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Toronto · Automotive & driving

Licences and permits to open a driving school in Toronto

We found four licences, permits and registrations that can apply when you open a driving school in Toronto, starting with the Driving School Operator (In-Vehicle Training) licence. One of them applies only in certain situations, noted on each item. They are handled by two different bodies: Municipal Licensing & Standards and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.

One item is provincial rather than municipal — the Provincial Driving School Instructor Licence (MTO) — so expect to deal with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation as well as the City. Published application-plus-licence totals on these pages range from $521.33 to $563.48. One has no fee listed on the page we reviewed.

The notes mention proof of $2,000,000 in liability insurance and a certificate or exam; those steps depend on other people's schedules, so they are worth starting early.

Requirements
4
Issuers
2
Provincial
1
Last verified
Oct 31, 2026

What you'll need

Last verified:

  1. 01Driving School Operator (In-Vehicle Training) licence

    Municipal

    Issued by: City of Toronto — Municipal Licensing & Standards

    Required to operate a driving school with in-vehicle instruction; needs $2,000,000 liability insurance with an OEF/OPCF 6D endorsement and a recent MTO Safety Standards Certificate.

    Fees as published

    • Application fee: $178.51
    • Licence fee: $384.97
    • Total fee (Application fee + Licence fee): $563.48
    • Renewal fee: $389.32 (as listed on toronto.ca, page modified June 3, 2026)
    View on toronto.ca — City of Toronto page(opens in a new tab)

    Last verified:

  2. 02Driving School Operator (In-Class Training Only) licence

    If applicable Municipal

    Issued by: City of Toronto — Municipal Licensing & Standards

    Required instead for a driving school that offers in-class instruction only.

    Fees as published

    • Application fee: $233.02
    • Licence fee: $288.31
    • Total fee (Application fee + Licence fee): $521.33
    • Renewal fee: $350.51 (as listed on toronto.ca, page modified June 3, 2026)
    View on toronto.ca — City of Toronto page(opens in a new tab)

    Last verified:

  3. 03Driving School Instructor licence (instructor who owns vehicle)

    Municipal

    Issued by: City of Toronto — Municipal Licensing & Standards

    Every individual giving in-vehicle instruction in a vehicle they own needs this licence (a separate instructor licence applies to instructors who do not own the vehicle).

    Fees as published

    • Application fee: $178.51
    • Licence fee: $384.97
    • Total fee (Application fee + Licence fee): $563.48
    • Renewal fee: $389.32 (as listed on toronto.ca, page modified June 3, 2026)
    View on toronto.ca — City of Toronto page(opens in a new tab)

    Last verified:

  4. 04Provincial Driving School Instructor Licence (MTO)

    Provincial

    Issued by: Ontario Ministry of Transportation

    A copy of the provincial driving instructor licence issued by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation must be submitted with the City instructor licence application.

    No fee published on the source page.

    View on toronto.ca — City of Toronto page(opens in a new tab)

    Last verified:

This is general guidance, not legal advice. Confirm requirements with the municipality before opening.

FAQ

Driving School in Toronto: common questions

What licences do I need to open a driving school in Toronto?
Our list has four items: Driving School Operator (In-Vehicle Training) licence, Driving School Operator (In-Class Training Only) licence, Driving School Instructor licence (instructor who owns vehicle) and Provincial Driving School Instructor Licence (MTO). Items marked "if" or "optional" apply only in certain situations — the notes explain when. Confirm with the City of Toronto before opening.
How much do the licences cost to open a driving school in Toronto?
Published fees: Driving School Operator (In-Vehicle Training) licence: Application fee: $178.51; Licence fee: $384.97; Total fee (Application fee + Licence fee): $563.48; Renewal fee: $389.32 (as listed on toronto.ca, page modified June 3, 2026) Driving School Operator (In-Class Training Only) licence: Application fee: $233.02; Licence fee: $288.31; Total fee (Application fee + Licence fee): $521.33; Renewal fee: $350.51 (as listed on toronto.ca, page modified June 3, 2026) Driving School Instructor licence (instructor who owns vehicle): Application fee: $178.51; Licence fee: $384.97; Total fee (Application fee + Licence fee): $563.48; Renewal fee: $389.32 (as listed on toronto.ca, page modified June 3, 2026). Fees change; check the linked page for the current amount.
Who issues these licences and permits?
City of Toronto — Municipal Licensing & Standards (Driving School Operator (In-Vehicle Training) licence, Driving School Operator (In-Class Training Only) licence and Driving School Instructor licence (instructor who owns vehicle)); Ontario Ministry of Transportation (Provincial Driving School Instructor Licence (MTO)).
Do I need anything from the Province of Ontario?
Yes. Provincial Driving School Instructor Licence (MTO) (the Ontario Ministry of Transportation) is provincial. The City's pages reference it; apply with the provincial body directly.
How current is this information?
Each item was last checked against the linked page on October 31, 2026. Rules and fees change, so open the linked page and confirm with the issuer before you apply. This is general guidance, not legal advice.

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Next steps

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