The Ontario government is planning to target driving license fraud by tightening eligibility requirements.
Legislation introduced in Queen’s Park on Oct. 23 is proposing changes that verify residency and work eligibility in Canada for commercial driver’s license applicants. It also seeks to add a mandatory minimum waiting period between obtaining a Class G and Class A driver’s license.
The proposed legislation was tucked into the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025, that includes building homes faster and not allowing municipalities to reduce vehicle lanes when installing new bicycle lanes.
The act states that the ID requirements will align with other Canadian jurisdictions and verify an applicant’s full legal name, date of birth, residency, legal presence in Canada, and photograph.
Currently, all holders of Ontario driver’s licenses (Classes A to M), Ontario photo cards (OPCs) and registrant identification numbers (RINs) must be Ontario residents, legally authorized to be in Canada, and provide ID verifying their legal name and date of birth. Applicants must provide a residential address but are not currently required to verify residency or legal status.
The act seeks to “clarify and require new applicants for all driver’s license classes, OPC and RIN holders to provide residency and legal presence verification.”
“This initiative aligns with key priorities, enhancing public safety, preventing fraud, ensuring regulatory compliance, and addressing long-standing stakeholder concerns about the integrity of the driver’s licensing system.”
At present, Ontario requires that Class A applicants be at least 18 years old and hold a valid full Class G or higher Ontario driver’s license, with no mandatory waiting period.
The act says that MTO will introduce a mandatory minimum waiting period between obtaining a Class G driver’s license and a Class A license. “Under this change, applicants will need to hold a Class G or higher license for a certain period prior to attempting the Class A road test, ensuring drivers gain essential experience and improving overall commercial road safety. Applicants will still be able to complete the medical and vision requirements, attempt the knowledge test and take Class A entry-level training during the waiting period.”
The act does not state the length of the mandatory minimum waiting period.
Ontario is also seeking to beef up requirements for drivers from non-reciprocal jurisdictions.
Presently, non-reciprocal applicants can receive full credit for foreign driving experience by submitting a foreign driver’s license and authentication document to DriveTest or Service Ontario at College Park.
The act says that the proposed changes will improve integrity and consistency by restricting experience credit at 12 months and requiring all non-reciprocal applicants to complete both G2 and G road tests.
Applicants with verified experience can take the G2 test immediately and begin driving independently if successful but must wait at least 12 months before attempting the G test.
Applicants with 12 months or less experience will receive credit for verified experience.
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