How to learn about your license is suspended right now
The fastest way to check your license status is through your province's driver licensing authority website. Each province runs its own system, so you go to the one where your license was issued. Most provinces let you check online without logging in — you enter your license number, date of birth, and sometimes your postal code, and the system tells you when ready whether your license is valid, suspended, or cancelled.
If you cannot access the online tool or prefer to speak to someone, you can call your provincial licensing office directly. They will ask for your license number and personal details to confirm your identity, then tell you your status over the phone. This takes a few minutes and costs nothing.
A third option is to visit a Service Ontario office (in Ontario), a registry office (in Alberta or British Columbia), or the equivalent licensing centre in your province in person. Bring your license and photo ID. Staff can print your driving record on the spot, which shows your current status and any suspensions or restrictions.
Key Takeaways
- Each Canadian province manages its own license suspension system, so you check through the licensing authority in the province that issued your license.
- Most provinces offer a free online check using your license number and date of birth, with results in seconds.
- If you cannot use the online tool, you can call your provincial licensing office or visit a registry or Service office in person.
- A suspension means you are not legally allowed to drive; driving while suspended carries criminal penalties and higher insurance costs.
- The reason for suspension (unpaid fines, medical grounds, criminal conviction) determines how long it lasts and what you must do to get your license back.
Where to check in each province
In Ontario, use the ServiceOntario website or call 1-800-387-3445. You can also visit any Service Ontario office. In British Columbia, check through the ICBC (Insurance Corporation of British Columbia) website or call 1-800-665-2800. In Alberta, use the Alberta 511 website or visit a registry office.
In Quebec, the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) runs the system; check their website or call 1-800-361-7623. In Manitoba, contact Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) online or by phone at 1-877-627-6237. In Saskatchewan, use the SGI (Saskatchewan Government Insurance) website or call 1-800-667-8015.
In Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador, contact your provincial Department of Transportation or the equivalent licensing body — each has its own website and phone line. In Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut, contact your territorial government's motor vehicle office.
What information you will need to provide
To check your status online, have your driver's license number ready. You will also need your date of birth and, in some provinces, your postal code or the last four digits of your social insurance number. The system uses these details to confirm your identity without requiring a login.
If you are calling or visiting in person, bring the same information plus a piece of photo ID (your license itself works if it is not expired). If you have lost your license number, you can still call and provide your full name, date of birth, and address, though the process takes longer.
Why your license might be suspended
The most common reason is unpaid traffic fines or court-ordered fines. If you do not pay by the important date, the licensing authority suspends your license automatically. Another frequent cause is accumulating too many demerit points — each province has a threshold (usually 15 points in Ontario, for example), and once you hit it, your license is suspended for a set period.
Medical suspensions happen when a doctor reports that you are unfit to drive due to illness, injury, or medication. Criminal convictions related to driving — impaired driving, dangerous operation, hit-and-run — result in mandatory suspensions set by the court. Some provinces also suspend licenses for failure to pay child support or other court-ordered payments unrelated to driving.
Administrative suspensions can occur if you fail to renew your license on time, do not respond to a licensing authority notice, or do not complete a required medical or vision test. Insurance-related suspensions (for driving without insurance or allowing your insurance to lapse) happen in some provinces.
How long a suspension lasts
The length depends on the reason. Demerit point suspensions are usually 30 days for a first suspension, longer for repeat offences. Unpaid fine suspensions last until you pay the fine plus any reinstatement fee. Medical suspensions can last weeks to months, depending on when you are cleared to drive again.
Criminal convictions carry court-ordered suspensions that range from one year to a lifetime ban, depending on the offence and whether it is a first or repeat conviction. Some suspensions are indefinite until you take specific action — such as completing a remedial driving course or passing a medical reassessment.
What to do if your license is suspended
First, find out the exact reason by checking your status or calling your provincial licensing office. They will tell you what caused the suspension and what you need to do to lift it. Keep this information — you will need it to take the next step.
If the suspension is due to unpaid fines, contact the court or the fine collection agency listed in your notice and pay what you owe. Once paid, contact your licensing office to request reinstatement. Some provinces charge a reinstatement fee (typically $50 to $150) on top of the fine.
If the suspension is due to demerit points, you straightforward wait out the suspension period. On the date it ends, your license is automatically reinstated — you do not need to do anything. If it is a medical suspension, you will need a doctor's letter confirming you are fit to drive, which you submit to your licensing authority.
For criminal convictions, follow the court's order exactly. This might mean waiting a set period, completing a remedial program, or passing a medical or psychological assessment. Contact your licensing office to confirm what is required in your case.
Driving while suspended and insurance consequences
Driving with a suspended license is a criminal offence in Canada. You face fines (usually $500 to $1,000 or more), a jail sentence, or both. Your vehicle can be impounded, and you will face additional charges if you cause an accident while driving suspended.
If you are caught driving suspended and you cause a collision, your insurance will almost certainly deny your claim, leaving you personally liable for all damages. Even if you are not in an accident, a suspended driving conviction will stay on your record and make you uninsurable or extremely expensive to insure for years afterward. Some insurers will not cover you at all if you have a recent suspended driving conviction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive if my license is suspended?
No. Driving with a suspended license is a criminal offence. You are not legally allowed to operate a vehicle, and doing so can result in fines, jail time, vehicle impoundment, and a permanent mark on your driving record. If you cause an accident while suspended, your insurance will not cover it.
How long does it take to learn about my license is suspended?
Online checks give you an answer in seconds. Phone calls to your provincial licensing office usually take a few minutes once you reach someone. In-person visits to a registry or Service office typically take 10 to 20 minutes, depending on how busy the office is.
What if I disagree with the suspension?
Contact your provincial licensing authority and ask about the appeal process. Different provinces have different rules, but most allow you to request a review or hearing if you believe the suspension was issued in error. You will need to provide evidence supporting your case.
Do I have to tell my insurance company my license is suspended?
Yes. If you are insured and your license becomes suspended, you must notify your insurer. Failing to disclose a suspension can give them grounds to cancel your policy or deny a claim. Your insurance company may also find out through the provincial licensing system.
Will a suspension show up on my driving record?
Yes. Any suspension is recorded on your driving abstract and will appear if a potential employer, insurance company, or other organization requests your driving record. It stays on your record for several years, even after the suspension is lifted.