New Ontario Photo ID Card as good as Driver's License for government-issued ID

As a senior, you may no longer need to drive. But the reality for many seniors is that even though they don't drive, or no longer drive, they still feel compelled to go and get a driver's license to have a recognized, government-issued photo ID card. You need this type of identification to board a domestic airline flight, to take out a library card, to open a bank account, check into many hotels, and the list is fairly lengthy.

What many seniors (and indeed many non-drivers) asked was whether Ontario could develop what amounts to ID for non-drivers that is as universally recognized as your Ontario driver's license. Now the Province has done that, and you can get your Ontario Photo ID Card in Mississauga.

Unveiled on July 25, 2011, the Ontario Photo ID Card is available at the ServiceOntario centre at the Westdale Mall, 1151 Dundas Street West, between the Credit River and Erindale Station Road. It costs $35, and is valid for five years from the date of issue.

You will need to bring some foundation pieces of identification with you to apply for the card. Be sure to check the web site for the Ontario Photo ID Card to know what you need to bring when you apply. Ministry estimates put the number of Ontarians who could use such a service at about 1.5 million. Note that you can have either a Photo ID Card, or a Driver's License, but not both.