Share :
Share :
Is it time to renew your Ontario driver’s licence? Not sure how or when you need to do it? We have you covered.
Provincially, Ontario has the highest number of motor vehicles registered at 8.7 million! That’s a lot of licences; every driver must renew their licence by the expiry date. It’s part of the process of owning a vehicle. Here, we’ll provide everything you need to know about renewing your Ontario driver's licence.
The renewal process is straightforward. Here are some important things you need to know before you renew your licence:
If you need to visit a ServiceOntario centre in person, you will need to bring your driver's licence number, the 7-digit trillium number found on the back of your licence, and a postal code.
You will also need a personal identification document that verifies your name, date of birth, and signature. You may be able to renew your health card at this time, too.
Drivers can renew their driver's licence online by completing the steps on the ServiceOntario website. You will need to enter your postal code and driver's licence number nearby.
However, not everyone is eligible to renew online. You can move forward with online renewal if:
You will also need to answer questions about whether you need glasses or have medical conditions that may affect your driving ability. The process only takes a few minutes to complete.
You will receive a temporary driver's licence validation document when you renew your licence online. You will get this if your licence has already expired. You will also get it if your licence is within 28 days of the expiration date. Download, print and keep this with your old licence until you receive your new one.
You may have to visit ServiceOntario in person if you are unable to download and print the document, you lose or need to replace it, your new licence has yet to arrive, or the document is going to expire.
An Ontario licence renewal costs $90 for five years. You can pay using Visa, Mastercard and Interac. If the renewal is not for a full five years, you may see a different cost. This may happen if the date on your licence is changed to match the expiration of your health card. There is no extra payment for postage and mailing costs.
If you don’t renew your driver's licence in time, it will no longer be valid. You are not legally permitted to drive with an expired licence in the province. You could face a fine from $200 to $1000. You can still renew after it expires, but if you wait more than one year, you may need to take a vision test, and additional testing may be required if you wait an extended period of time.
Depending on how long your licence has expired, you can still renew online. Here is an overview of the process of renewing your Ontario licence, even if it is expired. You can renew your licence online if you meet the following conditions:
If it has expired more than one year ago, the process will look a bit different. Here is what to expect if it expired more than 12 months ago :
If you are planning to renew an expired licence in Ontario, here is what the process will look like :
If you have a commercial licence (Class A, B, C, D, E, F) that has expired, your Class G has also expired. If it’s been over three years, you must re-apply and meet all the licencing program requirements. Once you have successfully completed that, you can reapply for commercial classes. You’ll need to get new commercial vehicle insurance at this time too.
Here is what the renewal process will look like for a Class A, C, D, and F licence that was expired :
Get auto insurance with ThinkInsure. Our experts will compare quotes from Canada's top insurers to find you the best coverage at the best rate.
If you don’t renew your driver's licence by the expiry date, it will expire. You are not legally permitted to drive with an expired licence in the province. You could face a fine from $200 to $1000.
You can renew once you receive your renewal notice in the mail or email. You will typically receive the notification 2 to 3 months before the expiry date.
It is highly recommended to sign up for ServiceOntario digital reminders because they will no longer be sending paper renewal notices to most Ontarians (unless you fall into the exemptions) with products expiring after February 2022. You can also sign up for reminders by automated voice call or text message by calling toll-free at 1-800-267-8097.
Yes. Most driver’s licences will expire on the cardholder's birthday, not at the end of the month. However, you should always double-check the date on the card as it may have a different date.
You can renew an expired licence online up to a year after the expiration date. After one year, you will need to visit one of the in-person ServiceOntario locations to renew. You cannot drive if your licence is expired, and you risk being fined.
Yes. Another person can renew for you online. They will need access to your driver’s licence and other required documentation. Another person cannot renew for you at an in-person ServiceOntario location.
You can replace your lost driver's licence at ServiceOntario. You will need to bring proof of identification and pay a $35.75 fee. You can then renew your licence following the normal process.
You can renew your licence at any location in the province. Find the nearest in person ServiceOntario location here.
Yes, you need to pay a $90 fee to renew your driver's license, in addition to any test costs.
Renewing your licence is a quick and easy process. It only takes a few minutes to renew online. How long it takes to renew in person depends on the number of people at the ServiceOntario location when you visit.
When it's time to renew your licence, don't forget to look at your driving habits - letting your insurer know a how many kilometres you drive yearly can help lower car insurance in Ontario.
Share
Checkout our latest articles on insurance and other helpful topics.
Are you wondering how much a careless driving ticket will affect your insurance in Ontario? Get our questions answered and learn how much you may see your rate go up.
Got a careless driving ticket in Ontario? Here’s everything you need to know about careless driving charges, fines, and penalties.
You may not have control over the rain, but you can control how you handle hydroplaning (aquaplaning). Here’s how hydroplaning can happen and what to do to prevent it.
Our experts offer 25 safety tips for driving in the rain. You’ll discover the best lights to use, what speed limit to follow, how to drive safe when it’s raining.
