Yes, you can renew after expiry, but ServiceOntario charges a late fee and your license is not valid to drive until you complete the renewal
An expired Ontario driver's license cannot be used for driving. If your license has already expired, you can still renew it through ServiceOntario, but you will pay a late renewal fee in addition to the standard renewal cost. The fee structure and the steps you take depend on how long ago your license expired and which renewal method you choose.
You do not lose your right to hold a license straightforward because it has lapsed. However, driving with an expired license is illegal in Ontario, and police can stop you and issue a ticket. The sooner you renew, the sooner you can legally drive again.
Key Takeaways
- An expired Ontario license cannot be used to drive, and you will face a fine if stopped by police while driving with an expired license.
- ServiceOntario charges a late renewal fee on top of the standard renewal fee when you renew after expiry.
- You can renew online through ServiceOntario's website, by mail, or in person at a ServiceOntario office, depending on how long your license has been expired.
- If your license expired more than two years ago, you may need to pass a vision test and provide additional documents when you renew in person.
- Renewal by mail takes longer than online or in-person renewal, so choose based on your timeline and which documents you have ready.
How long you have been expired determines your renewal method
ServiceOntario divides expired licenses into two categories: recently expired and long-term expired. If your license expired less than two years ago, you can renew online or by mail without additional testing. If it expired more than two years ago, you must renew in person at a ServiceOntario office and may need to pass a vision test.
The reason for this distinction is that Ontario treats a license expired for more than two years as a significant lapse in driving status. The province wants to confirm that you can still see well enough to drive safely before issuing a new license. This is not a full road test — it is a vision screening only — but it does require you to show up in person.
Online renewal for licenses expired less than two years
If your license expired within the last two years, you can renew online through the ServiceOntario website. You will need your driver's license number, your date of birth, and a valid payment method (debit card or credit card). The online process takes about 10 to 15 minutes and you can do it from home.
After you complete the online renewal and pay the fee (which includes the late renewal fee), ServiceOntario will mail your new license to the address on file. Delivery typically takes 10 to 15 business days. During this time, you cannot legally drive. If you need to drive before your new license arrives, you will need to renew in person at a ServiceOntario office to receive a temporary paper license on the same day.
In-person renewal at a ServiceOntario office
You can renew in person at any ServiceOntario office regardless of how long your license has been expired. Bring your expired license, proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last three months), and a valid payment method. If your license expired more than two years ago, also bring a piece of government-issued photo identification such as a passport.
When you renew in person, you will complete a vision test as part of the process. If your license expired more than two years ago, this test is mandatory. If it expired less than two years ago, ServiceOntario staff may still ask you to take the test depending on your age and the reason for renewal. If you pass the vision test, you will receive a temporary paper license that day and your permanent license will arrive by mail within 10 to 15 business days.
ServiceOntario offices do not require an appointment for license renewal, but wait times vary by location and time of day. You can check wait times on the ServiceOntario website before you go. Offices are typically less busy early in the morning and on weekday afternoons.
Renewal by mail for licenses expired less than two years
You can also renew by mail if your license expired within the last two years. You will need to complete the renewal form (available on the ServiceOntario website or at any ServiceOntario office), include a photocopy of your expired license, and mail everything along with a cheque or money order to the address listed on the form. Do not send cash through the mail.
Mail renewal takes longer than online or in-person renewal — typically three to four weeks from the time ServiceOntario receives your package. This method is useful if you do not have access to a computer or prefer not to go to an office, but it means you cannot drive legally during the entire wait period. If you need to drive sooner, choose online or in-person renewal instead.
Late renewal fees and total cost
The late renewal fee is added to your standard renewal fee when you renew after expiry. The exact amounts vary depending on your license class and how long it has been expired, but the late fee is typically in the range of $20 to $50 on top of the base renewal cost. You can find the current fee schedule on the ServiceOntario website.
If you renew in person and need a temporary paper license to drive when ready, there may be an additional small fee for the temporary license itself. Ask the ServiceOntario staff member when you arrive what the total cost will be so you bring enough payment method capacity.
What happens if your license expired more than five years ago
If your license has been expired for more than five years, ServiceOntario treats it as a lapsed license rather than a straightforward renewal. You will need to renew in person and pass a vision test. You may also need to provide additional documentation such as proof of residency and a government-issued photo ID. In some cases, you may be asked to retake a written knowledge test or a road test, though this depends on your age and driving history.
Contact ServiceOntario directly before you go to an office if your license expired more than five years ago. Staff can tell you exactly what documents and tests you will need so you do not make a wasted trip. You can reach ServiceOntario by phone at 1-800-387-3556 or through the website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my renewal is being processed?
No. Your expired license is not valid for driving at any point during the renewal process. If you renew online or by mail, you cannot drive until your new license arrives. If you renew in person, you can drive when ready with your temporary paper license. If you need to drive before your renewal is complete, renew in person to get the temporary license on the same day.
What if I lost my expired license and do not have it to renew?
You can still renew without your expired license, but you will need to provide additional identification. Bring a government-issued photo ID such as a passport, and proof of your current address. You can renew online, by mail, or in person depending on how long your license has been expired. If you renew online or by mail, you will need to answer security questions to verify your identity.
Do I have to pay the late fee if I renew right after my license expires?
Yes. ServiceOntario charges the late renewal fee as soon as your license expires, regardless of how quickly you renew after that date. The fee applies to any renewal completed after the expiry date on your license. There is no grace period.
Can I renew my license if I have unpaid traffic fines or other debts?
Unpaid traffic fines do not prevent you from renewing your license. However, if you have unpaid fines, you may face other consequences such as license suspension through a separate process. Contact ServiceOntario or the court that issued the fine to understand your situation. Renewing your license and resolving outstanding fines are separate matters.
How do I know if my license expired more than two years ago?
Check the expiry date printed on your expired license. If that date is more than two years in the past from today, your license falls into the long-term expired category and you must renew in person. You can also call ServiceOntario at 1-800-387-3556 and provide your license number to confirm which renewal method applies to you.