How to Renew Your Ontario Driver's License

Where to renew and what you need before you start

You can renew your Ontario driver's license in person at a ServiceOntario office, by mail, or online through the ServiceOntario website — but not all three routes are open to you depending on how close you are to your expiry date and whether your license has restrictions or medical conditions attached to it. The fastest route is online if you are may be able to access, which takes about 10 minutes and costs $90 for a five-year license or $158 for an eight-year license. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks and costs the same. In-person renewal at a ServiceOntario office is the only option if your license has medical conditions, if you need a new photo, or if you are renewing more than one year after expiry.

Before you choose a method, gather your current Ontario driver's license, a valid piece of identification (passport, birth certificate, or citizenship certificate), and proof of your current Ontario address — a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last three months. If you are renewing online or by mail, you will also need a valid credit card or debit card to pay the fee. Have your license number and the date of birth from your license in front of you when you start.

Key Takeaways

Online renewal through ServiceOntario.ca takes about 10 minutes and is available if your license expires within the next 12 months and has no medical conditions or restrictions.
Mail renewal takes two to three weeks and uses the same form you would fill out in person, mailed to the address ServiceOntario provides on their website.
In-person renewal at a ServiceOntario office is required if your license has medical conditions, if you need a new photo, or if it expired more than one year ago.
You need your current license, one piece of valid ID, and proof of your Ontario address — all gathered before you start the process.
Renewal fees are $90 for a five-year license or $158 for an eight-year license, paid by credit or debit card online and by mail, or cash, debit, or card in person.

Renewing online through ServiceOntario

Go to ServiceOntario.ca and select "Renew a driver's license" from the homepage. You will be asked to enter your driver's license number and date of birth. The system will then tell you whether you are may be able to access for online renewal — you are may be able to access only if your license expires within the next 12 months, you have no medical conditions or restrictions on your license, and your address on file with ServiceOntario matches your current address. If the system says you are not may be able to access, you will be directed to mail or in-person renewal instead.

If you are may be able to access, the system will show you your current license information and ask you to confirm it is correct. Review the name, date of birth, and address carefully — if any of these are wrong, you cannot complete the online renewal and must go in person to a ServiceOntario office to correct them first. Once you confirm the information, you will be asked to pay the renewal fee by credit or debit card. Your new license will be mailed to your address on file within 10 business days.

Renewing by mail

read the driver's license renewal form (Form DL 44) from the ServiceOntario website or call 1-800-387-3445 to request it be mailed to you. Fill out the form completely — print clearly in black or blue ink, and sign it in the signature box. Do not sign it before you mail it; ServiceOntario staff will tell you if your signature is invalid and ask you to resubmit. Include a photocopy of one piece of valid ID (passport, birth certificate, or citizenship certificate) and a photocopy of proof of your current Ontario address.

Mail the completed form, photocopies, and a cheque or money order for the renewal fee to the address listed on the form itself — this address changes depending on which region you live in, so check the form before you mail anything. Keep a copy of everything you send. Your new license will arrive by mail in two to three weeks. If ServiceOntario finds an error on your form, they will contact you by mail and ask you to resubmit the corrected page, which adds another two to three weeks to the timeline.

Renewing in person at a ServiceOntario office

Find your nearest ServiceOntario office on the ServiceOntario website by entering your postal code. Most offices are open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., though some have extended hours on certain days. You do not need to book an appointment — walk-in service is available, but wait times vary by location and time of day. Bring your current Ontario driver's license, one piece of valid ID, proof of your current Ontario address, and your payment method (cash, debit card, or credit card).

Tell the staff member at the counter that you are renewing your driver's license. They will review your documents, take a new photo if your license is more than five years old or if you request one, and process your payment. Your new license will be mailed to your address on file within 10 business days. If you need your license the same day — for example, if you are traveling — ask the staff member whether they can issue a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while you wait for the permanent one to arrive.

What happens if your license has expired more than one year ago

If your license expired more than one year ago, you cannot renew it — you must reapply for a new license as though you were getting one for the first time. This means you will need to pass a vision test and a written knowledge test, and you may need to take a road test depending on how long ago your license expired and what class of license you held. You must do this in person at a ServiceOntario office; there is no mail or online option for reapplication.

Contact ServiceOntario at 1-800-387-3445 or visit a ServiceOntario office to find out what tests you will need to take. The staff member can tell you whether you need the written test, the road test, or both based on your specific situation. Bring your original documents (birth certificate, proof of citizenship, or passport) and proof of your Ontario address, as well as payment for the reapplication fee, which is higher than a standard renewal.

If your license has medical conditions or restrictions

If your license shows medical conditions — such as a requirement to wear corrective lenses, a hearing aid, or hand controls — you cannot renew online or by mail. You must renew in person at a ServiceOntario office. The staff member will ask whether your medical condition has changed since your license was issued. If it has not changed and your doctor's certificate is still valid, the renewal will proceed as a standard in-person renewal.

If your medical condition has changed or your doctor's certificate has expired, you will need to bring a new medical report from your doctor before ServiceOntario can renew your license. Ask your doctor for a "Driver Medical Report" form — ServiceOntario can provide the form number if you call 1-800-387-3445. Your doctor will complete the form and sign it, and you will bring it to the ServiceOntario office along with your other documents. This may delay your renewal by one to two weeks while you wait for your doctor's appointment and the completed form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if I have moved and my address is not updated with ServiceOntario?

If you are renewing online, the system will reject you because your address on file does not match your current address. You must renew in person or by mail instead. Bring proof of your new Ontario address to the ServiceOntario office, or include a photocopy with your mail renewal form. ServiceOntario will update your address during the renewal process.

What if I lose my license before the new one arrives?

Contact ServiceOntario at 1-800-387-3445 or visit a ServiceOntario office in person to report it lost. You can request a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while you wait for your renewed license to arrive. If your renewed license arrives during those 30 days, use the new one; if not, you can request another temporary license.

How long does my new license take to arrive if I renew in person?

Your new license will be mailed to your address on file within 10 business days of your in-person renewal. If you need to drive before it arrives, ask the ServiceOntario staff member whether they can issue a temporary paper license valid for 30 days.

Can I change my name or photo during renewal?

You can request a new photo during in-person renewal at any ServiceOntario office. To change your name, you must bring legal proof of the name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order) to the office. Online and mail renewal do not allow name changes — you must go in person.

What if ServiceOntario rejects my mail renewal form?

ServiceOntario will contact you by mail if there is an error on your form or missing documents. They will explain what needs to be corrected and ask you to resubmit. This adds two to three weeks to your renewal timeline. To avoid rejection, print clearly, sign in the correct box, and include photocopies of all required documents.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.