Disclaimer: While this represents the general coding method, the exact encoding algorithm is proprietary to the Ministry of Transportation.

If you legally change your name or gender marker, your license number will change. Fake ID Detection:

A unique aspect of the Ontario system is how it encodes gender. The month of birth is listed as 01–12.

Represents the first letter of your surname (last name). If your name is "Smith," the number begins with S. The First Four Digits (NNNN):

Service staff can check if the last 6 digits match the date of birth (and check the +50 rule for females) to identify potential fake IDs. Temporary Licence:

A temporary licence has a different number than the final card. Validation: You can check the validity of a license using the Ontario Driver’s Licence Check tool

A numeric encoding of your last name, often used in conjunction with the first letter to verify identity. The Middle Five Digits (NNNNN): A numeric encoding of your first name and middle initial. The Last Six Digits (NNNNNN - YYMMDD): These represent your birthdate: Year (YY): The last two digits of your birth year. Month (MM): The numerical month (01-12). The numerical day (01-31). The "Gender Marker" Secret