Premier Doug Ford puts stop to driver’s licence fee hike

Thestar.com
August 22, 2018
Rob Ferguson

Motorists are getting a break as Doug Ford’s new Progressive Conservative government slams the brakes on fee increases slated to kick in Sept. 1 for driver’s licences and related knowledge and road tests.

The move will keep the cost of a new driver’s licence or five-year renewal at $90 instead of raising it to $97, but it will cost the provincial treasury $1.6 million in lost revenues for the final seven months of the fiscal year.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says drivers are tired of fee increases when it comes to renewing their licence or taking a driving test. The cost of a new licence or a five-year renewal will stay at $90 come Sept. 1.

“People are fed up with paying more and more every time they need to renew their licence or take a driving test,” Ford said in a statement with Transportation Minister John Yakabuski.

The other fee increases of between 50 cents and $3.50 had been scheduled by the previous Liberal government to keep pace with the rising cost of providing the services.

While Ford promised frequently in the June 7 election campaign to put money back in the pockets of taxpayers, New Democrat Leader Andrea Horwath warned that his promised $6 billion in unspecified spending cuts will lead to reduced government services.

Ford’s fee freeze includes knowledge tests for various classes of driver’s licences, driving instructor and air brake licences, as well as road tests.

He has also promised a cut of 10 cents a litre on the price of gasoline but has not yet put that relief in place. It will cost the treasury $1.2 billion a year when fully implemented.