Getting Your Suspended Ontario Driver's License Back

What you need to do to restore your license after suspension

To get your suspended Ontario driver's license back, you must first find out why it was suspended — the steps you take depend entirely on the reason. ServiceOntario and the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) handle most suspensions, but some come from the courts, the Registrar of Motor Vehicles, or your insurance company. You cannot straightforward wait out the suspension period; you must take specific action to have it lifted.

The most common suspensions in Ontario are for unpaid fines, failure to pay child support, failure to appear in court, driving with an invalid license, accumulating too many demerit points, or medical reasons. Each has its own removal process, timeline, and cost. Some suspensions are automatic once you meet the condition (like paying a fine); others require you to contact the MTO or a court directly.

Key Takeaways

You must contact the MTO or the body that suspended your license to find out the exact reason and what action removes it.
Suspensions for unpaid fines, child support, or court fines require payment to the correct government body before the MTO will lift the suspension.
Demerit point suspensions require you to serve the suspension period, then contact the MTO to request reinstatement once the period ends.
Medical suspensions require a doctor's report or specialist assessment sent directly to the MTO before your license can be restored.
You cannot drive legally while suspended, even with a valid license in your wallet — driving under suspension carries criminal charges and a mandatory minimum fine of $500.

Finding out why your license was suspended

The MTO sends a suspension notice by mail to the address on file with your license. If you did not receive one, or if you have lost it, contact the MTO directly at 416-235-2999 (Toronto area) or 1-800-387-3445 (toll-free). Have your driver's license number and date of birth ready. The MTO will tell you the suspension code, the date it took effect, and what action is required to lift it.

If you believe the suspension was issued in error — for example, you paid a fine but the MTO has no record — ask the MTO to verify the status before you take further steps. Some suspensions are lifted automatically once the underlying issue is resolved (like a fine payment clearing the system), but this can take 5 to 10 business days. Do not assume the suspension is gone until you receive written confirmation from the MTO.

Suspensions for unpaid fines or court-ordered debts

If your license was suspended because of an unpaid fine, unpaid child support, or an unpaid court-ordered debt, you must pay the full amount owed to the correct body. Fines go to the court that issued them; child support arrears go to the Family Responsibility Office (FRO); and other court debts go to the court that ordered them. The MTO does not collect these payments — it only lifts the suspension once the debt is cleared.

Contact the court, the FRO, or the collection agency listed on your notice to confirm the exact amount owing and the payment methods they accept. Once you have paid, ask for written confirmation of payment. Send this confirmation to the MTO or wait 5 to 10 business days for the payment to clear the system. You can then contact the MTO to confirm the suspension has been lifted, or request a new license if you need one when ready.

Suspensions for demerit points or driving record violations

If your license was suspended because you accumulated too many demerit points (15 or more in a two-year period for a Class G license), you must serve the suspension period. The length depends on how many points you had: 15 to 24 points means a 30-day suspension; 25 to 34 points means a 60-day suspension; 35 or more points means a 120-day suspension. You cannot shorten this period or have it waived.

Once the suspension period has ended, contact the MTO to request reinstatement. You do not need to take a test or pay a fee — the MTO will straightforward restore your license. However, the demerit points remain on your record for two years from the date of the conviction, so your insurance rates may still be affected. If you accumulate 15 or more points again within two years, you will face another suspension.

Suspensions for medical reasons

The MTO can suspend your license if a doctor reports a medical condition that makes driving unsafe, or if you fail to report a condition you are required to disclose (such as epilepsy, diabetes, or a heart condition). To have the suspension lifted, you must provide medical documentation from your doctor or a specialist stating that the condition no longer affects your ability to drive safely.

Send the medical report directly to the MTO's Medical Review Unit at the address on your suspension notice. The MTO will review it and contact you with a decision. In some cases, the MTO may require an in-person medical examination or a driving assessment before reinstating your license. This process can take 4 to 8 weeks. If the MTO denies your request, you have the right to request a review by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles.

Suspensions from the courts or police

If your license was suspended by a court as part of a criminal or provincial offense conviction, you must follow the court's order. Some court-ordered suspensions are automatic (you serve the period and the suspension ends); others require you to meet conditions set by the judge, such as completing a driver improvement course or paying a fine. Check your court documents or contact the court that issued the suspension to find out what you must do.

If your license was suspended by police at the roadside (usually for impaired driving or refusing a breath test), the suspension is typically 90 days for a first offense. After the suspension period ends, you can request reinstatement from the MTO. However, if you were charged with a criminal offense, the court may impose an additional suspension on top of the police suspension. Do not assume the suspension is over until you have confirmation from both the police and the court.

Reinstating your license after the suspension ends

Once you have met the condition for lifting the suspension (paid the debt, served the period, or submitted medical documentation), contact the MTO to confirm the suspension has been removed. You can do this by phone at 416-235-2999 or 1-800-387-3445, or in person at a ServiceOntario office. Have your driver's license number and date of birth ready.

If the suspension has been lifted, you can continue to drive with your existing license — no new license is issued unless yours has expired or been damaged. If you need a replacement license for any reason, you can order one online through ServiceOntario or in person at a ServiceOntario office. There is no fee to reinstate a suspended license, but replacement licenses cost $50 for a five-year license or $90 for an eight-year license.

What happens if you drive while suspended

Driving while your license is suspended is a criminal offense in Ontario. If you are caught, you face a mandatory minimum fine of $500 and a maximum fine of $50,000, plus possible jail time. Your vehicle can be impounded for 14 days, and you will face additional charges for driving without a valid license. A conviction for driving under suspension will add 6 demerit points to your record and likely result in another suspension.

Even if you have a valid license in your wallet, if the MTO has suspended it, you are not legally permitted to drive. The suspension is recorded in the MTO's system and will show up if you are pulled over. Do not drive until you have received written confirmation from the MTO that the suspension has been lifted.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for the MTO to lift a suspension after I pay a fine?

Once the court or collection agency receives your payment, it typically takes 5 to 10 business days for the information to reach the MTO and for the suspension to be removed from the system. You can call the MTO after this period to confirm the suspension has been lifted. Do not drive until you have received confirmation.

Can I get a work license while my license is suspended?

Ontario does not issue work licenses or restricted licenses for suspended drivers. You cannot drive for any reason while suspended, including for work. The only exception is if a court grants you a conditional discharge or a judge orders a conditional license, which is rare and requires a court appearance.

What if I was suspended for demerit points but I think some of them were issued unfairly?

You cannot challenge demerit points after they have been added to your record unless you successfully appeal the original conviction in court. If you were convicted of a traffic offense and believe the conviction was wrong, you must appeal through the court system, not the MTO. This is a separate legal process from the suspension itself.

Do I have to pay a fee to get my license back after suspension?

There is no fee to have a suspension lifted by the MTO. However, you may have to pay the underlying debt (fine, child support, court order) that caused the suspension. If you need a replacement license, that costs $50 or $90 depending on the validity period you choose.

Can I request a hearing to challenge my suspension?

You can request a review by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles if your suspension was for medical reasons and you disagree with the MTO's decision. For other suspensions, you must challenge the underlying conviction or debt through the court system, not the MTO. Contact the court or the Registrar's office for information about the review process.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.