Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) has expanded its suite of digital services with the rollout of a new online Licence Lookup tool, allowing businesses, organizations and members of the public to quickly verify whether a Manitoba driver holds a valid licence, without needing to visit a service centre.
Unveiled on November 17, 2025, the tool provides a simple self-serve method to confirm three key pieces of information about any Manitoba driver, provided the user has access to the driver’s licence number and whether the licence is valid or invalid, the class and stage of licence, and any restrictions that must be followed while operating a vehicle.
The online service is targeted toward employers, volunteer organizations, vehicle owners, non-profit agencies and external licensing jurisdictions that need to ensure drivers meet legal requirements before getting behind the wheel.
“MPI is providing a self-serve method for employers or employees to get licence information through an easier and faster process,” said Maria Campos, Vice-President and Chief Customer and Product Officer for MPI, in a release. “Licence Lookup furthers MPI’s commitment to increased online service delivery and helps Manitobans get the information they need to do their work. This tool also contributes to road safety.”
According to MPI, internal data shows that suspended drivers or individuals with previous suspensions are statistically more likely to be involved in fatal collisions. Ensuring that employers and organizations have fast access to licence information can help reduce that risk by keeping unlicensed or restricted drivers off Manitoba roads.
Privacy safeguarded, says MPI
To protect personal information, the tool does not allow searches by name and does not provide any personal details such as address or date of birth. The user must already know the driver’s licence number, meaning a licence holder must consent to sharing it.
“Privacy is very important to us,” Campos said. “The tool will only provide the validity, class, and restrictions. MPI will not provide a driver’s licence number to anyone.”
Before the launch of Licence Lookup, many employers relied on Driver In-Force letters, which confirmed licence validity but required employees to request them in person at an MPI Service Centre, a process critics have long called outdated and inefficient. The new online tool eliminates that administrative burden, offering near-instant confirmation in just a few clicks.
Who can benefit
While designed primarily with employers in mind, MPI notes the tool may assist a wide range of users, including non-profits with staff who operate agency vehicles, other licensing jurisdictions with reciprocal exchange agreements, vehicle owners considering lending out their car, truck or equipment, and volunteer coordinators responsible for driver screening.
The Licence Lookup tool is now live and accessible to the public at: https://licencelookup.mpi.mb.ca/?lang=en
— Steven Sukkau is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Winnipeg Sun. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
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