How Ontario driver's license renewal works
In Ontario, you renew your driver's license through ServiceOntario, either online, by mail, or in person at a ServiceOntario office. The method you use depends on your license class, how much time is left before expiry, and whether you need a new photo. Most people renew online if they are renewing a standard Class G license and do not need a new photograph.
Your Ontario license is valid for five years from the date of issue. You can begin the renewal process up to nine months before your license expires. ServiceOntario will mail you a renewal notice about four months before expiry, but you do not have to wait for it to start.
The cost of renewal is $90 for a five-year Class G license if you renew online or by mail without a new photo. If you need a new photo or choose to renew in person, the fee is the same. Fees for other license classes vary — a Class D (motorcycle) renewal is $90, and a Class A or B (commercial) renewal costs more.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew your Ontario license online, by mail, or in person at a ServiceOntario office, and online renewal is the fastest option if you do not need a new photo.
- Online renewal takes about 10 business days from the time ServiceOntario receives your payment, and your new license arrives by mail.
- You must renew in person if your license has been suspended, if you are renewing a commercial or bus license, or if you want a new photo.
- Your renewal notice arrives about four months before expiry, but you can start the process up to nine months early through the ServiceOntario website.
- If your license has expired, you can still renew it without retaking the written or road test, as long as it has not been expired for more than two years.
Renewing online through ServiceOntario
Online renewal is available only for Class G licenses (standard passenger vehicle) and is the quickest method. You go to the ServiceOntario website, create or log into your account, and provide your license number, date of birth, and postal code. You then answer a few health and vision questions and pay the $90 fee by debit card or credit card.
After you submit your payment, ServiceOntario processes your renewal and mails your new license to the address on file. Processing takes about 10 business days, and delivery by Canada Post typically takes another 5 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives, as long as your current license has not yet expired.
If your address has changed, you can update it during the online renewal process. If you need to change your name, you will need to renew in person and bring proof of the name change, such as a marriage certificate or court order.
Renewing by mail
Mail renewal is also available for Class G licenses and uses the renewal notice ServiceOntario sends you. You fill out the form, include a cheque or money order for $90 payable to the Minister of Finance, and mail it to the address shown on the notice. Do not send cash.
Processing by mail takes longer than online renewal — typically three to four weeks from the time ServiceOntario receives your envelope, plus mailing time in both directions. If you are close to your expiry date, online renewal is safer because you can track when your payment is received.
Mail renewal is useful if you do not have internet access or prefer not to pay online. Keep a copy of the form and note the date you mail it in case you need to follow up.
Renewing in person at ServiceOntario
You must renew in person if your license has been suspended, if you are renewing a commercial license (Class A, B, or C), if you are renewing a bus license (Class D or E), or if you want a new photograph taken. You can also choose to renew in person even if you are not required to.
To renew in person, find your nearest ServiceOntario office on the ServiceOntario website and book an appointment. Bring your current license, proof of Ontario residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and payment of $90 in cash, debit, or credit card. If you are renewing a commercial license, you may also need a medical report form completed by your doctor.
Processing at the office is when ready — you receive a temporary license document on the spot, and your permanent license arrives by mail within 10 business days. This is the fastest way to get a temporary proof of a valid license if your current one is about to expire.
What happens if your license has expired
If your Ontario license has expired, you can still renew it without retaking the written test or road test, as long as no more than two years have passed since expiry. You renew the same way you would if it had not expired — online, by mail, or in person.
If your license expired more than two years ago, you must explore for a new license as if you were a first-time driver. This means taking the written knowledge test, the road test, and paying the full fee for a new license. You cannot straightforward renew an expired license at that point.
While your license is expired, you cannot legally drive in Ontario. If you are stopped by police, you may face a fine. If you need to drive before your renewal is processed, renewing in person at a ServiceOntario office is the fastest option because you receive a temporary license document when ready.
Renewing a commercial or bus license
If you hold a Class A (truck), Class B (bus), Class C (truck with air brakes), Class D (motorcycle), or Class E (bus with air brakes) license, you must renew in person at a ServiceOntario office. Online and mail renewal are not available for these classes.
When you renew a commercial or bus license, you must bring your current license, proof of Ontario residency, and a medical report form (Form DL 180) completed by a doctor within the past 12 months. The doctor must confirm that you are physically and mentally fit to drive. The renewal fee varies by class — Class D is $90, and Class A, B, C, and E are higher.
Book an appointment at your nearest ServiceOntario office before you go. Processing takes about 10 business days, and your new license arrives by mail. If your medical report shows a condition that affects your driving, ServiceOntario may impose restrictions on your license or ask you to take a road test.
Changing your photo or personal information during renewal
If you want a new photograph on your license, you must renew in person at a ServiceOntario office. The office takes a new photo as part of the renewal process at no extra cost. You do not need to bring a photo from outside.
If you need to change your name, you must renew in person and bring legal proof of the name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. ServiceOntario will not process a name change by mail or online.
If you need to change your address, you can do so online during renewal, by mail on your renewal form, or in person at a ServiceOntario office. Address changes are processed when ready and do not delay your renewal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my renewal is being processed?
Yes, you can drive on your current license until it expires, as long as you have submitted your renewal before the expiry date. If you renew in person, you receive a temporary license document when ready and can drive on that while your permanent license is mailed to you.
What if I move to a different province after renewing in Ontario?
You can keep your Ontario license and use it to drive in other provinces and territories. If you move permanently to another province, you will eventually need to get a license from that province, but Ontario does not require you to surrender your license when you leave.
Do I need to pass a vision test to renew my license?
If you renew online or by mail, you answer vision questions on the form, but you do not take a formal vision test. If ServiceOntario has concerns about your vision based on your answers, they may ask you to visit an optometrist. If you renew in person, the ServiceOntario staff may ask you to read a chart.
What if my license was suspended or revoked?
You cannot renew a suspended or revoked license. You must first resolve the suspension or revocation with ServiceOntario or the courts. Once the suspension or revocation is lifted, you can renew in person at a ServiceOntario office. Contact ServiceOntario to confirm your license status before attempting to renew.
How long does it take to get my renewed license in the mail?
After ServiceOntario processes your renewal, your new license is mailed to you by Canada Post. This typically takes 5 to 10 business days. Online renewal processing takes about 10 business days, so total time from payment to receiving your license is usually 15 to 20 business days.