Ontario Expanding Self-Serve Online Vehicle Registration

Used car dealerships can now register vehicles and issue licence plates right from the showroom

The Ontario government is making it easier and more convenient to buy and sell vehicles. The province is expanding the online Digital Dealership Registration (DDR) system to include used cars. Now, new and used vehicle sales can be registered online by dealerships participating in DDR.

“Our government created Digital Dealership Registration to help business save time and money by making it easier to sell and purchase a vehicle in Ontario – and now used cars are included with this new, exciting expansion to the system,” said Kaleed Rasheed, Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery. “Providing self-serve vehicle registration to car dealerships is a win for businesses and a win for consumers who can drive their car right off the lot.”

Launched in March 2022, DDR was first made available for new car registrations, then for trade-ins and now, DDR enables registrations for used cars. Participating dealerships complete online registration of passenger vehicles with ServiceOntario and issue permits and licence plates immediately to the purchaser. The system provides more accurate and error-free registrations with reduced paperwork and protects the security and safety of data. No visit to a ServiceOntario centre is required, but in-person registration is still available for dealerships who choose this option.

“The Digital Dealership Registration initiative is an example of how technology can assist modern Ontario dealerships in business. Enabling car dealerships to register vehicles online and issue permits and licence plates directly to purchasers reduces paperwork, delays and red tape for dealers and consumers,” said James F. Hamilton, Interim Manager and Legal Services Director at the Used Car Dealers Association of Ontario (UCDA). “This government deserves recognition for bringing this project, with years of planning and piloting behind it, to fruition. The expansion of DDR to used vehicle dealerships, is a milestone the Used Car Dealers Association of Ontario is proud to be part of.”

“The Ontario government is shifting the Digital Dealership Registration program into high gear by expanding its services to include used vehicle transactions. Auto retailers can now save time and money when transacting used vehicle sales,” said Frank Notte, Director of Government Relations at the Motor Vehicle Retailers of Ontario (MVRO). “By eliminating paperwork and outdated processes, Ontario is cutting red tape and making the auto retail sector worthy of the digital age we live in. We are thankful Minister Rasheed is offering auto retailers more digital services to make it easier to do business and better serve Ontarians.”

“We are delighted to see the expansion of the Digital Dealership Registration initiative to include used car dealerships and their customers across Ontario,” says Maureen Harquail, CEO and Registrar of the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC). “OMVIC regulates dealerships in Ontario with a focus on consumer protection by maintaining a fair, safe and informed marketplace for motor vehicle sales. We are proud to support this initiative as it will not only make it quicker and easier for Ontarians to drive their new vehicle straight off the lot, but it will also reduce red tape and save time and money for dealerships which is a win-win.”

Quick Facts

• Since the launch of the online Digital Dealership Registration system, more than 4,200 transactions have been completed through DDR and more than 380 dealerships are registered currently, with more onboarding daily.
• More than 7,000 Ontario dealerships selling new and used passenger vehicles now have access to DDR.
• Dealership transactions account for 4.7 million of ServiceOntario’s total 58 million annual interactions.
• To participate in DDR, dealerships must be registered with Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC) and meet regulatory and other criteria.