Part IV of the Ontario Highway Act addresses the need to be licensed by stating in Section 32 (1) that no person shall drive a motor vehicle on a highway unless the motor vehicle is within a class of motor vehicles in respect of which the person holds a driver’s licence issued to him or her under this Act.

Section 32 (16) states that every person who contravenes subsection (1), (2), (3), (10), (10.1), (11) or (11.1) is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of not less than $200 and not more than $1,000.

Section 33 (1) notes that every driver of a motor vehicle or street car shall carry his or her licence with him or her at all times while he or she is in charge of a motor vehicle or street car and shall surrender the licence for reasonable inspection upon the demand of a police officer or officer appointed for carrying out the provisions of this Act.

So you are first required to be licensed in Ontario, Canada and secondly need to carry your license with you so that if law enforcement requests it for inspection you can show it.

The Ontario Community Council on Impaired Driving (OOCID) states that it is against the law to drive without a license and unlicensed drivers could be charged and fined up to $5,000 with the possibility of six months imprisonment in some cases. This is referring to those driving without a license due to an administrative driver's license suspension issued by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles in the Ministry of Transportation after motorists blowing over the legal limit or refusing an alcohol-breath test.

It would appear if you are just driving without a license the usual penalty is the one stated in Section 32 (16) of the Highway Act which is a fine of between $200 and $1000 however if you were cited for this infraction of the law in Ontario you should contact the court listed on your ticket for driving without a license to find out the penalties you will be facing.

If you are properly licensed and are in need of car insurance for your vehicle click here for a Canadian car insurance quote.