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Ontario|Highway Traffic ActGeneral Information 516 Getting and keeping your driver's licence Every driver in Ontario must have a valid driver's licence to legally operate a motor vehicle on a road or on other public property. Drivers must carry their licence at all times and must produce it when a police officer asks to see it. There are several things you must do to get and keep a valid driver's licence.
- Applying for a Driver's Licence
To get a licence, you should go to the nearest Ministry of Transportation Licencing Office. To apply for a driver's licence you must be 16 years of age or older. The application can be made at any Ministry of Transportation Licencing Office.
- Graduated Licencing System
Ontario has a graduated licencing system, which means that new drivers must pass two levels before they will earn full driving privileges. First, drivers will need to get their Level One permit. A Level One permit has several conditions about where and when new drivers can drive. To get a Level One permit, you must take a written knowledge test and an eye-sight test at a Licencing office. There is a $10 fee for these tests. Level One lasts between eight and 12 months, depending on whether you have taken an approved Drivers Education course.
At the end of Level One, you can take a road test. There is a $40 fee for the Level One road test. If you pass, you can enter Level Two. A Level Two permit has fewer conditions regarding where and when you can drive than a Level One permit, but it still does not give you full driving privileges. Level Two lasts for 12 months. At the end of Level Two, you take another road test. The fee for the Level Two road test is $75. If you pass, you will receive full driving privileges.
- The Demerit Point System
To keep your licence, you must not abuse your licence privileges. Ontario uses a demerit point system to monitor your driving record. If you are convicted of a traffic offence, you will usually receive several points. The number of points you receive will depend on the offence you are charged with. Any points that you receive will stay on your driving record for two years. The most points you can accumulate for a single offence is seven, for failing to remain at the scene of an accident. Fully licenced drivers will have their licence privileges suspended for 30 days if they accumulate 15 points. Level One or Level Two drivers will have their licence privileges suspended for 60 days if they accumulate 9 points.
- Renewing your licence
To keep your licence valid, you have to renew it every five years. On the back of your licence it will tell you the date it expires. There is a $50 fee to renew your licence.
Elderly people who wish to drive must meet other requirements to keep a valid driver's licence. When you reach the age of 80, you must take a written test and possibly a road test. There is a $20 fee to receive your licence, and the licence you receive will be valid for two years. People with certain medical conditions such as epilepsy, heart conditions, and fainting spells will have restrictions on their driver's licence.
You can obtain more information about how to get and keep your licence from the Ministry of Transportation or from any Licencing office. Office locations are listed in the Blue pages of your telephone book.
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