The province is proceeding with the elimination of mailing paper renewal notices.
The government is instead switching to digital reminders to ensure people don’t miss their renewal deadlines.
The province estimates the move will save up to $29 million over five years in postage and mailing costs that can be re-invested into critical programs, services and education.
Officials stress the move will benefit the environment by saving roughly 80 million pieces of paper, about 16,000 boxes or 363 tonnes, over five years.
Those with driver’s licence, licence plate stickers, health cards and other documentation that expired on or after March 1, 2020, you will receive one final letter in the mail letting you know that’s it’s time to renew.
For information on how you can sign-up for a text, email, or phone call reminder, visit Digital reminder system
Ontarians can also sign up for reminders by automated voice calls or text messages by calling toll free at 1-800-267-8097.
Individuals who fall within the following exemptions will continue to get renewal notices in the mail for products expiring on or after March 1, 2022.
Exemptions for driver’s licence holders and vehicle owners
Paper renewal notices for driver’s licence holders and vehicle owners will continue for:
Individuals aged 70 years and older.
Individuals with a driver’s licence class A, B, C, D, E, or F.
Individuals with endorsements that require additional testing (i.e airbrake).
Individuals who have a licence plate sticker associated with a company/fleet vehicle.
Individuals who have jointly owned vehicles.
Heavy Commercial Vehicles.
Exemptions for health card holders
Paper renewal notices for health card holders will continue for:
Individuals age 16 and under.
Individuals age 70 and above.
Individuals living in remote locations or isolated communities (e.g. no in-person ServiceOntario locations are available) and where renewals are done by mail with the assistance of nursing stations.
Individuals residing in a publicly funded long-term care facility where renewals are done via fax or by mail.
Individuals with a health card that has a definite end date, temporary foreign workers, homeless, foreign clergy, migrant farm workers, temporary resident permit holders, applicant for permanent resident, applicant for citizenship, or where coverage has otherwise been ended where renewals are done at public offices only and need to provide additional documents in order to renew.
