How to Change Your Driver's License Address in Ontario

Moving to a new address in Ontario comes with a list of things to update — and your driver's license is near the top of that list. Ontario has a specific process for this, and unlike some other provinces or U.S. states, the rules around what you're required to update, when, and how are worth understanding clearly before you assume anything.

Why Your License Address Matters in Ontario 📋

In Ontario, your driver's license is issued by the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) and administered through ServiceOntario. Your address on file isn't just a formality — it's connected to your driving record, vehicle registration, and any official correspondence from the MTO.

Ontario law requires licensed drivers to notify the MTO of an address change. Failing to keep your address current can create complications if your license comes up for renewal, if you receive demerit point notices, or if your vehicle registration renewal goes to the wrong address.

What Actually Gets Updated — and What Doesn't

This is one of the most commonly misunderstood points: changing your address in Ontario does not automatically produce a new physical driver's license card.

When you update your address, the MTO updates your record. Your existing license card continues to be valid until its expiry date, even though it still shows your old address. A new physical card with the updated address is only issued when your license comes up for renewal — not immediately after an address change.

If you need a card that reflects your current address sooner (for identity verification purposes, for example), you can request a replacement license at a ServiceOntario location for a fee. That fee varies and is set by the MTO.

How the Address Change Process Generally Works

Ontario offers a few ways to notify the MTO of your new address:

Online Through ServiceOntario

Ontario residents can update their driver's license address online through the ServiceOntario website. To use this option, you'll typically need your driver's license number and other identifying information to verify your identity. Not all drivers may be eligible for the online option — eligibility can depend on the type of license you hold and other factors on your record.

In Person at a ServiceOntario Location

Any ServiceOntario location can process an address change. You'll need to bring your current Ontario driver's license. This option is available to all license holders regardless of license class or record status.

By Phone

Some address updates can be handled by calling ServiceOntario directly. This option is generally more limited and may not be available in all circumstances.

What You'll Need

For most address changes in Ontario, you don't need to bring extensive documentation — your driver's license number and identity verification are typically sufficient. However, if you're also updating other records (like vehicle registration), additional documents may be required for those separately.

Important: Changing your driver's license address and changing your vehicle registration address are two separate processes in Ontario. Moving doesn't automatically update both — each has to be handled individually.

Timing: When You're Required to Update

Ontario sets a window within which you're expected to notify the MTO after a move. The specific number of days is defined by provincial regulation, and it's worth confirming the current requirement directly with ServiceOntario, as administrative requirements can change. What's consistent is that the obligation exists — it's not optional or open-ended.

License Class and How It Affects the Process 🚗

Ontario uses a graduated licensing system with multiple license classes:

• G1 and G2 — learner and intermediate licenses in the standard graduated system
• G — full standard license
• M, M1, M2 — motorcycle classes
• A through F — commercial vehicle classes

The address change process itself is generally the same regardless of class, but commercial license holders (Class A through F) may have additional considerations tied to their records, especially if they hold a CVOR (Commercial Vehicle Operator's Registration) or have federal medical certification requirements attached to their license. Those elements are governed by different rules than a standard personal license address update.

What Doesn't Change When You Update Your Address

Updating your address does not:

• Extend or reset your license expiration date
• Remove or change demerit points on your record
• Affect any active suspensions or conditions on your license
• Transfer your vehicle registration — that's a separate update
• Change your health card address — also handled separately through OHIP

The Gap Between General Process and Your Specific Situation

Ontario's address change process is more straightforward than many jurisdictions, but your specific circumstances — your license class, whether you have any conditions or suspensions on your record, whether you also need to update vehicle registration, and whether you want a physical replacement card — all shape what steps actually apply to you. ServiceOntario's current requirements, fees, and online eligibility rules are the authoritative source for what applies to your situation right now.