Need your Ontario driver abstract? Order it online for $45 and get it by email instantly, 24/7.
Order your driver abstract →If a new job requires driving, an employer may ask you to provide an Ontario driver abstract before you start. The timing can matter: order too early and the employer may consider the record outdated; wait too long and you could delay onboarding.
There is no single Ontario-wide rule saying every employer must accept a driver abstract for a specific number of days. The safest approach is to confirm the employer’s requirements first and then order the exact record it requests.
When should you order a driver abstract for a new job?
Order it after the employer tells you which driving record it needs and how recent the document must be. Ontario identifies the common 3-year driver record as the most popular record and one commonly used for employment reasons.
Because employers can set their own hiring requirements, avoid assuming that a record you obtained several months ago will automatically be accepted.
What does the common 3-year record contain?
Ontario says the 3-year driver record includes driver identification details, your demerit point total, active fine suspensions, and Highway Traffic Act and Criminal Code convictions, suspensions and reinstatements for the previous three years.
It does not include your residential address, beginner driver education completion or expired medical suspensions.
Ask whether the employer wants certified or uncertified
Ontario says uncertified records meet most people’s needs, while certified records include a Ministry of Transportation seal and are typically required for legal reasons. An employer can still specify what it wants, so ask before paying for a different version.
Can you get an uncertified record digitally?
Yes. Ontario currently says an uncertified 3-year driver record ordered online is delivered as a PDF by email. Other ordering and certification options can have different delivery methods and processing times.
If your employer specifically requested the common record, you can review the Ontario Driver Abstract ordering service on GetMyAbstract.ca.
What if the employer just says “driving record”?
Ask for the exact document name. Ontario offers multiple driver-record products, including a 3-year record, driver’s licence history, 5-year record, extended record and complete record. They do not contain the same information.
For employment-related context, see our guide to driver abstracts for employment in Ontario.
Before you submit the record
Check that the document is the type requested and review the identifying information. If something appears unexpected, do not alter the document; determine whether you need to contact the appropriate Ontario service about the underlying information.
Key takeaway
The best time to order an Ontario driver abstract for a new job is after you know the employer’s exact record and recency requirements. That reduces the risk of paying for the wrong document or having to order a newer copy.
GetMyAbstract.ca is an independent service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Transportation. Employer requirements vary. Confirm the exact record and recency requirement with the organization requesting it.