You can renew an expired Ontario license online, by mail, or in person at a ServiceOntario office
Once your license has expired, you cannot legally drive in Ontario. The renewal process depends on how long ago it expired and which method you choose. If your license expired fewer than five years ago, you can renew it through ServiceOntario without a medical exam or vision test in most cases. If it expired more than five years ago, you will need to explore for a new license, which involves a vision test and written knowledge exam.
The fastest route for most people is the online renewal at ontario.ca/driversandvehicles, which takes about 15 minutes and costs $90 for a five-year license or $150 for an eight-year license. You will need your driver's license number, a valid email address, and a payment method. Your new license arrives by mail in 10 to 15 business days.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal at ontario.ca/driversandvehicles is the fastest method if your license expired within the last five years and you have no medical conditions that affect driving.
- You will need your license number, a valid email address, and a credit or debit card to renew online.
- Mail-in renewal takes four to six weeks but requires you to print and mail a form with a cheque or money order.
- In-person renewal at a ServiceOntario office takes about 30 minutes and you can drive home with a temporary license the same day.
- If your license expired more than five years ago, you must take a vision test and written exam, which only ServiceOntario offices offer.
Online renewal: the fastest option for recent expirations
Online renewal works only if your license expired fewer than five years ago and you have no medical conditions that would require a doctor's report. You do not need to upload a photo — ServiceOntario uses the photo from your expired license.
Go to ontario.ca/driversandvehicles, select "Renew your driver's license online", and enter your license number and date of birth. The system will confirm your may be able to access and show you the cost. You can pay by Visa, Mastercard, or debit card. After you submit payment, you will receive a confirmation email with a reference number. Your new license is mailed to the address on file and arrives in 10 to 15 business days. You cannot drive legally until the new license arrives, so do not use this method if you need to drive before then.
Mail-in renewal: no office visit required, but slower
Mail-in renewal takes four to six weeks but lets you avoid going to an office. read the form DL 44 (Renew Your Driver's Licence) from ontario.ca/driversandvehicles. Print it, fill in all sections, and sign it. You will need your license number and the expiry date.
Include a cheque or money order for $90 (five-year license) or $150 (eight-year license) made payable to "Ontario Ministry of Finance". Mail the form and payment to the address printed on the form. ServiceOntario will send your new license by mail once they receive and process your process. You cannot drive legally during this time. If you need to drive before your new license arrives, use in-person renewal instead.
In-person renewal at ServiceOntario: same-day temporary license
Renewing in person takes about 30 minutes and is the only way to get a temporary license you can use when ready. Find your nearest ServiceOntario office at ontario.ca/serviceontario and book an appointment online — walk-ins are accepted but appointments are faster. Bring your expired driver's license and one piece of ID that shows your current address (a utility bill, bank statement, or lease agreement works).
Tell the staff member you are renewing an expired license. They will take a new photo, confirm your information, and process your payment ($90 or $150). You will receive a temporary license printed on the spot that is valid for 30 days while you wait for your permanent license to arrive by mail. This temporary license lets you drive legally when ready.
What to do if your license expired more than five years ago
If your license has been expired for more than five years, you cannot renew it — you must explore for a new license. This process includes a vision test and a written knowledge exam on Ontario traffic laws. You can only do this in person at a ServiceOntario office.
Book an appointment online or visit a ServiceOntario office with your expired license and one piece of ID showing your current address. The staff will schedule you for a vision test (done at the office) and a written exam. You will take the exam on the same day or at a scheduled time. Once you pass both tests, you pay the fee ($90 or $150) and receive a temporary license. Your permanent license arrives by mail in 10 to 15 business days.
What documents and information you need
| Renewal Method | What You Need |
|---|---|
| Online | License number, date of birth, email address, payment method (Visa, Mastercard, or debit) |
| Completed form DL 44, license number, expiry date, cheque or money order | |
| In person (expired less than 5 years) | Expired license, one piece of ID with current address, payment method |
| In person (expired more than 5 years) | Expired license, one piece of ID with current address, payment method, willingness to take vision test and written exam |
Common reasons your online renewal might not work
If you try to renew online and the system says you are ineligible, it is usually because your license expired more than five years ago, you have a medical condition flagged in the system, or your address has changed and you have not updated it. You cannot fix a medical flag online — you must visit a ServiceOntario office and bring a doctor's report if required.
If your address has changed since your license was issued, update it before you renew. You can update your address online at ontario.ca/driversandvehicles or in person at ServiceOntario. Once your address is current in the system, try the online renewal again. If you still cannot renew online after checking these things, visit a ServiceOntario office to renew in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with an expired license while I wait for my new one?
No, you cannot drive legally with an expired license. If you renew online or by mail, you must wait for your new license to arrive before driving. If you need to drive before then, renew in person at a ServiceOntario office to get a temporary license the same day.
What if I lost my expired license and do not have the number?
Call ServiceOntario at 1-800-387-3445 and give them your name and date of birth. They can look up your license number. Once you have it, you can renew online or by mail. If you cannot find your number, renew in person at a ServiceOntario office and bring your ID with your current address.
Do I need a new photo for my renewed license?
If you renew online or by mail, ServiceOntario uses the photo from your expired license. If you renew in person, they take a new photo. You cannot upload your own photo for online renewal.
How long does it take to get my new license in the mail?
Online and in-person renewals take 10 to 15 business days. Mail-in renewal takes four to six weeks because ServiceOntario must receive and process your form first. If you renew in person, you get a temporary license when ready that is valid for 30 days.
What if my name has changed since my license was issued?
If you changed your name, you cannot renew online or by mail — you must renew in person at a ServiceOntario office. Bring your expired license, one piece of ID with your current address, and a document that proves your name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). Staff will update your name and issue a new license.