There are several reasons why someone would want to check their driving record. They may need it for a job, for insurance purposes, to confirm their address in court, or simply because they are curious. In Ontario, there are different kinds of driving records, and they can be obtained in several ways. This article will help you to understand your Ontario driving record and how you can check it.
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Ontario Driving Record vs. Driver’s Abstract
A driver’s abstract is a record of your driving history. This term generally refers to the 3-year driver’s record, the 5-year driver’s record, the extended driver’s record, or the complete driver’s record.
A driving record is broader, referring to any record you can get from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation about your driving history or about your driving information, including confirming driver’s education courses.
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Types Of Driving Records In Ontario
Depending on what type of driving record you order, you’ll get different information.
- 3-Year Driver’s Record: This document is a record of your driving history from the past three years.
- 5-Year Driver’s Record: This document is a record of your driving history from the past five years.
- Driver’s License History: This document confirms your address, any suspensions, and any driver’s education courses.
- Extended Driver’s Record: This document provides information about your long-term driving history.
- Complete Driver’s Record: This document has information about your entire driving history, driver identification details, convictions under the Criminal Code of Canada and the Highway Traffic Act, suspensions, reinstatements, collisions, demerit points, and a list of your residential addresses on record.
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When Will You Need Each Of These Driving Records?
You will need different kinds of driving records depending on what you need them for.
| Type Of Driving Record | Reason Needed |
| 3-year Driver’s Record | – Driving outside the country – Driving a company vehicle |
| 5-year Driver’s Record | For insurance companies to see your long-term driving history |
| Driver’s License History | Used to confirm a driver’s education course, a driver’s address, or any suspensions |
| Extended Driver’s Record | – Used as a supporting document in court – A court will use it as a supporting document in a proceeding |
| Complete Driver’s Record | Needed for legal purposes |
How To Choose Between A Certified And Uncertified Driving Record
The difference between a certified and an uncertified driving record is that a certified record has an embossed seal from the Ministry of Transportation. A certified record with such a seal is usually only required for legal purposes, meaning that an uncertified record is suitable for most people’s needs. Any of Ontario’s driving records can either be certified or uncertified.
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Steps On How To Get Your Driving Record In Ontario
First, you must choose the kind of driving record you want. This record can be a 3-year driver’s record, a 5-year driver’s record, a complete driver’s record, an extended driver’s record, or a driver’s license history.
Next, you must choose between a certified and an uncertified driving record. Your choice will be based on why you need the driving record. Certified records are usually only required for legal reasons, but if you are unsure what kind of record you need it wouldn’t hurt to get a certified record. It’s better to get something you don’t need than to need something you don’t have.
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Finally, you must order your driving record. There’s a different process and delivery time based on how you order it. If you order your record in person, you must go to a ServiceOntario location. You can pay with cash, debit, VISA, Mastercard, certified cheque, or money order. If you order an uncertified record, you will get it immediately. If you order a certified record, it will take up to 15 business days to process, and you will receive it in the mail.
If you order your driving record by mail or fax, you must fill out a record search application form and send it in by mail or fax. You can pay with VISA, Mastercard, personal cheque, or money order. Orders for both uncertified records and certified records take up to 15 business days to process, and you will receive your record in the mail.
To order your driving record online, you must visit the Ontario Ministry of Transportation website. There are separate order forms for uncertified and certified driver’s records. You can pay with VISA or Mastercard. Orders for both uncertified records and certified records take up to 15 business days to process, and you will receive your record in the mail. You will not receive a digital version of your record.
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Cost Of Getting Your Driving Record In Ontario
You can get an uncertified driving record for $12, or a certified driving record for $18.
Getting your driving records can be done in person, online, by mail, or by fax. You can pay for your driving records with cash, debit, VISA, Mastercard, certified cheque, personal cheque, or money order.
Ontario Driving Record FAQs
Who can see, order, and access my driving record?
What documents do I need to get my driving record?
Can I get my Ontario driving record for free?
Do tickets go on your driving record?
Do car accidents show up on your driving record?
Bottom Line
There are several kinds of personal driving records that you can access in Ontario. These documents have different kinds of information, including collision history and demerit points, and are used for different purposes, such as to confirm your driver’s history or to be used as supporting evidence in court. Driving records can either be uncertified or certified, meaning that they have an embossed seal from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. Certified documents are used for legal purposes, such as in court, but uncertified documents are sufficient for most people.
