Yes, you can renew your Ontario driver's license after it expires, but the process and cost depend on how long it has been expired

An expired Ontario driver's license can still be renewed, but ServiceOntario treats it differently depending on whether it expired recently or years ago. If your license expired less than one year ago, you can renew it through the standard renewal process online, by mail, or in person. If it has been expired for more than one year, you will need to take a written knowledge test and an in-person road test, which means treating it almost like a new license process rather than a straightforward renewal.

The cost also changes based on how long the license has been expired. A standard renewal costs less than $90, but if you need to retake tests, you will pay additional fees for each test. Understanding which category you fall into before you start the process saves time and money.

Key Takeaways

  • Licenses expired less than one year can be renewed online, by mail, or in person without retaking tests.
  • Licenses expired more than one year require you to pass a written test and a road test, similar to getting a new license.
  • You will need your expired license, proof of identity, and proof of residence to renew in any situation.
  • Online renewal through ServiceOntario is the fastest option if your license expired within the last year.
  • If you have been driving on an expired license, you are breaking the law and can be fined or have your vehicle impounded.

Renewing within one year of expiration

If your license expired within the past 12 months, ServiceOntario allows you to renew without retaking any tests. You have three ways to do this: online through the ServiceOntario website, by mail, or in person at a ServiceOntario office.

Online renewal is the fastest and cheapest option. You log into your ServiceOntario account, pay the renewal fee (currently around $90 for a five-year license), and your new license arrives by mail within two to three weeks. You will need your expired license number, your date of birth, and a valid payment method. This option is available 24/7 and requires no appointment.

Mail renewal takes longer but works the same way: you send your expired license, a completed renewal form (available on the ServiceOntario website), and a cheque or money order to the address provided. Processing takes four to six weeks. In-person renewal at a ServiceOntario office is when ready if you bring the right documents, but you will need to book an appointment and wait for an available time slot.

Renewing after more than one year of expiration

Once your license has been expired for more than 12 months, ServiceOntario treats the renewal as a new license issuance. This means you must pass both a written knowledge test and a road test before you receive a new license. You cannot renew online or by mail in this situation.

The written test covers Ontario traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. You take it at a ServiceOntario office on a computer. The road test happens separately and involves a certified examiner watching you drive and assessing your ability to control the vehicle, follow traffic laws, and respond to hazards. You must pass both tests to get your license back.

This path costs more because you pay for the renewal fee plus separate fees for the written test and the road test. Exact costs vary, but budget for at least $150 to $200 total. You will also need to book appointments for both tests, which can take several weeks depending on how busy your local ServiceOntario office is.

Documents you need to bring

Regardless of whether your license expired recently or years ago, you will need to prove who you are and where you live. ServiceOntario requires one piece of primary identification (your expired license counts) and one piece of proof of residence.

Acceptable proof of residence includes a recent utility bill, a lease or mortgage statement, a property tax bill, or a bank statement showing your current address. The document must be dated within the last three months. If you are renewing online, you will upload images of these documents. If you are renewing in person or by mail, you bring the originals or certified copies.

If your address has changed since your license expired, bring proof of your new address. If you are changing your name, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or legal name change document from the Ontario Superior Court.

What happens if you drive on an expired license

Driving with an expired Ontario license is illegal, even if you are renewing it. If you are stopped by police, you can be fined up to $500 and receive a demerit point. If your license has been expired for more than three years, the fine can be higher and you may face additional penalties.

Beyond the fine, driving on an expired license can complicate your insurance. If you are in an accident, your insurance company may deny your claim because you were not legally permitted to drive. Your vehicle can also be impounded on the spot, and you will have to pay towing and storage fees to get it back.

If you know your license is expired or about to expire, renew it before you drive again. The renewal process is straightforward if you act within the first year, and waiting longer only adds tests and cost.

Renewing online versus in person

Online renewal is faster and cheaper if you are may be able to access. You do not have to travel, you can renew at any time of day, and you avoid appointment wait times. The trade-off is that your new license arrives by mail, so you will not have it when ready. If you need a license the same day, in-person renewal is your only option.

In-person renewal at a ServiceOntario office takes about 30 minutes once you are called. You bring your documents, pay the fee, have your photo taken, and receive a temporary license on the spot. Your permanent license arrives by mail within two weeks. You must book an appointment in advance through the ServiceOntario website; walk-ins are not accepted at most locations.

Mail renewal is the slowest option but requires the least effort. You do not have to leave home or book an appointment. It works only if your license expired within the last year and you do not need the license urgently.

Renewing if you have an out-of-province or out-of-country license

If your expired license was issued outside Ontario, you cannot renew it through ServiceOntario. Instead, you must exchange it for an Ontario license or get a new one. This process is different from renewing an Ontario license and typically requires a written test, a road test, and proof that you have lived in Ontario for at least 39 days.

Contact ServiceOntario directly or visit their website to find out what documents you need for an out-of-province exchange. The rules vary depending on which province or country issued your original license.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if it expired more than five years ago?

Yes, but you will need to pass both a written test and a road test. ServiceOntario treats licenses expired more than one year the same way regardless of how long ago they expired. You cannot skip the tests even if you have been driving legally in another province or country.

What if I lost my expired license and do not have it anymore?

You can still renew, but you will need to bring other primary identification such as a passport, birth certificate, or citizenship certificate. Contact ServiceOntario before you visit to confirm which documents they will accept in place of your expired license.

Do I have to retake the vision test when I renew?

If your license expired within one year, you do not retake any tests, including vision. If it expired more than one year ago, you will have a vision screening as part of the road test appointment. Some ServiceOntario offices also do vision checks during the renewal appointment.

How long does it take to get my new license in the mail?

Standard mail delivery takes two to three weeks for online renewals and four to six weeks for mail-in renewals. If you need your license faster, renew in person at a ServiceOntario office and you will receive a temporary license the same day.

Can I renew my license if I have unpaid traffic fines or a suspended license?

No. ServiceOntario will not process a renewal if your license is suspended or if you have outstanding fines. You must resolve these issues first. Contact ServiceOntario or the Ministry of Transportation to find out what you owe and how to pay it.