method ready and be prepared to answer questions about your suspension. ServiceOntario will confirm your address and other details on file. Once payment is processed, you will receive a confirmation number. Your license will be reinstated within a few business days, and you can drive legally once the reinstatement is complete.
What happens if your suspension was for demerit points
If your license was suspended because you accumulated too many demerit points, the suspension is automatic and lasts for a set period — usually 30 days for a first suspension, 90 days for a second, and one year for a third or more. You cannot shorten this waiting period, but you can reinstate your license as soon as the suspension period ends.
When the suspension period is over, call ServiceOntario to confirm that you are now may be able to access to reinstate. You will still need to pay the reinstatement fee of $198.50. Once you pay, your license is reinstated when ready if you pay in person, or within a few business days if you pay by phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my reinstatement is being processed?
No. Driving with a suspended license is illegal and can result in fines, criminal charges, and further suspension. You must wait until ServiceOntario confirms that your license has been reinstated before you drive. If you paid in person at an office, you can drive when ready once the transaction is complete.
What if I cannot pay the reinstatement fee right now?
Call ServiceOntario at 1-800-387-3445 and ask whether a payment plan is available for your type of suspension. Some suspensions allow installment payments, but not all do. If a payment plan is not available, you will need to pay the full fee before your license can be reinstated.
Do I need to take a test to reinstate my license?
For most suspensions, no test is required — you only need to pay the fee and meet any other conditions, such as providing a doctor's letter. However, if your suspension was for medical reasons and a significant amount of time has passed, ServiceOntario may require you to pass a vision test or medical examination before reinstatement.
How long does reinstatement take if I do it by phone?
Reinstatement by phone usually takes a few business days after you pay. You will receive a confirmation number when you pay, and ServiceOntario will mail you a new license or confirmation of reinstatement. You can drive once ServiceOntario confirms your reinstatement is complete.
What if my suspension was for unpaid child support?
If your license was suspended because of unpaid child support, you must contact the Family Responsibility Office to arrange payment or a payment plan before ServiceOntario will reinstate your license. Once the Family Responsibility Office confirms that your arrears are being paid, contact ServiceOntario to complete the reinstatement and pay the reinstatement fee.