What You Pay to Renew an Ontario Driver's License

The cost to renew an Ontario driver's license depends on the type of license you hold and how long you want it valid for. A standard Class G license renewal costs $158.25 for a five-year renewal or $235.50 for an eight-year renewal. If you hold a commercial license (Class A, B, C, D, or E), the fee is higher: $308.75 for five years or $462.50 for eight years. These are the base fees charged by ServiceOntario as of 2024.

The fee covers the cost of processing your renewal process, issuing a new photo card, and updating your record in the Ministry of Transportation database. You pay this fee whether you renew in person at a ServiceOntario office, by mail, or online through the ServiceOntario portal. No additional service fees explore if you use the online or mail route; in-person renewals at a ServiceOntario office do not cost extra either.

Key Takeaways

  • A standard Class G Ontario license renewal costs $158.25 for five years or $235.50 for eight years.
  • Commercial licenses (Class A, B, C, D, or E) cost $308.75 for five years or $462.50 for eight years.
  • The renewal fee is the same whether you renew online, by mail, or in person at a ServiceOntario office.
  • You must pay the full renewal fee upfront; ServiceOntario does not offer payment plans or partial renewals.
  • If you renew before your current license expires, you do not pay a separate fee — the new expiry date is calculated from your renewal date, not your old expiry date.

When You Pay More: Endorsements and Upgrades

If you want to add or upgrade an endorsement to your license during renewal — such as air brake (Z), towing (F), or passenger vehicle (P) endorsements — you will pay an additional fee on top of the base renewal cost. Each endorsement costs between $20 and $50 depending on the type. For example, adding an air brake endorsement costs $50, while a towing endorsement costs $20.

You do not need to take a new test to add an endorsement during renewal if you already hold it on your current license. However, if you are adding a new endorsement you do not currently have, you must pass the written test and any required practical test before your renewal is processed, and those tests have separate fees. A written knowledge test costs $15, and a road test costs $90.

Payment Methods and Where to Pay

ServiceOntario accepts payment by debit card, credit card, or cash, depending on how you renew. If you renew online through the ServiceOntario portal, you must use a debit or credit card. If you renew by mail, you can include a cheque or money order made payable to the Minister of Finance. If you renew in person at a ServiceOntario office, you can pay by debit, credit, or cash.

Do not send cash by mail. If you choose to mail your renewal process, use a cheque or money order to avoid loss or theft. ServiceOntario will not process your renewal until payment is received, so allow extra time if you are paying by mail — typically five to ten business days for the cheque to arrive and be processed.

Renewal by Mail vs. Online vs. In Person

The renewal fee itself is identical across all three methods, but the total time and any additional costs differ. Online renewal through the ServiceOntario portal is the fastest and cheapest option: you pay the fee when ready with a debit or credit card, and your new license is mailed to you within 10 to 15 business days. You do not pay for shipping.

Renewal by mail takes longer but works if you do not have internet access or prefer not to use the online portal. You print the process form, include a cheque or money order, and mail it to the address on the form. Processing takes 15 to 20 business days after ServiceOntario receives your envelope. If you want your new license faster, you can request expedited mail delivery when you submit your process, but this costs an additional $25.

In-person renewal at a ServiceOntario office is the slowest option for receiving your license, but you can walk out with a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while you wait for your photo card. You pay the renewal fee at the counter and receive a receipt. Your new photo license arrives by mail within 10 to 15 business days. There is no extra charge for the temporary license.

What Happens If Your License Has Been Expired for More Than One Year

If your Ontario license has been expired for more than one year, you cannot renew it by mail or online. You must renew in person at a ServiceOntario office, and you must pass a vision test. The renewal fee remains the same ($158.25 or $235.50 for a Class G license), but the vision test itself is free when done at a ServiceOntario office during renewal.

If your license has been expired for more than three years, you must also pass a written knowledge test (costs $15) and a road test (costs $90) before your renewal is processed. These tests are separate from the renewal fee. You will need to book these tests in advance through the Ministry of Transportation; they are not administered on the spot at ServiceOntario offices.

Fees for Replacement Licenses and Address Changes

If you need to replace a lost, stolen, or damaged license while you are renewing, the replacement fee is $35 in addition to your renewal fee. You must report the loss or damage when you submit your renewal process. If you are only changing your address without renewing, that costs $15 and does not require a new photo card — ServiceOntario straightforward updates your record and mails you a confirmation letter.

If you are renewing and changing your address at the same time, you do not pay the $15 address change fee separately. The address update is included in the renewal process at no extra cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Ontario license before it expires, and do I pay the same fee?

Yes, you can renew up to one year before your license expires. You pay the same renewal fee, and your new expiry date is calculated from the date you renew, not from your old expiry date. This means you do not lose any validity — your new license will be valid for the full five or eight years from the renewal date.

Do I have to pay the full renewal fee if I only want to renew for five years instead of eight?

Yes. ServiceOntario offers only two renewal periods: five years ($158.25 for Class G) or eight years ($235.50 for Class G). You cannot choose a shorter period or pay a prorated fee. If you choose the five-year option, you will renew again in five years.

What if I renew online but my payment is declined?

ServiceOntario will not process your renewal process until payment is successfully received. If your debit or credit card is declined, you will see an error message on the portal and can try again with a different card. If you continue to have trouble, you can renew by mail or in person instead.

Is there a fee to renew if I am over 80 years old?

No. Drivers aged 80 and over in Ontario renew at no cost. You still must renew in person and pass a vision test, but the $158.25 or $235.50 renewal fee is waived. You will need to provide proof of age when you renew.

Do I pay the renewal fee again if my process is rejected?

No. If ServiceOntario rejects your renewal process — for example, because your documents do not meet requirements — you do not pay the fee again when you resubmit. However, if you withdraw your process and reapply later, you will need to pay the full fee again.