Ontario is taking decisive steps to combat driver’s license fraud by tightening eligibility rules and introducing new verification measures. Legislation unveiled at Queen’s Park on October 23 proposes mandatory residency and legal status checks for all commercial driver’s license applicants. The bill also calls for a minimum waiting period between obtaining a Class G license and advancing to a Class A license.
The proposed measures are part of the broader Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025, which also focuses on accelerating housing development and restricting municipalities from reducing vehicle lanes when installing new bicycle lanes.
Under the new framework, identification requirements will be aligned with other Canadian jurisdictions. Applicants will need to verify their full legal name, date of birth, residency, legal presence in Canada, and provide a photograph. While Ontario currently requires proof of legal authorization in Canada for all driver’s license holders, photo card users, and registrants, applicants are not mandated to confirm residency or legal status. The legislation aims to close this gap by clarifying that new applicants must provide both 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,” the act states.
For Class A licenses, Ontario presently requires applicants to be at least 18 and hold a valid Class G or higher license, with no minimum waiting period. The new legislation mandates a waiting period, allowing applicants to gain essential driving experience before attempting the Class A road test. During this period, they may complete medical and vision tests, take the knowledge exam, and participate in entry-level training. The specific duration of the waiting period has not yet been defined.
The act also targets drivers from non-reciprocal jurisdictions. Previously, foreign license holders could receive full credit for driving experience by submitting documentation to DriveTest or ServiceOntario. Under the proposed changes, experience credit will be capped at 12 months. Non-reciprocal applicants must complete both G2 and G road tests, while verified experience allows immediate G2 testing and independent driving, with a 12-month wait before the G test.
