How To Apply for a Licence Plate Validation (Sticker) Refund

Ontario licence plate refunds are calculated on full-unexpired months of validation, less a $5.00 administration fee. A refund is calculated from the day the plates are turned in to the ministry to the day when the plate sticker expires.

For passenger vehicles, motorcycles, motor assisted bicycles, motorized snow vehicles, dealer plates and Personal Use Only (PUO) commercial vehicles, a refund or credit may be given if the remaining validation on the vehicle licence plates is more than three months. Only a credit will be given if the unused period of validation is three months or less. A $5 administration fee will not be deducted when the refund amount is a credit. This credit can then be used to pay for vehicle licensing transactions such as renewal of another plate registered to the same owner. If you wish to use a credit on a vehicle licensing transaction, tell the Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office that you would like to use your credit before they start the licensing transaction. You will be required to provide the plate number that has the credit.

Heavy vehicles may receive a refund if the remaining validation is three months or less. Heavy vehicles include: heavy commercial vehicle (over 3,000 kg), bus, school bus, farm vehicle, and light (B3K) commercial vehicles.

Note:
Plate owners who will no longer be driving in Ontario may apply for a plate validation refund even if there are three months or less plate validation remaining. An administration fee of $5 to process the refund will apply.

Moving Out of Ontario?

If you have moved to another province, state or country, and wish to apply for a refund on your plate validation (sticker), you need to provide the ministry with the following:

• your Ontario licence plates with the corresponding plate permit (right portion of your vehicle permit);
• a copy of the Notice of Surrender form or written confirmation from that jurisdiction if the plates were surrendered when the vehicle was registered there;
• a copy of your out-of-province vehicle permit showing the date when the vehicle was registered in the other jurisdiction; and
• a signed letter requesting a refund stating the licence plate number and the address to which the refund should be mailed.

Please mail the requested items to:

ServiceOntario
Financial Services Delivery Branch
40 Elm Street, Suite 41A
Sudbury, ON  P3C 1S8

Still in Ontario?

If you are still residing in Ontario, take the following items to a Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office:

• your licence plates; and
• the corresponding plate permit (right portion of your vehicle permit).

For personalized plates, if you choose to keep your plates, the validation (sticker) will be removed and the plates will be returned to you.

Customer Service Options

Below are the service channels where you can purchase/order this service. Click on the underlined titles below for an address/location.