What You Need to Do to Renew in Ontario
Ontario driver's licenses expire every five years for most drivers, or every ten years if you are 80 or older. You can renew online, by mail, or in person at a ServiceOntario office. Online renewal is the fastest route — it takes about 10 minutes and you receive your new license by mail within two weeks. You cannot renew online if your license has been suspended, if you have medical conditions to declare, or if your address has changed since your last renewal.
The renewal process does not require a new photo or vision test unless your license has been expired for more than three years, or unless ServiceOntario flags your file for a retest. Most people straightforward confirm their information, pay the fee, and wait for the new card to arrive.
Key Takeaways
- Ontario licenses expire every five years (or ten years at age 80), and you can renew online, by mail, or in person depending on your circumstances.
- Online renewal costs $50.95 and takes about 10 minutes, with your new license arriving by mail in roughly two weeks.
- You cannot renew online if your license is suspended, if you have a new medical condition, or if your mailing address has changed since your last renewal.
- If your license expired more than three years ago, you must renew in person and may need a new photo and vision test.
- Mail and in-person renewal both require you to submit or bring original documents proving your identity and Ontario residency.
Online Renewal: The Fastest Option
Online renewal through ServiceOntario's website is available if your license is not suspended, your address has not changed, and you have no new medical conditions to report. You will need your driver's license number, your date of birth, and a valid payment method (Visa, Mastercard, or Debit). The fee is $50.95.
Log in to the ServiceOntario website, select "Renew a driver's license", and follow the prompts to confirm your personal information, vision status, and driving record. You will receive a confirmation number when ready. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 10 to 14 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives, even if it has expired.
If the system rejects your online process, you will see the reason on screen — usually because your address needs updating or because a medical flag exists on your file. In that case, you must renew by mail or in person.
Mail Renewal: What to Send and When to Expect It
Mail renewal takes longer than online but works if your address has changed or if you prefer not to use the website. read and print the renewal form (Form DL 44) from the ServiceOntario website, or call 1-800-387-3445 to request it by mail. Fill in all sections in black or blue ink, sign and date it, and include a cheque or money order for $50.95 payable to the Minister of Finance.
You must also include one original document proving your identity and one original document proving your Ontario residency. Acceptable identity documents include your current driver's license, passport, birth certificate, or citizenship certificate. Acceptable residency documents include a recent utility bill, property tax assessment, or mortgage statement — the document must show your name and current address and be dated within the last three months.
Mail your completed form and documents to the address listed on the form (usually the ServiceOntario office nearest your postal code). Processing takes 10 to 15 business days after ServiceOntario receives your package. You can continue to drive on your expired license while your renewal is being processed.
In-Person Renewal at a ServiceOntario Office
Renew in person if your license expired more than three years ago, if you have a new medical condition, or if you prefer to complete the process when ready. Visit any ServiceOntario office with your current driver's license, proof of identity, and proof of Ontario residency. Bring the same documents you would send by mail: one original identity document and one original residency document dated within the last three months.
You will be asked to confirm your information on screen, pay the $50.95 fee by cash, debit, or card, and sit for a new photo. If your license expired more than three years ago, you will also take a vision test at the office. The entire visit usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. You will receive a temporary paper license on the spot and your new plastic card by mail within two weeks.
ServiceOntario offices are open Monday to Friday, with some locations open Saturday mornings. You do not need to book 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 see current wait times.
Documents You Must Bring or Send
Regardless of which renewal method you choose, you need proof of who you are and proof that you live in Ontario. Original documents only — photocopies are not accepted.
| Document Type | Acceptable Documents | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | Current driver's license, passport, birth certificate, citizenship certificate, permanent resident card | Must be original; must show your full legal name |
| Ontario Residency | Utility bill, property tax assessment, mortgage statement, lease agreement, bank statement, insurance policy | Must be original; must show your name and current address; must be dated within the last three months |
If your name has changed since your last renewal (through marriage, divorce, or legal change), bring the original document proving the change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you have changed your address, the residency document must show your new address.
Fees and Payment Methods
The renewal fee for a five-year license is $50.95. If you are 80 or older and renewing a ten-year license, the fee is $101.95. These fees cover the new license card and processing.
Online renewal accepts Visa, Mastercard, and Debit. Mail renewal requires a cheque or money order. In-person renewal accepts cash, debit, and credit cards. Do not send cash by mail.
If you are renewing early (before your current license expires), you pay the full renewal fee and your new license will be valid for five or ten years from the date you renew, not from the expiration date of your old license. This means you may lose some validity time, so renew only when your license is close to expiring unless you have a specific reason to do so sooner.
What Happens If Your License Expired More Than Three Years Ago
If your license has been expired for more than three years, you cannot renew online or by mail. You must visit a ServiceOntario office in person. You will need to take a new photo and pass a vision test. The vision test is the same one given to new drivers — you read letters on a chart from a set distance, and the test checks your ability to see clearly and your peripheral vision.
Bring your expired license, proof of identity, and proof of Ontario residency. If you have any medical conditions that affect your driving (such as diabetes, epilepsy, or vision problems), declare them on the form. ServiceOntario may ask you to provide a medical report from your doctor before they issue a new license. The in-person visit takes 20 to 40 minutes, and you will receive a temporary paper license when ready and your new plastic card by mail within two weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it is suspended?
No. You cannot renew online, by mail, or in person while your license is under suspension. You must first resolve the suspension with the Ministry of Transportation. Contact ServiceOntario or the Ministry of Transportation to find out why your license is suspended and what steps you need to take to lift it.
What if I have moved out of Ontario since my last renewal?
You cannot renew an Ontario license if you no longer live in Ontario. You must obtain a driver's license from your new province or country. If you have moved temporarily but still consider Ontario your home, you may renew by mail or in person if you can provide a residency document showing an Ontario address.
Do I need a new photo for my renewal?
No, unless your license expired more than three years ago or unless ServiceOntario requests one. For standard renewals, your existing photo is used. If you renew in person at a ServiceOntario office, a new photo is taken automatically as part of the in-person process.
How long can I drive after my license expires while waiting for my renewal?
You can continue to drive on your expired license while your renewal is being processed, whether you renewed online, by mail, or in person. Once your new license arrives by mail, your old license is no longer valid. If you received a temporary paper license at a ServiceOntario office, that is your valid license until your new plastic card arrives.
What if my name or address is wrong on my new license when it arrives?
Contact ServiceOntario when ready. If the error is ServiceOntario's mistake, they will issue a corrected license at no charge. If the error is yours (for example, you provided the wrong spelling), you may be charged a fee to correct it. Bring your new license and proof of the correct information to a ServiceOntario office or call 1-800-387-3445.