Replace a lost, stolen, or damaged licence plate

Blue licence plates

If you have blue licence plates:

• you can continue to use them
• you will receive instructions when normal services resume on how to replace your blue licence plates with the white embossed ‘Yours to Discover’ licence plates

White embossed ‘Yours to Discover’ licence plate

If you currently have white embossed licence plates, no action is required on your part.

Lost plate

If your plate has been lost you must visit a ServiceOntario centre to get a replacement.

Cost: $59

You must bring the following items:

• identification
• proof of valid insurance
• the original vehicle permit (plate and vehicle portion)
• the other plate (if applicable)
• a completed replacement declaration (police services information is not required)

If you do not have the original vehicle permit you can have it replaced at a ServiceOntario centre at an additional charge.

Stolen plate

If your plate has been stolen you must visit a ServiceOntario centre to get a replacement.

Cost: $59

You must bring the following items:

• identification
• proof of valid insurance
• the original vehicle permit (plate and vehicle portion)
• the other plate (if applicable)
• a completed replacement declaration (police services information is required – visit your local police services or if it’s a telephone or on-line report, include the occurrence number on the form)

If you do not have the original vehicle permit you can have it replaced at a ServiceOntario centre at an additional charge.

Damaged plate

If your plate has been damaged you need to visit a ServiceOntario centre to get a replacement.

Cost: $59

You must bring the following items:

• identification
• proof of valid insurance
• the original vehicle permit (plate and vehicle portion)
• the damaged plates

If you do not have the original vehicle permit you can have it replaced at a ServiceOntario centre at an additional charge.

Transfer plates

Both people must agree in writing to the plate transfer. A plate transfer declaration form is signed by both, to transfer the plate and responsibility for any fines/tolls that are incurred or charged against the plate, before or after the transfer.

Licence plates in Ontario are only transferable:

1. between family, including:
   • spouse, common-law spouse
   • mother, father, step-mother, step-father
   • son, step-son, or adopted son
   • daughter, step-daughter, or adopted daughter
   • son-in-law, daughter-in-law, father-in-law or mother-in-law
   • children and parents in a common-law relationship
2. when a personalized licence plate is ordered as gift, the plate may need to be transferred to the person receiving the plate as a gift. A form is included with the plates for this purpose.

Personalized plates

You will receive a set of regular plates at no charge to use on your vehicle until your personalized plates are replaced. You must wait 6 months before the stolen personalized plates can be replaced.

When the personalized plates arrive, bring the following items to a ServiceOntario centre:

• your interim plates
• the letter you received with the replacement personalized plates
• the original vehicle and plate portions of the permit for the interim plates
• the name of your insurance company and your policy number

You will need to complete and sign the application for registration form (available at ServiceOntario).

Replace a personalized plate: $100.70
Replace a graphic licence plate: $54.60

If you do not have the original vehicle permit you can have it replaced at a ServiceOntario centre at an additional charge.

Peeling or bubbling lamination

If the lamination on your plate(s) is peeling or bubbling please visit a ServiceOntario centre to get them replaced.

You must bring both plates in for replacement, even if only one has peeling or bubbling. You may have noticed already:

• visible signs of peeling – making the numbers and/or letters hard to read
• bubbling around the numbers and/or letters, making them hard to read
• paint is worn off in some or all areas

Bring the two plates, along with the following items, to the nearest ServiceOntario centre:

• identification (e.g. driver’s licence)
• proof of valid insurance from an insurance provider licensed in Ontario
• the original vehicle permit (plate and vehicle portions)

If you do not have the original vehicle permit you can have it replaced at a ServiceOntario centre at an additional charge.

Manufacturer’s warranty

Ontario licence plates are guaranteed by the manufacturer for up to five years from the date of purchase.

ServiceOntario will replace licence plates at no charge that are deemed to be defective if they are returned to a ServiceOntario Centre within 5 years of the purchase date. Otherwise, a $59 replacement fee would apply.

NOTE: The images below are EXAMPLES of what a delaminated licence plate looks like.