Where to check your license status by province

Your driver's license suspension status is held by the province or territory where you hold your license, not by a national database. Each province and territory runs its own licensing system, so you check with the body that issued your license.

In most provinces, you can check online through the ministry or service that handles driver licensing. In Ontario, that's ServiceOntario. In British Columbia, it's the ICBC (Insurance Corporation of British Columbia). In Alberta, it's Alberta Transportation. The process and website differ by province, but the information you need is the same: your driver's license number and often your date of birth or postal code.

If you don't know which province to contact, check the back of your physical license — it shows which province issued it. If you've moved provinces since you got your license, you may need to check both the province that issued it and your current province of residence.

Key Takeaways

  • Each Canadian province and territory maintains its own driver's license records, so you must contact the specific province where your license was issued.
  • Most provinces offer online status checks through their official licensing website, which you can access with your license number and date of birth.
  • If you cannot access the online system, you can call the provincial licensing office directly or visit in person with your license and photo ID.
  • A suspension means you are not permitted to drive; a cancellation means your license is no longer valid and you must reapply to get a new one.
  • The reason for suspension (unpaid fines, medical grounds, criminal conviction) determines how long it lasts and what steps you must take to restore your license.

Online status checks in each province

Most provinces let you check your status online without calling or visiting an office. Here are the main entry points:

Ontario: Use ServiceOntario's online portal. You will need your license number and date of birth. The site shows whether your license is valid, suspended, or cancelled, and if suspended, the reason and end date.

British Columbia: Log into the ICBC website with your driver's license number and postal code. You can see your license status and any active suspensions or restrictions.

Alberta: Visit the Alberta Transportation website and use the driver's license status tool. You will need your license number and date of birth.

Manitoba: Check through the Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) website using your license number and date of birth.

Saskatchewan: Use the SGI (Saskatchewan Government Insurance) online portal with your license number and postal code.

Quebec: The Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) offers an online status check. You will need your license number and date of birth.

Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador: These provinces do not all offer online checks. Call the provincial licensing office directly or visit in person.

If you are unsure of your license number, have it with you when you call or visit. If you have lost your license, bring photo ID and proof of residence.

What suspension means and how long it lasts

A suspension is a temporary removal of your driving privilege. You cannot legally drive during a suspension, and driving while suspended carries serious penalties including fines, a longer suspension, and possible jail time.

The length of a suspension depends on the reason. Common reasons and typical lengths are:

  • Unpaid traffic fines or court-ordered fines: Usually 30 days to several months, depending on the amount owed and the province.
  • Accumulation of demerit points: Typically 3 to 12 months, depending on how many points you have and your province's threshold.
  • Impaired driving conviction: Minimum 1 year for a first offense; longer for repeat offenses.
  • Medical grounds (vision, hearing, or other health issues): Until you pass a medical assessment or provide a doctor's clearance.
  • Failure to appear in court or comply with a court order: Until you resolve the matter with the court.
  • Child support arrears: Until the arrears are paid or a payment plan is in place.

The end date of your suspension should appear in your online status check or when you call the licensing office. Some suspensions are automatic (for example, after a conviction); others require action by you or the court to lift.

Suspension versus cancellation

A suspension and a cancellation are not the same. A suspension is temporary; once the reason is resolved or the time passes, your license is restored. A cancellation means your license is no longer valid and you must reapply for a new one from the beginning.

Your license may be cancelled if you fail to renew it before it expires, if you are convicted of certain serious driving offenses, or if you do not meet medical or vision standards. Cancellation is permanent unless you go through the full reapplication process, which includes passing the written test and road test again.

Your online status check or call to the licensing office will tell you whether your license is suspended or cancelled. If it is cancelled, you will need to contact the licensing office to understand what you must do to reapply.

How to restore a suspended license

The steps to restore your license depend on why it was suspended. In most cases, you do not need to take action — the suspension straightforward ends on the date shown in your status check, and your license becomes valid again automatically.

However, some suspensions require you to take a specific step before the license is restored:

  • Unpaid fines: Pay the fine in full. Contact the court or the licensing office for payment options. Once paid, the suspension is usually lifted within a few business days.
  • Medical suspension: Obtain a medical clearance from your doctor and submit it to the licensing office. You may need to pass a medical exam or vision test.
  • Demerit points suspension: Wait out the suspension period. No action is required; your license is restored automatically when the suspension ends.
  • Impaired driving: Complete any court-ordered programs (such as an alcohol education program) and pay any fines. Some provinces also require an ignition interlock device to be installed in your vehicle before you can drive again.
  • Court order or failure to appear: Resolve the matter with the court. Contact the court directly to find out what is required.

If you are unsure what step is required, call the provincial licensing office. They can tell you exactly what you need to do and how to do it.

What to do if you cannot access the online system

If the online portal is down, you do not have internet access, or your province does not offer online checks, you can contact the licensing office by phone or in person.

Call the provincial licensing office during business hours. Have your driver's license number, date of birth, and photo ID ready. The staff member can tell you whether your license is suspended, the reason, and when it will be restored or what action you need to take.

You can also visit a ServiceOntario office (in Ontario), an ICBC office (in British Columbia), or the equivalent licensing office in your province in person. Bring your driver's license and photo ID. Wait times vary by location and time of day.

If you have lost your license or it is damaged, bring photo ID and proof of residence (such as a utility bill or lease) instead. The office can look up your status using your name and date of birth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive if my license is suspended?

No. Driving while suspended is illegal and carries serious penalties, including fines up to several thousand dollars, a longer suspension, criminal charges, and possible jail time. Even if you believe the suspension is a mistake, you must not drive until it is lifted.

How long does it take for a suspension to be lifted after I pay a fine?

Most provinces lift the suspension within 1 to 5 business days after payment is received and processed. Call the licensing office to confirm the payment was received and ask for the exact date your license will be restored. Do not assume it is lifted until you check your status again online or by phone.

What if I moved to a different province after my license was suspended?

You must still resolve the suspension in the province that issued your license. Once resolved, you can exchange your license for one issued by your new province. If you do not resolve it, the suspension will follow you — your new province will see it in the national system and will not issue you a license until it is cleared.

Can a suspension be lifted early?

In rare cases, yes. Some provinces allow you to request an early review or appeal of a suspension, particularly if you can show changed circumstances (for example, a medical suspension lifted by a doctor's clearance). Contact the licensing office or the court that ordered the suspension to ask whether an early review is possible.

What happens if I ignore a suspension and keep driving?

You can be charged with driving while suspended, which is a criminal offense in most provinces. Penalties include fines, jail time, a longer suspension, and a criminal record. If you are caught, your vehicle may be impounded and your insurance will be cancelled.