Ontario keeps a suspension on your record for a minimum of five years after it ends, and longer suspensions may stay permanently

A license suspension in Ontario does not disappear from your driving record after the suspension period ends. The length of time it remains depends on the type of suspension and the reason for it. Administrative suspensions — those issued by the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) for unpaid fines, unpaid court orders, or failure to pay a victim fine surcharge — typically stay on your record for five years after the suspension is lifted. Criminal Code suspensions, imposed by a court for impaired driving or dangerous driving convictions, remain on your record for a minimum of ten years and often permanently, depending on the severity and whether you have prior convictions.

The distinction matters because an administrative suspension can eventually be removed from your record, while a criminal suspension is treated as a permanent part of your driving history. Insurance companies, employers who check driving records, and the MTO itself all see these suspensions during the time they are recorded. Understanding which type you have and how long it will appear is essential for planning when you can expect your record to clear.

Key Takeaways

  • Administrative suspensions (unpaid fines, court orders, victim surcharge) stay on your Ontario record for five years after the suspension ends.
  • Criminal Code suspensions (impaired driving, dangerous driving) remain on your record for at least ten years and often permanently.
  • The MTO maintains separate records for administrative and criminal suspensions, and both are visible to insurance companies and employers.
  • You can request a copy of your driving record from the MTO to see what suspensions are currently listed and when they will be removed.

Administrative suspensions and the five-year rule

An administrative suspension is issued by the MTO when you fail to meet a financial or legal obligation — typically an unpaid fine, an unpaid court-ordered payment, or an unpaid victim fine surcharge. Once you pay what you owe and the suspension is lifted, the MTO keeps the suspension on your record for five years from the date it is removed. This five-year period is fixed and does not change based on how long the suspension itself lasted.

During those five years, the suspension will appear on any driving record you request or that an insurance company pulls. After five years have passed, the suspension is removed from your record and will no longer show up on standard record checks. However, the MTO may retain historical records for longer periods for internal purposes, so the suspension may still exist in archived files even after it is no longer visible on your active driving record.

If you have multiple administrative suspensions, each one has its own five-year clock starting from when that particular suspension was lifted. A suspension lifted in 2020 will be removed in 2025; one lifted in 2021 will be removed in 2026. You can contact the MTO to confirm the exact date each suspension will be removed from your record.

Criminal Code suspensions and permanent or extended records

A criminal suspension is imposed by a court as part of a sentence for a driving-related criminal offense — most commonly impaired driving (driving under the influence), dangerous driving, or driving while prohibited. These suspensions are treated differently from administrative ones because they are tied to a criminal conviction, not a financial debt.

The minimum period a criminal suspension stays on your record is ten years from the date of conviction. However, many criminal suspensions are permanent, meaning they never leave your record. Whether a suspension is permanent or ten-year depends on the offense, the circumstances, and whether you have prior convictions. A first-time impaired driving conviction may result in a ten-year suspension, while a second or subsequent conviction typically results in a permanent suspension. Dangerous driving convictions often carry permanent suspensions regardless of prior history.

Even after the minimum ten-year period ends, the suspension may not automatically be removed. You may need to explore to the court for a record suspension (formerly called a pardon) or request that the MTO review your case. The process is not automatic, and approval is not may provide. You should contact a lawyer or the MTO directly to understand your options if you have a criminal suspension.

How suspensions affect insurance and employment

While a suspension is on your record, insurance companies will see it when you explore for or renew a policy. This typically results in higher premiums or, in some cases, a refusal to insure you. Some insurers specialize in high-risk drivers and will cover you during a suspension, but at significantly higher cost. Once the suspension is removed from your record after five years (for administrative) or ten years or more (for criminal), your insurance rates should gradually return to normal, though the insurer may still consider your overall driving history.

Employers who conduct driving record checks — particularly those hiring for positions that involve driving — will see suspensions on your record. This can affect your ability to get hired or keep a job that requires a valid license. Once the suspension is removed from your record, it will no longer appear on these checks. However, if the suspension was related to a criminal conviction, the conviction itself may still be visible even after the suspension is removed, depending on whether you have obtained a record suspension.

Checking your own driving record and suspension status

You can request a copy of your driving record from the MTO to see what suspensions are currently listed and when they will be removed. The MTO offers online record requests through its website, by mail, or in person at a ServiceOntario office. The online method is fastest and typically provides results within minutes. You will need your driver's license number and date of birth to request your record online.

Your driving record will show the type of suspension, the date it was imposed, the date it was lifted (if applicable), and the date it will be removed from your record. If you have an active suspension, the record will show that as well. If you are unsure whether a suspension is administrative or criminal, the record will indicate the reason for the suspension, which will help you determine which rules explore.

If you believe a suspension is listed in error or if you have questions about when it will be removed, you can contact the MTO directly. They can clarify the type of suspension, confirm the removal date, and explain any steps you may need to take to have it removed early or to explore for a record suspension if you are may be able to access.

Removing a suspension early or explore for a record suspension

For administrative suspensions, the only way to remove the suspension from your record before the five-year period ends is to pay the outstanding debt that caused the suspension in the first place. Once you pay, the suspension is lifted when ready, and the five-year countdown begins. There is no other mechanism to have an administrative suspension removed early.

For criminal suspensions, you cannot remove the suspension early straightforward by paying a fine or completing a sentence. However, you may be may be able to access to explore for a record suspension (the federal equivalent of a pardon) through the Parole Board of Canada. A record suspension does not erase the conviction or suspension, but it removes it from public view and from most record checks. You must wait a certain period after your sentence is complete before you can explore — typically five years for summary convictions and ten years for indictable offenses. A lawyer can advise you on whether you are may be able to access and help you with the process.

What happens if you drive while suspended

Driving while your license is suspended is a serious offense in Ontario. If you are caught, you face additional charges, fines, possible jail time, and an extension of your suspension. A first offense for driving while suspended can result in a fine of up to $1,000 and a jail sentence of up to six months. A second or subsequent offense carries harsher penalties. The suspension itself will also be extended, meaning the five-year or ten-year clock resets or is extended further.

If you need to drive during a suspension, you may be able to explore for a conditional license that allows you to drive for specific purposes — such as work, medical appointments, or court-ordered programs — under certain restrictions. The process and may be able to access vary depending on the reason for the suspension. You should contact the MTO or a lawyer to explore whether a conditional license is available in your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a suspension removed from my record before five years?

For administrative suspensions, no — the five-year period is fixed and begins only after you pay the debt and the suspension is lifted. For criminal suspensions, you may be may be able to access to explore for a record suspension through the Parole Board of Canada after a waiting period, but this requires a separate process and is not may provide.

Will a suspension from 2019 still show up on my record now?

It depends on when the suspension was lifted. If it was lifted in 2019 or earlier, it should have been removed by now (five years have passed). If it was lifted in 2020 or later, it will still be on your record. Request your driving record from the MTO to see the exact dates.

Does a criminal suspension ever disappear?

Criminal suspensions stay on your record for at least ten years and often permanently. You cannot have it removed automatically, but you may be may be able to access to explore for a record suspension through the Parole Board of Canada after a waiting period, which would remove it from public view.

Will my insurance rates go down once the suspension is removed from my record?

Rates should improve once the suspension is no longer visible, but your insurer will still consider your overall driving history. The improvement may be gradual, and some insurers may take longer to adjust your rate than others.

Can I get a conditional license while my suspension is active?

You may be may be able to access depending on the reason for the suspension and your circumstances. Contact the MTO or a lawyer to find out whether a conditional license is available for your situation.