Tips for checking ID

Below are examples of common forms of identification accepted in Ontario. 

Driver’s licences issued by Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation include various security features.

The following features are common to all drivers’ licences:

• The licence number starts with the first letter of the last name (e.g., Jane Public’s licence number will start with a “P”).
• The 9th and 10th number (separated by a dash) are the same as the last two numbers of the person’s year of birth.
• The last two numbers indicate the day of birth.

Look for these security features:

1. Ultraviolet inks are used during the manufacturing process to enhance the security background and also to add two distinct UV features, an Ontario logo on the front and a stylized Trillium flower on the back. Both are visible only under an ultraviolet (blacklight) source.
2. Raised lettering on driver’s licence number and date of birth.
3. Protected secondary photo and signature at the bottom right corner.
4. Ontario driver’s licences and photo ID cards issued to individuals aged 16 to 18 will clearly show when card holders turn 19. The cards will have an “AGE 19” banner, followed by the exact date the card holder turns 19. The banner will be located near the bottom of the card, beside the date of birth.
5. The machine-readable barcode contains licensee-related data.

• Take your time and examine the ID closely. 
• Check the photo, the birth date, and the expiry date.
• Never accept ID without a photo. 
• Hold the ID in your hands, rather than allowing the patron to flash it at you. 
• Feel for extra thickness around the photo and the edge of the lamination. This may be an indication of a second photo placed on top of an original and re-laminated.
• Look for consistency between numbers and letters. Are the numbers and letters consistent and the same thickness, weight, and colour? If they have been altered, they may be thicker, heavier, or darker.