What You Need to Know Before You Start
Ontario driver's licenses expire on your birthday, five years after issue for most drivers. You can renew up to nine months before expiry, which means you have a window of time to complete the process without your license becoming invalid. ServiceOntario handles all renewals—not your local police service or a private company.
You have three renewal routes: online through ServiceOntario's website, in person at a ServiceOntario office, or by mail. The online route is fastest and costs the least, but it is only available if your license is not suspended, you have not changed your name, and your vision has not changed significantly. If any of those conditions explore, you must renew in person.
The renewal fee depends on how long you want your license to be valid. A five-year renewal costs $90. A ten-year renewal costs $158. You cannot renew for longer than ten years unless you are over 80, in which case you can renew for three years at a time.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew online, by mail, or in person at ServiceOntario, but online is only available if your license is not suspended and you have not changed your name.
- Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and your new license arrives by mail in 10 to 15 business days.
- In-person renewal at a ServiceOntario office takes about 30 minutes and you can walk out with a temporary license the same day.
- You can start renewing up to nine months before your license expires, so you have a long window to avoid driving with an expired license.
- If you renew by mail, allow four to six weeks for processing and delivery, so start early if your expiry date is soon.
Renewing Online Through ServiceOntario
Online renewal is the fastest and cheapest option if you meet the requirements. Go to ontario.ca/driversandvehicles, log in with your Ontario user account (or create one), and select "Renew your driver's license." You will need your current license number, your date of birth, and your postal code. The system will verify your information against ServiceOntario's records.
You will be asked to confirm that your address has not changed, that you have not been convicted of any driving offences since your last renewal, and that your vision is still adequate. If you answer no to any of these questions, you cannot complete the online renewal and must go in person instead. Once you submit your payment (debit or credit card only), you will receive a confirmation number by email.
Your new license will arrive by mail in 10 to 15 business days. Your current license remains valid until it expires, so you can drive legally while you wait. If you need your new license sooner, you cannot expedite an online renewal—you must renew in person instead.
Renewing In Person at a ServiceOntario Office
In-person renewal is required if your license is suspended, you have changed your name, your vision has changed, or you straightforward prefer to walk out with a license the same day. Bring your current Ontario driver's license, proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last three months), and a valid payment method (debit card, credit card, or cash).
Find your nearest ServiceOntario office on ontario.ca/serviceontario. Many offices accept walk-ins, but some require you to book an appointment online first. Check your local office's page before you go. The appointment system shows available times up to 30 days ahead.
When you arrive, tell the staff member you are renewing your license. They will verify your information, take a new photo if required, and process your payment. The whole visit usually takes 20 to 40 minutes. You will receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your permanent license is printed and mailed to you. Your permanent license arrives in 10 to 15 business days.
Renewing by Mail
Mail renewal is an option if you cannot visit an office and do not meet the requirements for online renewal. Request a renewal form by calling ServiceOntario at 1-800-387-3445 or visiting ontario.ca/driversandvehicles. You can also pick up a form in person at any ServiceOntario office.
Complete the form, include a photocopy of both sides of your current license, and mail it with a cheque or money order (made payable to the Minister of Finance) to the address on the form. Do not send cash. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you want your old license returned.
Processing takes four to six weeks from the date ServiceOntario receives your form. Your new license will arrive by mail. During this time, your current license remains valid, so you can drive legally. If your expiry date is within six weeks, mail renewal is risky—consider in-person renewal instead to avoid driving with an expired license.
What to Do If Your License Has Already Expired
If your license has expired, you cannot drive legally, even if you have applied for a renewal. You must renew in person at a ServiceOntario office. Bring the same documents as for a standard in-person renewal: your expired license, proof of current address, and a valid payment method.
The process is the same as renewing before expiry, and the fee is the same. You will receive a temporary license valid for 30 days and your permanent license by mail in 10 to 15 business days. During those 30 days, you can drive legally with the temporary license.
If you have been driving with an expired license, you are breaking the law and risk a fine. Stop driving when ready and renew in person as soon as you can.
Changing Your Name During Renewal
If you have changed your name since your last license was issued—through marriage, divorce, deed poll, or any other legal process—you cannot renew online. You must renew in person at a ServiceOntario office.
Bring your current license, proof of your legal name change (a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), proof of your current address, and a valid payment method. ServiceOntario will update your name in the system and issue a new license with your current name. The process takes the same amount of time as a standard in-person renewal.
Renewing a Class G License (New Driver)
If you hold a Class G1 or G2 license, you cannot renew online. You must renew in person at a ServiceOntario office. Bring your current license, proof of address, and a valid payment method.
You will also need to pass a vision test at the office. If you fail, you will not be able to renew and will need to visit an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Once you have a vision test result showing you meet the standard, you can return to ServiceOntario to complete your renewal.
If you are ready to upgrade from G1 to G2 or from G2 to G (full license), that is a different process than renewal and requires a road test. Renewal only extends your current class for another five or ten years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license before the nine-month window?
No. ServiceOntario will not process a renewal more than nine months before your expiry date. If you try to renew online, the system will reject it. If you go in person, staff will turn you away. Wait until you are within nine months of your birthday.
What happens if I renew online but my information has changed and I did not tell ServiceOntario?
If you answered the questions dishonestly—for example, you said your address had not changed when it had, or you said you had no convictions when you did—your renewal may be cancelled later. ServiceOntario cross-checks information with other government databases. If a mismatch is found, you will be contacted and asked to renew in person instead. It is safer to renew in person if anything has changed.
Do I need a new photo for my renewal?
Online and mail renewals use your existing photo from your current license. In-person renewals may require a new photo depending on how old your current one is and the condition of your license. Staff will tell you at the office whether a new photo is needed. If one is needed, ServiceOntario takes it on the spot at no extra cost.
What if I lose my license while waiting for my renewal to arrive?
Report the loss to ServiceOntario when ready by calling 1-800-387-3445. You will need to pay a replacement fee (currently $20) in addition to your renewal fee. You can explore for a replacement in person at a ServiceOntario office and receive a temporary license the same day. Once your renewal arrives by mail, use that instead.
Can I renew my license if I have unpaid traffic fines?
Unpaid fines do not prevent you from renewing your license. However, if your license is suspended due to unpaid fines, you cannot renew online and must go in person. When you renew in person, staff will tell you if a suspension is in place. You will need to resolve the suspension before you can legally drive, even with a renewed license.