What you need to know about Ontario licenses

An Ontario driver's license is issued by ServiceOntario, a provincial government agency, and is your legal proof that you can drive in Ontario and across Canada. The license comes in different classes depending on what vehicle you want to drive — a Class G is for regular cars, while Class A or D covers motorcycles or heavy trucks. You cannot drive legally in Ontario without the correct class for your vehicle.

Ontario uses a graduated licensing system, which means new drivers start at Class G1 (learner), move to Class G2 (intermediate) after passing a test, and reach full Class G after another test and waiting period. If you already hold a valid license from another province or country, you may be able to exchange it for an Ontario license without retesting, depending on your home jurisdiction and how long you have held it.

Key Takeaways

  • Ontario licenses are issued by ServiceOntario and come in different classes — G for cars, A or D for motorcycles and trucks — based on what you will drive.
  • New drivers follow a three-stage graduated system: G1 (learner with restrictions), G2 (intermediate, tested), and G (full license), with waiting periods between stages.
  • You can exchange an out-of-province or out-of-country license for an Ontario license at a ServiceOntario office without retesting if your home jurisdiction has a reciprocal agreement with Ontario.
  • Licenses expire every five years for most drivers, and you can renew online, by mail, or in person depending on your age and whether your vision or medical status has changed.
  • You will need proof of identity, proof of residency, and a vision test at most ServiceOntario locations, and fees vary by license type and whether you are a new driver or renewing.

The three stages of Ontario's graduated licensing system

If you are a new driver in Ontario, you will move through three stages. The first is Class G1, the learner stage. You can obtain a G1 by passing a written knowledge test at a ServiceOntario office. Once you hold a G1, you can drive only with a fully licensed driver aged 25 or older in the front passenger seat, you cannot drive on 400-series highways, and you cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. You must hold a G1 for at least 12 months and pass a road test before moving to the next stage.

The second stage is Class G2, the intermediate license. You reach G2 by passing a road test while holding a G1. At G2, you can drive alone, but you still cannot drive on 400-series highways, and you cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. You must hold G2 for at least 12 months before you can take the final road test for a full Class G license.

The third stage is Class G, the full license. Once you pass your second road test, you become a full Class G driver with no restrictions on highway driving or time of day. A full Class G license is valid for five years from the date of issue.

Exchanging an out-of-province or international license

If you already hold a valid driver's license from another Canadian province, the United States, or certain other countries, you may exchange it for an Ontario license without taking a road test. The process depends on your home jurisdiction. Ontario has reciprocal agreements with all other Canadian provinces and territories, most U.S. states, and countries including the United Kingdom, Australia, France, Germany, Japan, and South Korea. If your country is not on the list, you will need to take the full graduated licensing sequence.

To exchange a license, visit a ServiceOntario office with your current license, proof of Ontario residency, and proof of identity. You will need to pass a vision test. ServiceOntario staff will verify your driving record in your home jurisdiction — if you have been suspended or have serious violations, Ontario may refuse the exchange or impose conditions. The exchange takes place on the same day, and your new Ontario license is issued when ready. You do not need to hold an Ontario G1 or G2 first.

If your license has been expired for more than a certain period (this varies by province and country), you may not be may be able to access for a direct exchange and may need to retake the written test or road test. Check with ServiceOntario before your visit to confirm your specific situation.

Documents and fees for a new Ontario license

To obtain a new Ontario driver's license, you will need to bring three types of documents to a ServiceOntario office: proof of identity, proof of Ontario residency, and proof of your legal name if it differs from your identity document. Acceptable identity documents include a passport, birth certificate, or a citizenship certificate. Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or property tax assessment dated within the last three months. If you are under 16, a parent or guardian must accompany you.

You will also need to pass a vision test at the ServiceOntario office. The test checks whether you can read a standard eye chart and whether you have any colour blindness or peripheral vision problems that would make you unsafe to drive. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, bring them with you. If you fail the vision test, you will not be issued a license until you have been assessed by an eye care professional and have provided a report to ServiceOntario.

Fees for a new Ontario license vary. A Class G license costs around $90 for a five-year license, but the exact amount depends on your age and the type of license. A Class G1 written test costs approximately $40. A Class G2 or G road test costs approximately $50 to $60. These fees are set by ServiceOntario and change periodically, so confirm the current amount when you book your appointment.

How to renew your Ontario license

Ontario licenses expire every five years. You can renew your license online, by mail, or in person at a ServiceOntario office. The method you use depends on your age and whether your medical or vision status has changed since your last license was issued.

If you are between 16 and 79 years old and your vision and medical status have not changed, you can renew online through the ServiceOntario website. You will need your current license number, your date of birth, and a valid payment method. The online renewal takes a few minutes and your new license will be mailed to your address within two weeks. The fee is approximately $90 for a five-year license.

If you are 80 or older, or if your vision or medical status has changed, you must renew in person at a ServiceOntario office. You will need to pass a vision test and may need to provide a medical report from your doctor. Bring your current license, proof of identity, and proof of residency. In-person renewal takes about 30 minutes, and your new license is issued on the same day.

You can also renew by mail if you prefer not to visit an office, though this takes longer. Mail renewal is available to drivers aged 16 to 79 with no vision or medical changes. You will receive a renewal package in the mail before your license expires — complete it, include your payment, and mail it back to ServiceOntario. Your new license will arrive by mail within two to four weeks.

License classes for motorcycles and commercial vehicles

Ontario offers license classes beyond the standard Class G for cars. Class M is for motorcycles and motorized scooters. To obtain a Class M, you must first hold a Class G license, then pass a separate written test and road test for motorcycles. Some riders take a motorcycle safety course, which can reduce your insurance cost and may waive the road test requirement depending on the course provider.

Class A is for heavy trucks (over 11,794 kilograms), and Class D is for medium trucks (between 4,600 and 11,794 kilograms). Both require a valid Class G license first, a written test, a road test, and a medical examination. Class A and D drivers must also renew their medical certificate every two years. These licenses are used by professional drivers and are subject to stricter rules than Class G.

If you hold a Class A or D license, you can still drive a regular car with that license — the higher class includes the privileges of the lower class. However, you cannot drive a motorcycle with a Class A or D license; you must hold a separate Class M.

What happens if your license is suspended or revoked

Your Ontario license can be suspended or revoked for several reasons: driving with a blood alcohol level over the legal limit, accumulating too many demerit points from traffic violations, failing to pay a fine or court-ordered amount, or driving without insurance. A suspension is temporary — your license is taken away for a set period, after which you can explore to have it reinstated. A revocation is permanent — you must wait a set period before you can reapply for a new license.

If your license is suspended, you cannot drive legally in Ontario. Driving while suspended is a criminal offense and carries fines, jail time, and a longer suspension. If you receive a suspension notice, contact ServiceOntario or the body that issued the suspension (such as the Ministry of the Attorney General) to understand the reason, the length of the suspension, and what you must do to have it lifted. Some suspensions require you to pay a reinstatement fee or complete a remedial program before your license is restored.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive in Ontario with a license from another country?

You can drive in Ontario with a valid foreign license for up to six months if you are a visitor. After six months, you must exchange your license for an Ontario license or obtain an International Driving Permit. If your country has a reciprocal agreement with Ontario, you can exchange your license without retesting at a ServiceOntario office.

How long does it take to get a new Ontario license?

If you are exchanging a license from another province or country, you receive your new license on the same day at the ServiceOntario office. If you are a new driver taking the graduated licensing route, you will spend at least 24 months moving through the G1, G2, and G stages. If you are renewing online, your new license arrives by mail within two weeks.

What if I fail my road test?

You can retake the road test after waiting a set period — usually two weeks for a G2 test and one week for a G test. You will pay the test fee again each time you retake it. There is no limit to how many times you can retake the test, but you must continue to hold a valid G1 or G2 license while you prepare.

Do I need to renew my license if I move out of Ontario?

No. Your Ontario license remains valid as long as you hold it, even if you move to another province. However, if you move permanently to another province, you should exchange your Ontario license for a license in your new province within a set timeframe — usually 30 to 90 days, depending on the province.

Can I get a real ID or enhanced license in Ontario?

Ontario does not issue Real ID or enhanced licenses. Real ID is a U.S. federal standard. If you need to fly within the United States or enter a U.S. federal building, you will need a U.S. passport, passport card, or a Real ID from a U.S. state. Your Ontario driver's license is not sufficient for these purposes, but it is valid for driving across the Canada-U.S. border by car.