Where to get a replacement Ontario driver's licence

You can replace your Ontario driver's licence at a ServiceOntario office or through the mail. ServiceOntario locations are found in most towns and cities across the province — you can find the nearest one using the ServiceOntario office locator on the government website. The mail-in route is slower but works if you cannot visit an office in person.

If your licence was lost, stolen, or damaged, you will need to bring proof of identity and proof of residence. If you are renewing because your licence has expired, the documents you need are slightly different. The staff at ServiceOntario can tell you exactly what to bring before you go, so calling ahead saves a wasted trip.

Key Takeaways

  • ServiceOntario offices handle replacements in person, and you can find your nearest location on the government website before you go.
  • You will need two pieces of ID and proof of your current address, such as a utility bill or lease agreement.
  • A replacement licence costs $50 if your current one is lost, stolen, or damaged, or $60 if it has expired.
  • Processing takes about 10 business days if you go in person; mail-in replacements take longer and require you to send your old licence.
  • If your licence was suspended or cancelled, you cannot replace it until the suspension or cancellation is lifted by the Ministry of Transportation.

Documents you need to bring

ServiceOntario requires two pieces of identity and one piece of proof of residence. For identity, you can use a passport, birth certificate, citizenship certificate, or permanent resident card. If you do not have two of these, a single piece of government-issued ID plus a document that shows your name and signature — such as a credit card or library card — will work.

For proof of residence, bring a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or property tax assessment in your name. The document must show your current address and be dated within the last three months. If you have moved recently and your old licence still shows a previous address, bring the proof of residence document with you.

Cost and processing time

A replacement licence costs $50 if you are replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged licence. If your licence has expired and you are renewing it at the same time, the cost is $60. ServiceOntario accepts cash, debit, and credit cards.

If you go to a ServiceOntario office in person, your replacement licence is usually ready within 10 business days. You will receive it by mail at the address you provide. If you explore by mail, the process takes longer — typically three to four weeks from the date ServiceOntario receives your process. You must include your old licence with a mail-in process, and you will not be able to drive until the replacement arrives.

explore by mail

To replace your licence by mail, you need to fill out form DL 44 (process for Ontario Driver's Licence) and send it to the address listed on the form along with your old licence, proof of identity, and proof of residence. You can read the form from the ServiceOntario website or pick one up at any ServiceOntario office.

Include a cheque or money order for the replacement fee — $50 or $60 depending on whether you are also renewing. Do not send cash. Mail your process to the address on the form and keep a copy for your records. ServiceOntario will send your new licence to the address you list on the form.

What to do if your licence was suspended or cancelled

If your licence was suspended by the Ministry of Transportation — for example, due to unpaid fines, a medical condition, or a conviction — you cannot replace it until the suspension is lifted. The same applies if your licence was cancelled. You must first contact the Ministry of Transportation to find out why your licence was suspended or cancelled and what you need to do to restore it.

You can call the Ministry of Transportation at 416-235-2999 (Toronto area) or 1-800-387-3445 (outside Toronto) to check the status of your licence. If you owe fines, you will need to pay them. If the suspension was due to a medical condition, you may need to provide a medical report. Once the suspension or cancellation is lifted, you can then replace your licence through ServiceOntario.

Replacing a damaged or defaced licence

If your licence is damaged, faded, or defaced but still readable, you can replace it at ServiceOntario using the same process as a lost or stolen licence. Bring your damaged licence along with your proof of identity and proof of residence. The fee is $50.

If your licence is so damaged that it cannot be read, ServiceOntario may ask you to declare it unreadable rather than damaged. In either case, bring what remains of the licence with you to the office. If you have lost the licence entirely, you will need to report it as lost rather than damaged.

Replacing a licence after a name change

If you have changed your name — through marriage, divorce, or legal name change — you will need to update your licence to reflect your new name. Bring your old licence, proof of your name change (such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), proof of identity in your new name if you have it, and proof of residence.

ServiceOntario will issue a new licence with your updated name. The cost is $50 for a replacement. If your old licence has also expired, the cost is $60. Processing time is the same as a standard replacement — about 10 business days if you go in person.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive while I wait for my replacement licence?

If you go to ServiceOntario in person, you can usually drive while you wait for your replacement to arrive by mail. If you applied by mail and sent in your old licence, you cannot drive until the replacement arrives. Ask the ServiceOntario staff whether you can get a temporary paper licence to drive while you wait.

What if I moved and my proof of residence is in someone else's name?

Proof of residence must be in your name. If you have just moved and do not yet have a utility bill or lease in your name, bring a letter from your landlord or a recent mortgage statement. If neither is available, ask ServiceOntario what other documents they will accept before you go.

How long does a replacement licence last?

An Ontario driver's licence is valid for five years from the date it is issued. Your new replacement licence will expire five years after ServiceOntario issues it, not five years from your old licence's expiry date.

Can I replace my licence online?

Ontario does not offer online replacement for driver's licences. You must go to a ServiceOntario office in person or explore by mail. You can renew your licence online if it has not yet expired, but replacement (for lost, stolen, or damaged licences) requires an in-person visit or mail process.

What if my old licence was issued in a different province?

If you are moving to Ontario or now live in Ontario, you need to exchange your out-of-province licence for an Ontario licence. This is not a replacement — it is a new licence. Bring your old licence, proof of identity, proof of residence, and proof that you have lived in Ontario for at least 39 days. The fee is $50.