Your Ontario driver’s license needs to be renewed every 5 years. You can renew your license up to 180 days before it expires. Around 90 days before it expires, you'll receive a renewal notice in the mail. This letter will let you know if any tests or additional documents are required to complete your driver’s license renewal.
As it is illegal to drive with an expired license, it’s important to apply for renewal ahead of time if you plan to continue driving. It’s also a good idea to renew early if you expect to be out-of-province when your license expires. After completing your renewal, your new driver’s license will arrive by mail in 4-6 weeks. In the meantime, you’ll receive a downloadable temporary driver’s license that you should print and carry with you until you receive your new card.
If your driver’s license is not yet expired, you can renew your license online if you meet the following conditions:
To renew your license online, visit ServiceOntario’s driver’s license renewal page. Be sure to have your driver’s license number, 7-digit Trillium number (found between two asterisks on the back of your license), postal code, and a valid credit card ready to pay the $90 renewal fee.
If you are not eligible for online renewal then you will need to visit a ServiceOntario Centre. You may be able to book an appointment by calling ahead. Before your driver’s license renewal can be completed, you may be asked to pay any outstanding fines or complete any necessary tests.
Do you have an expired driver’s license? Don’t worry! You may still be eligible for an Ontario license renewal, depending on the length of expiry.
If your driver’s license has been expired for less than a year, you can still follow the standard steps above to renew your license online or in person.
If your driver’s license has been expired for over a year, you cannot renew it online and will have to go through a different process. You will need to visit a DriveTest centre or book an appointment at ServiceOntario Bay and College (Toronto). Be prepared to:
The exact process to renew an expired driver’s license depends on how long it has been expired:
If you have an expired G1 or G2 license, you are not eligible for a license renewal. Instead, you will have to restart the Graduated License Program from the very beginning! To avoid this, it’s important to obtain your full G license before your G2 expires.
Here’s how the process works:
For more information, you can consult our guide on Ontario’s Graduated License Program.
If you need to replace a driver’s license in Ontario after it’s been lost or stolen, simply head to your nearest ServiceOntario location. Be sure to bring an original ID that shows your legal name, date of birth, and signature, such as a passport or photo health card. You’ll also need to pay a replacement fee of $35.75. Once your application is processed, you'll receive a temporary license, and your replacement Ontario driver’s license will arrive by mail within 4-6 weeks.
Losing your Ontario driver’s license can be frustrating, especially if you’re abroad. While the process for replacing a lost or stolen driver’s license is different if you are outside of Ontario, it’s just as easy! To start the replacement process, contact ServiceOntario online to have a one-time, temporary license mailed to you. Once you return to Ontario, you will have to visit a ServiceOntario location to have your temporary license replaced with a new one. If you are away for more than 6 months, your replacement driver’s license will be mailed to your out-of-province address instead, using your current expiry date and photograph.
You cannot renew a G2 license before or after it expires, however you may be able to get an extension if you booked a road test prior to the expiry date. Once your road test is booked, visit a DriveTest Centre to request an extension on your G2 license.
If you are over 80 years old, you must renew your Ontario driver’s license every 2 years. The renewal process involves completing a Senior Driver Group Education Session. At the education session, you will watch a senior driver educational video, perform a vision test, and complete an in-class screening exercise.
If you need to update your personal information that is on your current license card, you can do so for free. You can change your address online, but other types of information require you to visit a ServiceOntario location or a DriveTest location. You should visit a ServiceOntario location if you want to change the following:
If you want to change any condition or restriction on your licenses, such as the need to wear corrective lenses or glasses, you will have to visit a DriveTest Centre and pass any required test. For any change of information, you will need to present your current driver’s license along with any supporting documentation necessary for the specific change, such as a letter from an optometrist (if applicable).
If your license was suspended and you’re looking to have it reinstated, there are three steps to follow:
Once these steps are complete, visit a DriveTest location with those documents and ID that shows your legal name, date of birth, and signature to get a new license. If your suspension has lasted more than a year, you will need to complete additional tests:
If your license was suspended for non-medical reasons, you will also have to pay a $281 reinstatement fee, in addition to any fees for tests you must complete.
You can renew your driver’s license online in Ontario as long as you meet the following requirements:
You can begin the process at the ServiceOntario renewal page.
You can renew an expired license online for up to a year after the expiration date. After a year, the requirements for renewal changes, as you must go in person and do a vision test.
There is a $90 driver’s license renewal fee in Ontario. In some cases, the fee can vary, such as if you are over 76 years of age, or if the renewal period is not for a full 5 years.
There are many different types of scenarios where you might need to renew, replace, or reinstate your Ontario driver’s license, each with its own process. This guide is designed to help you navigate what steps to take based on your circumstances. If you have questions that aren’t covered here, reach out to a ServiceOntario Centre for assistance. We hope this guide points you in the right direction!
You might also be interested in these guides:
Getting Your Ontario Driver’s License
Foreign Driver's License Exchange In Ontario, Canada
Guide to the Ontario G2 Road Test
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