You can renew an expired Ontario licence online, by mail, or in person at a ServiceOntario office, depending on how long it has been expired and what type of licence you hold.
If your Ontario driver's licence has expired, you have options to get it current again. The fastest route is usually online through the ServiceOntario website if your licence expired less than three years ago and you have no medical conditions or restrictions that have changed. If your licence expired more than three years ago, you will need to renew in person or by mail, because ServiceOntario treats very old licences as requiring a fresh process rather than a straightforward renewal.
The cost to renew is $90 for a five-year licence or $158 for an eight-year licence, paid at the time you submit your renewal. You will also need a valid piece of identification — a passport, birth certificate, or other government-issued document — to prove your identity, even though you already hold a licence.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through ServiceOntario takes about 10 business days and costs $90 or $158 depending on the licence length you choose.
- You can only renew online if your licence expired fewer than three years ago and you have no new medical conditions or changes to your name or address.
- If your licence expired more than three years ago, you must renew by mail or in person at a ServiceOntario office.
- You will need a valid government-issued ID (passport, birth certificate, or similar) plus proof of your current address to complete any renewal method.
- In-person renewal at ServiceOntario takes about 20 minutes and you can drive home with a temporary paper licence the same day.
Online Renewal Through ServiceOntario
The online renewal process is available at ontario.ca/driversandvehicles and takes about 10 business days from the time you submit. You will need your licence number, date of birth, and a valid credit or debit card to pay the fee. ServiceOntario will mail your new physical licence to the address on file, and you can continue to drive using your expired licence until the new one arrives.
Online renewal is only open to you if your licence expired fewer than three years ago, your name and address have not changed since the licence was issued, and you have no new medical conditions or restrictions. If any of these do not explore — for example, if you have moved or if you now wear glasses and did not when the licence was issued — you must renew by mail or in person instead.
After you submit online, ServiceOntario will send you a confirmation email. Keep this email until your new licence arrives. If your new licence does not arrive within three weeks, contact ServiceOntario at 1-800-387-3445 to check the status.
Renewing by Mail
Mail renewal takes four to six weeks and requires you to fill out form DL 44 (process for Ontario Driver's Licence Renewal), which you can read from the ServiceOntario website or request by phone. You will also need to include a photocopy of a valid government-issued ID that shows your name and date of birth, and proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last three months).
Mail your completed form, copies of your ID and address proof, and a cheque or money order for $90 or $158 to the address listed on the form. Do not send cash. ServiceOntario will process your renewal and mail your new licence to you. During this time, you can continue to drive using your expired licence.
Mail renewal is the only option if your licence expired more than three years ago, or if you have changed your name, address, or medical status since the licence was issued. It is also the option to use if you do not have internet access or prefer not to renew online.
In-Person Renewal at a ServiceOntario Office
You can walk into any ServiceOntario office and renew your licence on the spot. Bring your expired licence, a valid government-issued ID (passport, birth certificate, or similar), and proof of your current address. The process takes about 20 minutes, and you will receive a temporary paper licence that day that you can drive with when ready. Your permanent plastic licence will arrive by mail within two weeks.
In-person renewal is useful if you need to drive right away, if your licence expired more than three years ago, or if you have had a change in your medical status or restrictions that you want to report in person. You do not need an appointment at most ServiceOntario offices, but wait times vary. You can check current wait times at your nearest office on the ServiceOntario website before you go.
The fee is the same whether you renew in person or online: $90 for a five-year licence or $158 for an eight-year licence. ServiceOntario accepts cash, debit, and credit cards.
What Happens If Your Licence Expired More Than Three Years Ago
If your licence has been expired for more than three years, ServiceOntario treats it as a new process rather than a renewal. You cannot use the online renewal process. Instead, you must renew by mail or in person, and you will need to provide more documentation than a straightforward renewal requires.
In addition to your expired licence and a valid government-issued ID, you will need to provide proof of your Ontario residency (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last three months) and your Social Insurance Number. If you are renewing in person, bring these documents with you. If you are renewing by mail, include photocopies with your process form.
The fee remains $90 or $158. The process takes the same amount of time — about 20 minutes in person, or four to six weeks by mail — but the extra documentation requirement is the main difference you will encounter.
Renewing a Licence With Medical Conditions or Restrictions
If you have a medical condition that affects your ability to drive — such as vision loss, hearing loss, or a condition that causes seizures — you cannot renew online. You must renew in person at a ServiceOntario office or by mail. When you renew, you may be asked to provide a medical report from your doctor confirming that you are still safe to drive.
If your licence has restrictions — such as "corrective lenses required" or "automatic transmission only" — and those restrictions are still accurate, you can renew online without issue. If your restrictions have changed (for example, you no longer need glasses, or you now need them), you must renew in person or by mail so that ServiceOntario can update your licence.
If you are unsure whether your medical status or restrictions will prevent you from renewing online, call ServiceOntario at 1-800-387-3445 before you attempt to renew. They can tell you which method is right for your situation.
Documents You Need for Each Renewal Method
| Renewal Method | Documents Required | Processing Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Expired licence number, date of birth, valid payment method | 10 business days | $90 or $158 |
| By Mail | Form DL 44, photocopy of government ID, proof of current address, cheque or money order | 4 to 6 weeks | $90 or $158 |
| In Person | Expired licence, government-issued ID, proof of current address | 20 minutes (temporary licence same day; permanent licence by mail in 2 weeks) | $90 or $158 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with an expired Ontario licence while I wait for my renewal?
Yes, you can drive with your expired licence while your renewal is being processed, as long as you have submitted your renewal process. Once your new licence arrives, the expired one is no longer valid. If you are renewing in person, you receive a temporary paper licence when ready that day, so you do not have a gap in your driving authority.
What if my name has changed since my licence was issued?
If you have changed your name due to marriage, divorce, or legal change, you cannot renew online. You must renew by mail or in person and bring a document that proves your name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. ServiceOntario will update your name on your new licence at the same time.
Do I need a new photo for my renewal?
If you are renewing online or by mail, ServiceOntario will use the photo from your expired licence. If you are renewing in person at a ServiceOntario office, they will take a new photo as part of the process. If you want a new photo for an online or mail renewal, you must renew in person instead.
What if my address has changed?
If you have moved, you cannot renew online. You must renew by mail or in person and provide proof of your new address, such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last three months. Bring this proof with you if renewing in person, or include a photocopy if renewing by mail.
How much does it cost to renew, and what is the difference between the five-year and eight-year licence?
A five-year licence costs $90 and an eight-year licence costs $158. The eight-year licence is valid longer, so you will not need to renew again for eight years instead of five. Both are valid for driving in Ontario and across Canada. Choose based on how long you plan to hold your licence and your preference for how often you want to renew.