Yes, you can renew your Ontario driver's license online if you meet the requirements
ServiceOntario lets you renew your driver's license through their website without visiting a service centre, but only if your license is still valid and you haven't had certain changes to your health or personal information. The online process takes about 10 minutes, costs $90 for a five-year renewal, and you'll receive your new license by mail within 10 business days.
If your license has expired, you've had a name change, or you need to update your address, you'll need to renew in person or by mail instead. The online system can only handle renewals where everything on your record stays the same.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through ServiceOntario works only if your current license is still valid and you haven't changed your name, address, or health information since it was issued.
- The online process costs $90 for a five-year renewal and takes about 10 minutes to complete on a computer or phone.
- You'll need your current Ontario driver's license number, your date of birth, and a valid payment method (debit card, credit card, or online banking) to renew online.
- Your new license arrives by mail within 10 business days; you can continue driving with your current license until the new one arrives.
- If you can't renew online, you can renew by mail or in person at a ServiceOntario office, though mail renewal takes longer.
Who can renew online and who cannot
You can renew online if your driver's license is currently valid (not expired), you have no changes to report, and you're renewing for the standard five-year term. You cannot renew online if your license has already expired, if you've changed your name, if you need to update your address, if you've had changes to your vision or medical condition, or if you're renewing for a different term length (such as a one-year or two-year renewal).
If you're unsure whether you meet the requirements, the ServiceOntario website has a tool that asks a few questions about your situation and tells you which renewal method is available to you. This takes less than a minute and saves you from starting the online process only to find out partway through that you're not may be able to access.
What you need before you start
Gather these items before you begin the online renewal: your current Ontario driver's license (you'll need the license number printed on it), your date of birth, and a valid payment method. ServiceOntario accepts Visa, Mastercard, debit cards, and online banking transfers. You'll also need an email address where ServiceOntario can send you a confirmation receipt.
Have your license in front of you when you start, because you'll enter your license number and date of birth to confirm your identity. ServiceOntario does not ask for your Social Insurance Number or other sensitive information during online renewal.
The step-by-step online renewal process
Go to the ServiceOntario website and select "Renew your driver's license online." You'll be asked to enter your Ontario driver's license number and date of birth. ServiceOntario uses this information to pull up your record and confirm you're may be able to access to renew online. If you're not may be able to access, the system will tell you when ready and direct you to the in-person or mail renewal process.
If you're may be able to access, you'll review your personal information on file — your name, address, and date of birth. If any of this information is incorrect, stop and renew by mail or in person instead, because you cannot update it through the online process. Once you've confirmed everything is correct, you'll answer a few health-related questions (for example, whether your vision has changed or whether you have any medical conditions that affect your driving). Answer honestly; these questions determine whether you need an in-person medical review.
Next, you'll choose your renewal term (five years is the standard option) and review the fee. Enter your payment information and confirm your email address. ServiceOntario will send you a receipt to that email when ready after payment is processed. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 10 business days.
What happens after you pay
Once your payment goes through, ServiceOntario sends you a confirmation email with a receipt number. Keep this email — you may need the receipt number if you have questions about your renewal. You can continue driving with your current license while you wait for the new one to arrive.
Your new license arrives by regular mail, not courier. If you don't receive it within 10 business days, contact ServiceOntario through their website or call 1-800-387-3445. Have your receipt number ready when you call. Once your new license arrives, your old one is no longer valid, even if it hasn't expired yet.
If you cannot renew online
If the online tool tells you that you're not may be able to access, you have two other options: renew by mail or renew in person at a ServiceOntario office. Mail renewal takes four to six weeks and requires you to print and mail a form along with your current license and payment. In-person renewal is faster — you can usually complete it the same day you visit — but requires you to go to a service centre during their hours.
If your license has expired, you must renew in person or by mail; you cannot renew online. If you've changed your name, you'll need to provide legal proof of the name change (such as a marriage certificate or court order) along with your renewal, which is why the online process doesn't work for name changes.
Common reasons the online process won't work
The most common reason people can't renew online is that their license has already expired. Once your license expires, you must renew in person or by mail. Another common reason is an address change — if you've moved since your license was issued, you need to update your address through the in-person or mail process.
Health or vision changes also block online renewal. If you've had eye surgery, been diagnosed with a condition that affects your driving, or started taking medication that might affect your ability to drive, you'll need to renew in person so a ServiceOntario staff member can review your situation. This doesn't mean you'll lose your license; it means your renewal needs a human review rather than an automated one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew online if my license expired more than a year ago?
No. Once your license expires, you cannot renew online. You must renew in person at a ServiceOntario office or by mail. If you've been driving on an expired license, you should renew as soon as possible, because driving without a valid license is illegal.
What if I move before my new license arrives?
Contact ServiceOntario with your new address before your license ships. If it's already in the mail, it will arrive at your old address. You can pick it up from whoever lives there, or contact ServiceOntario to have it reissued to your new address (this may involve an additional fee).
Do I need to take a new photo for online renewal?
No. Online renewal uses the photo from your current license. Your new license will have the same photo unless you choose to have a new one taken, which requires in-person renewal.
Can I renew online if I have a G1 or G2 license?
No. Online renewal is only for full G licenses. If you have a G1 or G2, you must renew in person at a ServiceOntario office, because you may need to take a road test or written test depending on your license class and how long you've held it.
What if my payment fails during online renewal?
ServiceOntario will tell you when ready if your payment didn't go through. You can try again with the same payment method or use a different one. Your personal information won't be saved, so you'll need to start the process over from the beginning.