Toronto: The validity period of driving products, services and health cards are being extended by the provincial ministries of Transportation, Health and Government and Consumer Services, and ServiceOntario.
These changes reduce the need for in-person visits to ServiceOntario, International Registration Plan offices and DriveTest centres during the Covid-19 outbreak, helping to promote social distancing and contain the spread of the virus, said a Ministry of Transportation media release.
These new regulations include:
- Extensions for driver licences
- Licence plate validation
- Ontario Photo Cards
- Commercial Vehicle Operator Registration certificates, among others
- Expiring and expired health cards will continue to provide access to health services
The Ministry of Transportation is also automatically extending the due dates for medical or vision reports, which both reduces the need for in-person visits, but also ensures that patients do not need to visit their doctors, helping the health system to focus on containing Covid-19.
“We have a responsibility to Ontarians to ensure that we take every possible step to enable social distancing and stop the spread of Covid-19,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “By implementing these additional measures, Ontarians can avoid putting themselves at risk and will continue to have access to the services that they need, when they need them.”
This extension will be in place until such time that, based on the advice of Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health and public health officials, the current situation improves.
“We’re working with all partners across the system to do everything we can to contain this virus and ensure that the system is prepared to respond to any scenario,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation. “These changes will help relieve the burden already faced by Ontarians and businesses by providing more time to renew their licences and permits without being penalized, while also reducing the need for in-person visits.”
The Ministry of Transportation will continue to deliver time-critical services, including Motor Vehicle Inspection Station Stock orders and Single-Trip Oversize/Overweight permits.
“We urge our customers not to visit a ServiceOntario centre unless absolutely necessary,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Government and Consumer Services. “We encourage people to complete transactions online or use the extended validation period, and to follow the advice of our medical professions and stay at home.”
Quick Facts
- The public can visit ServiceOntario.ca for a full list of products and services that are affected by this change.
- More than 40 services are already available online – visit ServiceOntario.ca/services for more detail.
- There is no vaccine available to protect against the 2019 novel coronavirus, but there are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses. To find out more visit Ontario’s website.