What you need to know about Ontario driver's licenses
An Ontario driver's license is issued by ServiceOntario and comes in two main types: a Class G license for regular driving, and a Class G2 license if you are a new driver working toward a full license. The process differs depending on whether you are getting your first license, renewing an expired one, or upgrading from G2 to G. You will need to pass a written test, a vision test, and a road test before you can drive legally in Ontario — though the road test is waived if you already hold a valid license from another province or country.
The entire process typically takes several weeks from start to finish, partly because ServiceOntario offices have limited appointment availability and partly because you must wait a set number of months between each test. You cannot rush through the steps, but you can prepare in advance so that when your appointment arrives, you are ready.
Key Takeaways
- Ontario driver's licenses are issued by ServiceOntario, and you must book an appointment in advance — you cannot walk in.
- New drivers must pass a written test, vision test, and road test in that order, with mandatory waiting periods between each one.
- If you already hold a valid driver's license from another province or country, you may not need to take the road test again.
- Renewal by mail or online is available if your license is not expired by more than one year and you have no medical conditions affecting your driving.
- You will need proof of identity, proof of residency, and a vision test result from an optometrist or eye doctor before your appointment.
Getting your first Ontario driver's license as a new driver
If you have never held a driver's license, you start with a Class G2 license. This is a probationary license that comes with restrictions: you cannot drive alone at night (between midnight and 5 a.m.), you cannot drive with passengers under 20 years old unless a fully licensed driver is with you, and you must display an "L" plate on your vehicle. You must hold a G2 for at least 12 months before you can take the road test for a full Class G license.
Your first step is to book an appointment at a ServiceOntario office to take the written knowledge test. You will need to bring proof of identity (such as a passport or birth certificate), proof of Ontario residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and a completed process form (DL 44). You can read the form from the ServiceOntario website or pick one up at the office. The written test covers road signs, traffic laws, and safe driving practices. You must score at least 80 percent to pass.
Once you pass the written test, you receive your G2 license on the spot. You then need to book a separate appointment for a vision test at a ServiceOntario office or an optometrist's office. This test checks your eyesight and colour blindness. If you fail, you may be referred to an eye doctor for a full examination.
Taking the road test for a full Class G license
After holding your G2 for at least 12 months, you can book a road test appointment. The road test lasts about 40 minutes and takes place on public roads near the ServiceOntario office. You must bring your G2 license, proof of insurance, and a vehicle that is registered, insured, and in safe working condition. A ServiceOntario examiner will sit in the passenger seat and watch you perform basic driving tasks: lane changes, parking, stopping at intersections, and handling different road conditions.
The examiner is looking for safe driving habits, not perfection. Common reasons people fail include failing to check mirrors, not signalling, speeding, or hitting a curb during parking. If you fail, you can book another road test appointment, but you must wait at least two weeks before trying again. You can take the road test as many times as you need.
If you pass, your G2 is upgraded to a full Class G license on the spot. A Class G license has no restrictions and is valid for five years.
Transferring a license from another province or country
If you already hold a valid driver's license from another Canadian province, the United States, or most other countries, you do not need to take the road test again. Instead, you can exchange your license for an Ontario one by visiting a ServiceOntario office in person. You will need to bring your current license, proof of Ontario residency, and a completed process form (DL 44).
You will still need to pass a vision test and a written knowledge test about Ontario-specific traffic laws. The written test is shorter than the one new drivers take and focuses on Ontario road signs and regulations. You must score at least 80 percent to pass. Once you pass both tests, your out-of-province license is exchanged for an Ontario Class G license.
If your out-of-province license is expired, you may still be able to exchange it, but the rules vary depending on which province or country issued it. Contact ServiceOntario before your appointment to confirm whether your expired license can be exchanged.
Renewing an Ontario driver's license
If your Ontario license is still valid or expired by less than one year, you can renew it by mail, online, or in person. Renewal by mail or online is the fastest option and takes about two weeks. You do not need to take any tests or visit an office unless your license has been expired for more than one year, you have a medical condition affecting your driving, or ServiceOntario asks you to renew in person.
To renew by mail, you will receive a renewal notice in the mail about three months before your license expires. The notice includes a prepaid envelope and instructions. You fill out the form, include a new photo (which you can take yourself at home using a smartphone, following the photo requirements on the ServiceOntario website), and mail it back. Your new license arrives by mail within two weeks.
To renew online, visit the ServiceOntario website, log in with your Ontario ID or a government-issued digital ID, and follow the steps. You will upload a new photo and pay the renewal fee online. Your new license is mailed to you. Online renewal is faster than mail renewal and costs the same.
If your license has been expired for more than one year, you must renew in person at a ServiceOntario office. You will need to pass a vision test and a written knowledge test before your license is renewed. This process is similar to transferring a license from another province.
Documents you need and where to get them
Before your appointment, gather the following documents. You will need proof of identity — a passport, birth certificate, or citizenship certificate. You will also need proof of Ontario residency — a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or property tax assessment, all dated within the last three months. If you do not have these, a letter from your employer or a bank statement can work, though ServiceOntario prefers official documents.
You will need a vision test result from an optometrist or eye doctor. This result is valid for one year. You can have the vision test done at a ServiceOntario office during your appointment, or you can have it done beforehand at an optometrist's office and bring the result with you. If you have the test done beforehand, you save time at your appointment.
You will also need a completed process form (DL 44 for new drivers or DL 44E for renewals). read the form from the ServiceOntario website, print it, and fill it out by hand before your appointment. Bring the completed form with you. If you are taking a road test, you will also need proof of insurance and a vehicle to test in.
Booking your ServiceOntario appointment
ServiceOntario does not accept walk-in customers for driver's license services. You must book an appointment online or by phone. To book online, visit the ServiceOntario website, select "Driver and Vehicle Services," and choose your nearest office. You will see available appointment times for the next several weeks. Select the time that works for you and confirm your booking. You will receive a confirmation email with your appointment details.
To book by phone, call ServiceOntario at 1-800-387-3556. A representative will ask you what service you need (written test, vision test, road test, or renewal) and your preferred office location. They will give you available times and book your appointment. Wait times to speak with a representative can be long, especially during busy seasons, so booking online is usually faster.
Arrive at your appointment 15 minutes early with all required documents. If you miss your appointment without cancelling, you will need to book a new one, and available slots may not open up for several weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an Ontario driver's license cost?
A Class G2 license costs around $158, and upgrading from G2 to Class G costs around $80. A five-year Class G renewal costs around $158. Fees vary slightly and may change, so check the ServiceOntario website for current pricing before your appointment. You pay the fee at your appointment by debit, credit card, or cash.
Can I drive with a G2 license if I have an adult in the car?
No. A G2 license comes with passenger restrictions: you cannot drive with passengers under 20 years old unless a fully licensed driver (Class G or higher) is with you. You also cannot drive alone between midnight and 5 a.m. These restrictions explore even if an adult is in the car.
What happens if I fail the road test?
You can book another road test appointment and try again. You must wait at least two weeks between attempts. There is no limit to how many times you can take the road test, and you do not lose your G2 license if you fail. You can keep driving with your G2 while you prepare for your next attempt.
Can I renew my license online if it is already expired?
If your license expired less than one year ago, you can renew by mail or online. If it expired more than one year ago, you must renew in person at a ServiceOntario office and pass a vision test and written knowledge test. Check your license to see the expiration date, then contact ServiceOntario to confirm which renewal method applies to you.
Do I need to take a road test if I move to Ontario from another country?
If your license from another country is valid and not expired, you do not need a road test. You exchange your license for an Ontario one by passing a vision test and a written knowledge test about Ontario traffic laws. If your license is expired, contact ServiceOntario before your appointment to find out whether it can still be exchanged.