Ontario Driver's Licence Renewal

If you’re a resident of Ontario, do you know when your driver’s licence expires? If not, you need to know. It’s important because the provincial government will send out a reminder notice before it expires. If you don’t renew your driver’s licence on time, there are penalties and consequences that could affect your driving record. Your driver’s licence expires 12 months after it was issued.

You can renew your driver’s licence online or in person at a Service Ontario centre. The renewal process is easy and online renewal is a great option if you don’t want to wait in a long line or if your licence expired already.

You must have your licence with you when you are renewing it, as well as proof of identity and address. It’s not necessary to get a new driver’s licence photo. The only thing that matters is getting this renewal session done before the expiry date.

How To Renew Your Driver's Licence Card Online

You can renew your driver’s licence card before the expiry date online at ontario.ca/myontario. You will still have to pay a renewal fee for a new licence.

Here’s what you’ll need to do:

Provide your driver’s licence number and date of birth. You will also need to enter the last digit of your health card number if you have one.
If this is a first-time application for an Ontario photo card or driver’s license, you will be asked for additional information such as the address where you live and work, along with contact information for those people who are authorized to drive your vehicle(s).

Driver's Licence: Renew Every 5 Years

You are required to renew your new driver’s licence every 5 years. Renewal is also required if you have a medical condition that affects your ability to drive safely, or if you turn 80 years of age. If you are a new resident of Ontario, you will also need to renew your driver’s licence.

If an eye examination has been performed in the last 10 years and shows no change from what was recorded on your current driver’s licence or photo card application form, there is no need for another examination at this time. However, if an eye examination has not been performed since the last renewal of your driver’s licence then one will be required before any further renewal can take place.

Do You Know Your Driver's Licence Number?

It’s easy to forget where you put your licence number. The good news is that it’s the same on both sides of your card, so if you can’t find it on one side of the card, check the other side! If that doesn’t work either, you may have misplaced or lost your notice. If so, bring along proof of identity and payment for a replacement cost of $28.50.

If all else fails and someone else has found their way into your wallet and taken away your health card as well as its corresponding licence number (sorry!), there are ways around this problem too! You can contact ServiceOntario at 1-800-387-3445 or visit any ServiceOntario centre in person to replace these items.

Be Safe: Laws For Driving With Cannabis In Your System

You might think it’s safe to drive with cannabis in your system, but it’s actually illegal—and you could be charged with a criminal offence. If you have cannabis in your body, there will be traces of it in your urine and blood for up to 24 hours after the last time you smoked or ingested cannabis. Keep this in mind when eating cannabis-infused edibles as well.

Reminder: You Need ID To Buy Cannabis

You need to show ID to prove that you are 19 or older.

You also need to show ID if you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada.

Finally, if you are not a minor (under 19), then you will have to provide proof of your age.

If you are driving with cannabis in your system, you need to be informed about the laws that govern this.

If you have used cannabis within two hours before driving, it can impair your ability to drive for up to 24 hours after consuming the drug. It’s important to know how long THC stays in your system because it can lead to serious consequences if an officer pulls you over and suspects that you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

New To Cannabis?

If you have a new driver’s licence and you are new to cannabis, be aware that it can impair your ability to drive.

A conviction for impaired driving can result in fines and loss of driving privileges. If convicted of impaired driving causing bodily harm, you’ll face a maximum fine of $1,000 and up to five years imprisonment. If convicted of impaired driving causing death by criminal negligence (essentially meaning that the person was grossly negligent), you’ll face a maximum fine of $50,000 and life imprisonment. These penalties apply even if there were no injuries or fatalities caused by your actions on the road.

If suspected by police officers while driving under the influence of cannabis, they may administer a series of roadside tests used by law enforcement worldwide:

Standardized field sobriety test (SFST) – these include walking heel-to-toe in a straight line; standing on one foot with eyes closed; counting out loud from 1-30; reciting the alphabet backwards; following a moving object with eyes using a finger as a reference point (horizontal gaze nystagmus). These tests have been found reliable and valid indicators of impairment at low blood alcohol levels but do not detect drug use per se — only its effects on motor skills such as balance coordination etcetera.”

Penalties For Driving Impaired

It is illegal to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If you are convicted of driving a car while high, you will receive a minimum fine ranging from $1,000 to $2,000. Your driver’s licence may also be suspended for up to five years. You may have an ignition interlock device installed on your vehicle if:

You are convicted of impaired driving causing death or bodily harm; or
You have been found guilty of three separate impaired driving offences within 10 years; or
The Registrar believes that it would not be in the public interest for you to keep your driver’s licence without an ignition interlock device installed in any vehicle you own or operate (this includes any vehicles owned jointly with another person).

Conclusion

We know that getting your new driver’s licence renewed can be a hassle. However, it is important to remember that renewing your licence every five years will make sure you keep doing what you love – driving on the road!

Support Local Dispensaries: Buy Legal Cannabis!

Buying legal cannabis is a great way to support local dispensaries. With your support, they can continue to provide you with their products and services.

If you live in Hamilton, Ontario, visit Bud Brothers Cannabis for the best recreational cannabis products on the market including flower, CBD oil, edibles, concentrates, pre-rolls, vapes, and all of your weed accessories.