Province extending validity of health cards and driver’s licenses

In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Province has announced it is extending the validity of health cards and driver’s licenses.

The Ministry of Transportation and Ministry of Health, in cooperation with the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services and ServiceOntario, has announced the validity period of driving products, services and health cards will be extended to prevent the need for in-person visits to ServiceOntario, International Registration Plan offices and DriveTest centres.

These new regulations will include extensions for driver licences, licence plate validation, Ontario Photo Cards, and Commercial Vehicle Operator Registration certificates, among others.

Additionally, those with expiring and expired health cards will still receive access to healthcare.

Further, the Ministry of Transportation has announced it will also be extending the due dates for medical or vision reports–which will reduce the need for in-person doctor visits, and allow doctors to focus on containing the virus.

The Ministry of Transportation will continue to provide critical services, including Motor Vehicle Inspection Station Stock orders, and Single-Trip Oversize/Overweight permits.

“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,” Christine Elliott, deputy premier and Minister of Health, said in a news release.

“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,” she continued.

These changes will remain in effect until further notice.

“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,” Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation, said in the same release.

“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,” she continued.

Cover photo courtesy of @grahamalloway’s Instagram