The fastest way to renew in Ontario
You can renew your Ontario driver's license online through ServiceOntario, by mail, or in person at a ServiceOntario office. Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and costs $90 for a five-year license or $158 for an eight-year license. You'll need your current license number, a valid email address, and a payment method (debit or credit card). The renewed license arrives by mail in about two weeks.
If you can't renew online — because your license is expired by more than three years, or you need to update your photo or personal information — you must renew in person or by mail. In-person renewal at a ServiceOntario office takes about 30 minutes and you leave with a temporary paper license the same day. Mail renewal takes four to six weeks and requires you to send in your current license along with a completed form.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through ServiceOntario is the quickest option if your license expired less than three years ago, and you don't need to change your photo or address.
- In-person renewal at a ServiceOntario office lets you walk out with a temporary license on the same day, even if your license is long expired.
- Mail renewal requires you to send your current license and a completed form (DL 44) to ServiceOntario, and takes four to six weeks.
- You'll need proof of identity and residence if you're renewing in person and your address has changed since your last license.
Renewing online through ServiceOntario
Go to ontario.ca/driversandvehicles and select "Renew your driver's license online." You'll be asked to enter your license number, date of birth, and postal code. ServiceOntario will verify your information against its records. If everything matches, you'll pay the renewal fee by debit or credit card and receive a confirmation number by email.
Online renewal is only available if your license has been expired for three years or less, your photo is still current (less than 10 years old), and you don't need to change your name, address, or medical information. If any of these don't explore to you, you'll be directed to renew by mail or in person instead.
After you pay online, your new license is printed and mailed to the address on file. You can continue driving on your current license until the new one arrives. If you need to drive before it arrives and your license has expired, you can print a temporary document from your ServiceOntario account that's valid for 30 days.
Renewing in person at a ServiceOntario office
Find your nearest ServiceOntario office on ontario.ca/serviceontario. You can book an appointment online or call 1-800-387-3556 to book by phone. Walk-ins are accepted, but appointments are faster and you won't wait as long. Bring your current driver's license, proof of identity (passport, birth certificate, or citizenship certificate), and proof of your current address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last three months).
If your address has changed since your last license was issued, you must bring proof of your new address. If your name has changed, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or legal name change document. The ServiceOntario staff member will take a new photo, verify your information, and process your renewal on the spot.
You'll pay the renewal fee in cash, by debit card, or by credit card. You'll receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days, and your permanent license arrives by mail in about two weeks. If your license is expired and you need to drive before your appointment, the temporary license lets you drive legally.
Renewing by mail
read or request the renewal form (DL 44) from ontario.ca/driversandvehicles. Fill it out completely, including your current license number, date of birth, and signature. Include a cheque or money order for the renewal fee made out to "Ontario Ministry of Finance." Do not send cash.
Mail your completed form, current license, and payment to the address listed on the form (it's in Toronto). Include a photocopy of proof of your current address if your address has changed. ServiceOntario will process your renewal and mail your new license to you. The whole process takes four to six weeks from the day they receive your package.
Mail renewal is slower than in-person or online, but it's an option if you can't visit an office or access the online system. If you need to drive while your license is expired and you're waiting for your renewal by mail, you cannot legally drive — there's no temporary license issued for mail renewals.
What happens if your license is expired by more than three years
If your license has been expired for more than three years, you cannot renew online. You must renew in person at a ServiceOntario office or by mail. In-person renewal is faster — you'll have a temporary license the same day — but both routes require the same documents: your expired license, proof of identity, and proof of your current address.
The renewal fee is the same whether your license expired last month or five years ago. You don't have to retake the written test or the road test unless ServiceOntario has reason to believe your driving knowledge or ability has changed (for example, if you've had a medical condition develop). In most cases, a straightforward renewal is all that's needed.
Updating your photo or personal information during renewal
If you need a new photo because your current one is more than 10 years old, or if you've changed your name or address, you must renew in person or by mail — online renewal won't be an option. In-person renewal is the best choice because the ServiceOntario staff member will take your new photo and update your information on the spot.
Bring your current license, proof of identity, and proof of your new address (if your address has changed). If your name has changed, bring the legal document that proves it (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or name change certificate). The staff member will verify everything, take your photo, and process the renewal when ready. You'll leave with a temporary license and receive your permanent license by mail in about two weeks.
Fees and payment methods
A five-year driver's license costs $90 to renew. An eight-year license costs $158. These are the only two options available in Ontario. You cannot choose a one-year or three-year license — renewal is always for either five or eight years.
Payment methods depend on how you renew. Online renewal accepts debit and credit cards only. In-person renewal accepts cash, debit, and credit cards. Mail renewal requires a cheque or money order — do not send cash through the mail. ServiceOntario does not accept post-dated cheques.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it's been expired for more than a year?
Yes. You can renew by mail or in person at any time after your license expires, no matter how long ago that was. If it's been expired for more than three years, you cannot renew online — you must choose mail or in-person renewal instead.
What if I've moved and my address on file is wrong?
Bring proof of your new address to your in-person appointment (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last three months). If you're renewing by mail, include a photocopy of your proof of address with your form. If you're renewing online and your address has changed, you'll need to renew in person or by mail instead.
How long does it take to get my license after I renew?
Online and in-person renewals take about two weeks for the license to arrive by mail. Mail renewal takes four to six weeks from the day ServiceOntario receives your package. In-person renewal also gives you a temporary paper license valid for 30 days, so you can drive legally while you wait.
Do I need a new photo if my license is still current?
No. If your photo is less than 10 years old and you're renewing online or by mail, you don't need a new photo. If you're renewing in person and your photo is current, you can ask the ServiceOntario staff member not to take a new one — they'll use your existing photo.
What if I lost my current license?
You cannot renew a license you don't have. You'll need to request a replacement license instead, which is a different process. Contact ServiceOntario at 1-800-387-3556 or visit ontario.ca/driversandvehicles for information about replacing a lost or stolen license.