You renew a G2 license in Ontario by visiting a ServiceOntario office, submitting your current license and proof of identity, and paying the renewal fee — the process takes about 15 minutes and gives you five more years of validity.

A G2 license is Ontario's intermediate driving license, valid for five years from the date it was issued. When your G2 is about to expire or has already expired, you must renew it at a ServiceOntario office in person. You cannot renew online, by mail, or by phone. The renewal itself does not require a road test or written exam — you straightforward present your documents, pay the fee, and receive a new card.

The five-year renewal period is fixed by Ontario law and applies to all G2 holders. You can renew up to 90 days before your expiry date, which means you do not have to wait until the last moment. If your license has already expired, you can still renew it at any ServiceOntario office, though driving with an expired license is illegal.

Key Takeaways

  • You must renew your G2 in person at a ServiceOntario office; online and mail renewal are not available for G2 licenses.
  • Bring your current G2 license, a valid piece of photo ID (such as a passport or birth certificate plus another ID), and payment for the renewal fee.
  • The renewal fee varies slightly by region but is typically around $90 to $95 for a five-year G2 renewal.
  • You can renew up to 90 days before your expiry date, and the new license will be valid for five years from the date you renew it.
  • If your G2 has expired, you can still renew it without retaking the written test or road test, as long as it has not been expired for more than a certain period.

What documents you need to bring

When you go to ServiceOntario to renew your G2, bring your current G2 license card itself. ServiceOntario staff will scan it and use it to pull up your record. If your license is lost, stolen, or damaged beyond recognition, tell the staff member when you arrive — you may be able to renew anyway, but the process takes longer because they will need to verify your identity through other means.

You also need one piece of government-issued photo ID. A valid passport is the strongest option. If you do not have a passport, bring your birth certificate or citizenship certificate plus one additional piece of ID with your name on it — a credit card, bank card, or utility bill works. ServiceOntario staff will tell you on the phone if you are unsure whether your documents are acceptable.

Bring payment for the renewal fee. ServiceOntario accepts cash, debit, and credit cards. The fee for a five-year G2 renewal is set by the province and does not vary by location, though some ServiceOntario offices may charge a small service fee on top of the base renewal cost. Call ahead to confirm the exact amount at your local office.

Where to renew and how long it takes

ServiceOntario has about 160 offices across the province. You can renew at any of them — you do not have to go to the office closest to your home or the one where you originally got your G2. Find the nearest office and its hours on the ServiceOntario website by entering your postal code. Many offices are located inside government buildings, shopping centres, or standalone ServiceOntario locations.

Walk-in service is available at most offices, but wait times vary widely depending on the time of day and day of the week. Early mornings on weekdays are usually quieter than afternoons or weekends. Some offices allow you to book an appointment online, which reserves your spot and reduces wait time. Check the ServiceOntario website for your local office to see if appointments are available.

The renewal itself takes about 15 minutes once you reach the counter. The staff member will verify your documents, scan your current license, take a new photo if your license photo is more than 10 years old, process the payment, and print your new license on the spot. You leave with your new G2 card in hand.

When your G2 expires and what happens if you drive with an expired license

Your G2 license shows an expiry date on the front of the card. That date is five years from the day you received your G2. You can renew starting 90 days before that date. If you renew before the expiry date, your new license is valid for five years from the date you renew it, not from the original expiry date.

If your G2 expires and you continue to drive, you are breaking the law. Police can stop you, and you can be charged with driving with an expired license. The fine for this offence varies but can be substantial, and it may affect your insurance rates. If you are involved in an accident while driving with an expired license, your insurance may refuse to cover the damage.

If your G2 has expired, you can still renew it without retaking any tests. However, if your license has been expired for a very long time — typically more than three to five years — ServiceOntario may require you to pass the written test again or may treat it as a new process rather than a renewal. Call ServiceOntario before you go in to confirm whether your expired license can be renewed or whether you need to reapply.

Renewing before your G2 expires versus after

Renewing before your expiry date is simpler and faster. You walk in with your current valid license, and the process is straightforward. Your new license is issued when ready, and you drive home with it. There is no gap in your driving privileges, and you avoid any risk of accidentally driving with an expired license.

If you renew after your G2 has expired, the process is the same at the counter, but you are now driving illegally until you complete the renewal. If you are stopped by police during that time, you face a fine. Additionally, if your license has been expired for a long time, ServiceOntario may ask you to retake the written test or may require you to reapply from scratch, which would mean starting over with a G1 and going through the full licensing process again.

The safest approach is to renew during the 90-day window before your expiry date. Mark your calendar when you receive your G2 so you know when that window opens. Many people set a phone reminder for 100 days before expiry to give themselves time to book an appointment or plan a visit to ServiceOntario.

What happens if your license is damaged or lost

If your G2 is damaged — cracked, faded, or unreadable — you can still renew it. Bring it with you to ServiceOntario. The staff member will assess whether it is damaged enough to require a replacement. If it is, they will process a replacement renewal, which costs the same as a regular renewal and gives you a new card valid for five years.

If your G2 is lost or stolen, you cannot renew it in the normal way because ServiceOntario needs to scan your current card to pull up your record. Instead, you must report it lost or stolen and request a replacement. This is a separate transaction from renewal and may cost more than a standard renewal. Call ServiceOntario before you visit to understand the exact process and fees for your situation.

If you lose your G2 and your license is not yet expired, renew it as soon as you can. The sooner you have a new card in hand, the sooner you have proof of a valid license if you are stopped by police. If your G2 is stolen, consider reporting it to police as well, in case someone tries to use it fraudulently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my G2 online or by mail?

No. G2 renewal must be done in person at a ServiceOntario office. You cannot renew online, by mail, or by phone. You must visit an office with your current license and ID.

What if I let my G2 expire more than a year ago?

If your G2 has been expired for a very long time, ServiceOntario may require you to retake the written test or may ask you to reapply as a new driver. Call ServiceOntario before you visit to confirm whether you can renew or whether you need to restart the licensing process.

Do I need to take a road test or written test to renew my G2?

No. Renewing a G2 does not require any test. You straightforward present your documents and pay the fee. The road test is only required when you upgrade from G2 to G.

How much does it cost to renew a G2 for five years?

The renewal fee is set by the province and is typically around $90 to $95. Some ServiceOntario offices may add a small service fee. Call your local office to confirm the exact amount before you visit.

Can I renew my G2 if I have unpaid traffic fines or demerit points?

Yes. Unpaid fines or demerit points do not prevent you from renewing your license. However, unpaid fines may result in other legal consequences, and demerit points may affect your insurance rates. Renewal and discipline are separate processes.