If you’re a landlord in Ontario and in the middle of screening potential tenants, one thing that can’t be skipped is verifying the documents your applicants submit. A key part of this is making sure their photo ID checks out. 

Having a photo ID on file is useful for many reasons, and if you’ve got an Ontario Driver’s License from your applicant, the Ontario Driver’s License Check tool makes it easy to confirm its validity.

This tool is run by the Ontario government, it’s free to use, and it’s pretty straightforward! I even tried it with my own driver’s license to see how it works.

Verifying an Ontario Driver’s License

Here’s a quick rundown of how to use the Ontario Driver’s License Check tool. I did this with my own license, and the whole process took just a few minutes. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Head over to Ontario’s Driver’s License Check website.
2. Click on “Check Driver’s License Status”.
3. Input the driver’s license number into the fields provided and click “Next”.
4. A confirmation page will pop up, where you’ll fill in any other necessary fields. If you want a copy of the result sent to your email, you can put in your email address here:

5. The results page will look something like this:

After completing the form, you’ll see a results page with your applicant’s license status. If you requested an email copy, you should receive it within about 30 minutes—mine came through super quickly.

Understanding the Results

My license showed up as valid. Your check may yield different results. Here is what each of them mean:

Valid

The driver’s licence is not suspended, cancelled or expired. The driver is allowed to operate the type of vehicle for which they are licensed.

Not Valid

The driver's licence is suspended, cancelled, expired or a combination thereof. The driver cannot operate any vehicle.

Not Found

Not a recognized Ontario driver's licence number,

Valid with Ignition Interlock

The driver must only operate vehicles equipped with an approved Ignition Interlock device. This is a breath-testing device connected to the engine ignition system that prevents the operation of a vehicle when the driver's blood alcohol level is above a certain limit.

Valid with W Code

The driver has a "W" Code condition on their licence. Drivers with a "W" Code may not operate a commercial vehicle in the United States due to a specific medical condition.

Key Points to Remember

• It’s free and takes less than 5 minutes.
• It’s simple: The tool is easy to use and doesn’t require any setup or payment.
• It’s reassuring: Knowing your tenant’s ID is valid is a quick and easy way to add a layer of security to your screening process.

Final Thoughts

Tenant screening is an important part of protecting your property and ensuring you’re renting to reliable individuals. With the Ontario Driver’s License Check tool, you can make sure your tenant’s ID is valid without much hassle, so you can feel a bit more confident in your decision. A few minutes spent on this now could save you a lot of trouble down the road!

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