Ontarians face higher driver's licence and licence plate sticker fees

Ontario residents will be paying more for new driver's licences, licence renewals and licence plate renewal stickers starting Thursday.

The Ontario transportation ministry said in a news release that the fee hikes are necessary to help maintain roads, bridges and highways across the province.

The cost of an original driver's licence and of renewing a driver's licence, including the driver licensing fee as part of the enhanced driver's licence, will increase from $81.50 to $90.

The cost for renewing a licence plate in southern Ontario will increase from $108 to $120. The cost of renewing a licence plate in northern Ontario wil rise from $54 to $60.

"Updated fees help maintain the province's transportation infrastructure and provide resources to help keep Ontario's roads safe," the ministry said.

Other fee increases are scheduled to come into effect on Jan. 1, 2017.

The ministry said the government has spent over $25 billion to design, repair and expand provincial highways and bridges across the province since 2003.

There are more than 12 million vehicles registered in Ontario.