Ontario Renewal: Online, By Mail, or In Person

You can renew your Ontario driver's license through ServiceOntario in three ways: online at ontario.ca/driversandvehicles, by mail using the renewal kit mailed to you, or in person at a ServiceOntario office. Online renewal is the fastest route and takes about 10 minutes if your address and medical status have not changed. By mail takes 10 to 15 business days after ServiceOntario receives your completed form. In-person renewal at a ServiceOntario office is when ready — you leave with your renewed license the same day.

You become may be able to access to renew up to nine months before your license expires. ServiceOntario mails a renewal kit to your address on file about four months before expiry. If you do not receive it, you can request one by phone at 1-800-387-3445 or read the form DR14 from the ServiceOntario website and mail it in yourself.

Your license must not be expired to renew by mail or online. If your license has already expired, you must renew in person at a ServiceOntario office and bring your expired license, proof of identity, and proof of residence.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal through ontario.ca/driversandvehicles takes 10 minutes and is available up to nine months before your license expires.
  • You need your driver's license number, date of birth, and postal code to renew online; no documents must be mailed in unless your address or medical status has changed.
  • If you renew by mail, send the completed renewal kit back to ServiceOntario and allow 10 to 15 business days for processing.
  • In-person renewal at any ServiceOntario office gives you your renewed license when ready and is required if your license has already expired.
  • The renewal fee in Ontario is $90 for a five-year license or $158 for an eight-year license; payment is by debit card, credit card, or bank account online, or by cheque if mailing.

What Documents You Need for Online Renewal

Online renewal requires no documents to be submitted unless your address or medical information has changed since your last license was issued. You will need your current driver's license number, date of birth, and postal code to log in. ServiceOntario will verify your identity using information already on file with the province.

If your address has changed, you must bring proof of your new address to a ServiceOntario office in person. Acceptable proof includes a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or property tax assessment in your name. You cannot update your address online during renewal.

If you have a medical condition that affects your driving, or if your doctor has advised you to report a condition to ServiceOntario, you must renew in person or by mail and include a completed medical form (Form DL 180) signed by your doctor. Do not attempt to renew online if this applies to you.

Step-by-Step Online Renewal Process

Go to ontario.ca/driversandvehicles and select "Renew your driver's license online." You will be directed to the ServiceOntario portal. Enter your driver's license number, date of birth, and postal code. The system will pull up your record and ask you to confirm your personal information.

Review your name, address, and date of birth on screen. If any information is incorrect and you cannot change it online, stop and renew in person instead — do not proceed with incorrect data. Confirm that your address and medical status have not changed since your last renewal. Answer the vision and medical questions honestly; if you answer yes to any medical question, you must renew in person or by mail with a doctor's form.

Select your license validity period: five years ($90) or eight years ($158). Enter your payment information — debit card, credit card, or bank account. Review the summary, accept the terms, and submit. You will receive a confirmation number by email. Your renewed license will be mailed to your address on file within 10 business days.

Renewing by Mail: Forms and Timeline

If you received a renewal kit in the mail, use the form inside it (usually Form DR14). If you did not receive a kit, read Form DR14 from ontario.ca/driversandvehicles, print it, and complete it by hand in black or blue ink. Do not use pencil. Sign and date the form where indicated.

Include a cheque or money order for $90 (five-year license) or $158 (eight-year license) made payable to "ServiceOntario." Do not send cash. Include your completed form and payment in an envelope addressed to ServiceOntario, P.O. Box 9200, Kingston, ON K7L 5A3. Mail it at least three weeks before your license expires to allow time for processing and delivery.

ServiceOntario will process your form and mail your renewed license to your address on file. The total time from mailing to receiving your new license is typically 10 to 15 business days, though delays can occur during peak renewal periods. If your license expires before you receive the renewed one, you cannot drive legally. Mail your renewal form early to avoid this.

In-Person Renewal at a ServiceOntario Office

Visit any ServiceOntario office with your current driver's license, proof of your current address (if you have moved), and payment. You do not need an appointment for license renewal, but wait times vary by location and time of day. Check the ServiceOntario website to find the office nearest you and view typical wait times.

Bring a debit card, credit card, or cheque to pay the renewal fee ($90 for five years, $158 for eight years). The staff member will verify your information, take a new photo, and process your renewal on the spot. You will leave with your renewed license in hand. The entire process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on how busy the office is.

In-person renewal is required if your license has expired, if your address has changed, if you have a medical condition to report, or if you cannot renew online for any reason. It is also the only option if you need to change your name on your license — bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the name change.

Fees, Payment Methods, and Validity Periods

Ontario offers two renewal periods: a five-year license for $90 or an eight-year license for $158. Choose the option that suits your needs. The fee is the same whether you renew online, by mail, or in person.

Online renewal accepts debit card, credit card, or bank account information. Mail-in renewal requires a cheque or money order; do not send cash. In-person renewal at a ServiceOntario office accepts debit card, credit card, or cheque. No office accepts cash payment.

Your renewed license will be valid for the period you selected, starting from the expiry date of your current license — not from the date you renew. If your current license expired on March 15, 2024, and you renew for five years, your new license will expire on March 15, 2029, regardless of when you actually completed the renewal.

What to Do If Your License Has Already Expired

If your license has expired, you cannot renew online or by mail. You must visit a ServiceOntario office in person with your expired license, proof of identity, and proof of your current address. Bring payment for the renewal fee.

The staff member will process your renewal the same way as a standard in-person renewal. You will receive your new license when ready. There is no penalty fee for renewing after expiry in Ontario, but you cannot legally drive until your new license is in your hands.

If you have lost your expired license, bring two pieces of proof of identity instead (such as a passport and a birth certificate). ServiceOntario will verify your information and issue your renewed license on the spot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Ontario license if I live outside the province?

Yes. If you live outside Ontario but still hold an Ontario license, you can renew by mail or online if your license has not expired. If it has expired, you must renew in person at a ServiceOntario office during a visit to Ontario, or contact ServiceOntario at 1-800-387-3445 to discuss other options.

What happens if I renew online but my information was wrong?

Contact ServiceOntario when ready at 1-800-387-3445 before your new license is mailed. If the license has already been printed with incorrect information, you will need to visit a ServiceOntario office in person to correct it. Bring proof of the correct information (such as a birth certificate for name or a utility bill for address).

Do I need a new photo when I renew?

Online and mail-in renewal use your existing photo from your current license. A new photo is taken only if you renew in person at a ServiceOntario office. If you want a new photo during an online or mail renewal, you must renew in person instead.

How long is my license valid after I renew?

Your renewed license is valid for either five or eight years from the expiry date of your previous license, not from the date you renew. If you renew early, the validity period still starts from your old license's expiry date.

Can I renew if my address has changed?

You cannot update your address online during renewal. If you have moved, renew in person at a ServiceOntario office and bring proof of your new address (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement). You can also call 1-800-387-3445 to update your address before renewing online, then proceed with the online renewal.