Cost Of Ontario Driver And Vehicle Licenses Going Up

For the first time in fifteen years, Ontario motorists will pay more for driver and vehicle licenses. The cost of renewing a driver's license or getting a new one will rise from $75 to $80, while the fees for various driver examinations increase from $5 to $10.

Passenger vehicle license validation fees rose on September 1 to $90 — an increase of $8 — for those in southern Ontario, while northern Ontario will see the fees go up to $45 — a $4 increase. Those fees will also see similar hikes in each of the following two years.

The province says these fees, among several others, are being increased to help cover the rising costs of maintaining provincial roads, bridges, and highways, as well as services such as education and health care.

The Ministry of Transportation says that even with these increases, Ontario’s passenger vehicle license fees will remain lower than many other provinces. "Making sure our roads, highways, and bridges remain in good repair is critical to Ontario’s economy," Transportation Minister Glen Murray said on September 11. "These moderate fee changes will help recover the cost of providing the quality services Ontarians expect and help maintain the province’s highway infrastructure for years to come."