How to Renew an Ontario Driver's Licence Online or In Person
Renew your Ontario driver's licence online or at ServiceOntario. Learn who qualifies, what information to prepare, the standard $90 fee, how expired licences are handled and when your new card arrives.
CA Canada
Driving & Vehicles ~ 11 min read
8 FAQ
Updated 2026-10-08
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You can renew an eligible Ontario driver's licence online through ServiceOntario or in person at a ServiceOntario centre. Online renewal is generally available for eligible full G, M or GM licences when no tests, new photo or other in-person requirements prevent renewal. A standard five-year renewal costs $90, and the new card normally arrives by mail within four to six weeks. If your licence has expired, you may still qualify for online renewal, depending on how long it has been expired and your circumstances. You cannot legally drive with an expired, suspended or cancelled licence.
What you need
- Current Ontario driver's licence: have your licence available, including the licence number and the seven-digit trillium number on the back, for online renewal.
- Postal code: provide the postal code associated with your driver's licence.
- Eligible licence class: online renewal generally covers full G, M or GM licences and the full portion of certain combination classes.
- Valid payment method: prepare an accepted Visa or Mastercard payment card for online renewal.
- Current address: your address must be up to date. A recent address change can prevent online renewal.
- No outstanding restrictions: online renewal requires that you do not need a driving test, have disqualifying outstanding fines or penalties, or have a suspended or cancelled licence.
- In-person documents: bring your current driver's licence and any identification or supporting documents requested for your circumstances.
- Expired licence cases: original identification showing your legal name, date of birth and signature may be required when renewing through DriveTest or the designated ServiceOntario location.
Eligibility
You can generally renew an Ontario driver's licence online if you hold an eligible full G, M or GM licence, or the full portion of an eligible combination class, and your licence is not suspended or cancelled. You must not require a vision, written or road test, have a disqualifying new medical condition, be removing a vision restriction, have outstanding fines or penalties that prevent renewal, or have updated your address within the previous 90 days. Some recently expired full licences remain eligible for online renewal. Drivers who need a new photograph, additional testing or other in-person services must use the appropriate ServiceOntario or DriveTest location. Novice G1, G2, M1 and M2 licences have different expiry rules and cannot simply be renewed like a full licence.
How to do it
- Check your licence expiry date and class. Confirm whether you hold a full G, M or GM licence and whether it is current or expired.
- Choose the correct renewal route. Use ServiceOntario's online service if eligible, or visit a ServiceOntario centre if a photograph, recent address change or other in-person requirement applies.
- Prepare your information. For online renewal, have your licence number, seven-digit trillium number, postal code and accepted payment card ready.
- Complete the online renewal or attend in person. Follow the official instructions, verify your details and pay the applicable fee.
- Save your renewal confirmation. If the online service issues a temporary driver's licence validation document, download and print it.
- Keep the correct documents with you. When issued, carry the printed temporary validation document together with your old licence until your new card arrives.
- Receive your new licence. Ontario normally mails the renewed card within four to six weeks.
- Resolve delivery or expiry problems. Contact or visit ServiceOntario if the card does not arrive or your temporary document is approaching expiry.
Can you renew an Ontario driver's licence online?
Yes. Eligible drivers can renew their Ontario driver's licence online through ServiceOntario instead of visiting a service centre. The usual renewal period is five years, and the standard fee is $90.
Your first step is to check your licence class, expiry date and online eligibility. The responsible authorities are ServiceOntario and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.
Start with the official Ontario driver's licence renewal instructions. If you qualify, proceed to the ServiceOntario online renewal portal.
If you need a new photograph, have recently changed your address or must complete a test, you may need to renew in person instead.
Who is eligible to renew online?
Online renewal is generally available when all applicable conditions are satisfied:
- You hold a full G, M or GM licence that is not suspended or cancelled.
- You hold an eligible combination class, such as G1M, G2M, GM1 or GM2, and are renewing only its full-licence portion.
- You have not updated your address within the previous 90 days.
- You do not need a vision test, knowledge test or road test.
- You are not asking to remove a vision condition from your licence.
- You do not have a new medical condition that may prevent you from driving.
- You have no outstanding fees, fines or penalties that prevent renewal.
- Your photograph and other licence information meet the applicable renewal requirements.
Some expired full licences remain eligible for online renewal, but a licence expired for more than 12 months does not qualify through the standard online renewal route.
Can G1 or G2 drivers renew online?
No, not in the same way as fully licensed drivers. Ontario's novice G1, G2, M1 and M2 licences are part of graduated licensing and have different expiry requirements.
An expired novice licence generally cannot be renewed. A driver who books a road test before expiry may qualify for an extension until the test date. Contact DriveTest for the applicable rules.
Drivers holding certain combination classes may renew the full-licence portion online, but that does not renew an expired novice portion.
Should you renew online or visit ServiceOntario?
| Your situation | Appropriate route |
|---|---|
| Eligible full licence, no tests or photo required | Online or ServiceOntario |
| Address updated in the last 90 days | ServiceOntario in person |
| New photograph required | ServiceOntario in person |
| Licence expired for more than one year | Check DriveTest testing requirements |
| Licence suspended or cancelled | Resolve the licence status first |
| Driver aged 80 or older | Senior renewal process |
If your situation is straightforward, online renewal is usually the simplest route. If you are unsure whether testing is required, review the official expiry rules before paying or travelling to a service centre.
What do you need for online renewal?
Have the following ready before starting the online application:
- Your Ontario driver's licence number.
- The seven-digit trillium number on the back of your licence.
- Your current postal code.
- An accepted Visa or Mastercard payment card.
- Your Ontario health card, if you also intend to renew it through the combined service.
The renewal system uses your existing driver record to check whether the transaction can be completed online. You do not normally upload a new photograph through the standard online process.
What should you bring to ServiceOntario?
Bring your existing driver's licence and any renewal notice you have received. If your circumstances require identification or supporting documentation, follow the instructions provided by ServiceOntario or DriveTest.
For older expired or cancelled licences requiring requalification, Ontario directs applicants to bring original identification showing their legal name, date of birth and signature.
If you recently moved, update your address before completing renewal. The related guide to changing your Ontario driver's licence address explains that separate task.
How to renew your driver's licence online
- Open the official renewal service. Visit Renew your Ontario cards.
- Select driver's licence renewal. Choose the driver's licence-only option or the combined driver's licence and health card option if both are eligible.
- Enter your licence information. Supply the licence number, trillium number, postal code and other details requested.
- Confirm eligibility. Review the address, licence status and declarations presented by the service.
- Pay the applicable renewal fee. Complete payment using an accepted card.
- Save your confirmation. Keep the transaction information for your records.
- Print a temporary validation document if issued. Carry it with your old licence while waiting for the new card.
- Watch for delivery. The renewed licence card normally arrives by mail within four to six weeks.
For eligible transactions, the online service also offers a combined renewal of the driver's licence and Ontario photo health card. Both products must satisfy their own eligibility requirements.
How to renew in person
Visit a ServiceOntario centre when the online service is unavailable for your circumstances or you prefer an in-person transaction.
- Find a centre that offers driver's licence renewal services using the ServiceOntario location finder.
- Bring your driver's licence and any additional documents relevant to your renewal.
- Tell the service representative if you need an updated photograph, address correction or other record change.
- Complete the required transaction and pay the applicable fee.
- Keep any temporary licence document provided until the new card arrives.
If you require requalification tests because your licence has been expired for an extended period, you may need to visit a DriveTest centre rather than a regular ServiceOntario location.
How much does renewal cost, and when will the card arrive?
The standard renewal fee is $90 for a five-year driver's licence.
The amount may differ when the renewal period is shorter than five years, such as when expiry dates are aligned with an Ontario health card, or when age-specific renewal rules apply.
There is no additional charge simply for choosing the government's online renewal service instead of an in-person renewal. Additional tests or an optional photograph retake may have separate fees.
Your renewed licence card normally arrives by mail within four to six weeks. This is the published delivery estimate, not a guarantee that every application will be completed within that period.
When should you renew your Ontario driver's licence?
Ontario allows driver's licence renewal up to 90 days before expiry online or up to 180 days before expiry in person.
You may receive a renewal reminder by mail or email, but you remain responsible for keeping your licence valid even if a reminder does not arrive.
It is illegal to drive with an expired, suspended or cancelled driver's licence. Renew before the expiry date whenever possible.
Can you renew an expired licence?
Some recently expired full licences can still be renewed online. The appropriate route depends on the expiry date, licence status and whether testing is required.
| Time expired or cancelled | Requirements |
|---|---|
| More than 1 year, up to 3 years | Vision test |
| More than 3 years, up to 10 years | Vision test, knowledge test and two road tests |
| More than 10 years | Reapply as a new driver; mandatory waiting periods apply |
For the three-to-ten-year category, the road tests are the G1 exit and G2 exit tests. The applicable test fees are separate from the standard renewal fee.
Review Renew an expired driver's licence before visiting DriveTest.
Can you drive while waiting for your renewed licence?
When you renew online, ServiceOntario may issue a temporary driver's licence validation document if your licence has already expired or you renew within 28 days of its expiry date.
You must download and print that document and carry it together with your old driver's licence until the replacement card arrives.
If you cannot download or print the document, lose it, or the new card has not arrived before the temporary document expires, visit a ServiceOntario centre for assistance.
A renewal confirmation alone should not be treated as permission to drive with an invalid licence unless the applicable temporary validation document has been issued.
What if you moved recently?
If you updated your driver's licence address within the last 90 days, you cannot use the standard online driver's licence renewal route.
Instead, visit ServiceOntario to renew in person. If your address has not yet been updated, correct it before or during the appropriate in-person transaction.
Do not renew using an outdated address simply to avoid an in-person visit. The replacement card is mailed using the address recorded for the transaction.
What changes for drivers aged 80 or older?
Ontario drivers aged 80 or older follow a separate senior renewal process and generally renew their G licence every two years.
Additional requirements can include a vision screening, review of driving information and other assessments under the senior driver renewal program.
Do not assume that the ordinary online renewal process is available if you have been directed to complete senior renewal requirements.
Read Renew a G driver's licence: 80 years and over for the applicable instructions.
What if you are outside Ontario when your licence expires?
Drivers who are temporarily outside Ontario may have different renewal options. If your licence expires while you are away, the province may issue a temporary licence in eligible circumstances.
Ontario provides a separate procedure for people travelling, working or temporarily staying outside the province, including how to request a temporary document.
Consult Renew a driver's licence: outside Ontario before your licence expires.
What if the online renewal service says you are not eligible?
An online renewal may be unavailable because of a recent address change, a required photograph, outstanding penalties, medical or vision requirements, an expired licence requiring tests, or a suspended or cancelled licence.
Check the reason shown by the service before trying again. If you need an in-person photograph or address update, visit ServiceOntario. If testing is required, follow the DriveTest instructions.
If your licence is suspended, ordinary renewal does not restore your driving privileges. Use the separate guide to reinstating a suspended Ontario driver's licence.
If your licence is lost, stolen or damaged rather than due for renewal, follow the driver's licence replacement procedure instead.
Mistakes that can delay your driver's licence renewal
- Waiting until after expiry: you cannot legally drive with an expired licence.
- Using the wrong service: replacing a lost licence, renewing an expired novice licence and reinstating a suspended licence are different procedures.
- Ignoring a recent address change: online renewal is restricted after an address update within 90 days.
- Assuming all expired licences can be renewed online: longer expiry periods can require tests or a new application.
- Forgetting the trillium number: the seven-digit number on the back of your licence is needed for online renewal.
- Failing to print a temporary validation document: when issued, the printed document must accompany the old licence.
- Expecting immediate card delivery: the normal mailing estimate is four to six weeks.
Official renewal links
Frequently asked questions
Can I renew my Ontario driver's licence online?
Yes, if you hold an eligible full G, M or GM licence or qualifying combination class, do not need tests or an in-person update, and meet ServiceOntario's other requirements. Start through the official online renewal portal.
How much does it cost to renew an Ontario driver's licence?
A standard five-year renewal costs $90. The fee can differ for shorter renewal periods or certain older drivers, and additional tests may cost extra.
How early can I renew my Ontario driver's licence?
Ontario permits renewal up to 90 days before expiry online or up to 180 days before expiry in person.
Can I renew my Ontario driver's licence after it expires?
Some recently expired full licences remain eligible for online renewal. If a full G or GM licence has been expired for more than one year, testing requirements may apply. An expired novice licence follows different rules.
How long does it take to receive a renewed Ontario driver's licence?
The new licence card normally arrives by mail within four to six weeks. If a temporary validation document is issued, print it and carry it with your old licence.
Can I renew online if I recently changed my address?
Not if you updated your address within the previous 90 days. In that situation, renew in person at ServiceOntario.
Do I need a new photo to renew my Ontario driver's licence?
Not for every renewal. Ontario may require a new photograph periodically, generally every 10 years. If a new photo is required, you must attend an appropriate ServiceOntario location.
Can drivers aged 80 or older renew their Ontario licence online?
Drivers aged 80 or older follow a separate senior G licence renewal process, generally every two years, with additional screening requirements. Follow the official senior renewal instructions rather than assuming ordinary online renewal applies.
Official sources
Government of Ontario — Renew a Driver's LicenceServiceOntario — Online Driver's Licence and Health Card RenewalGovernment of Ontario — Renew an Expired Driver's LicenceGovernment of Ontario — Renew a G Driver's Licence: 80 Years and OverGovernment of Ontario — Renew a Driver's Licence: Outside OntarioGovernment of Ontario — Find a ServiceOntario LocationRelated procedures
Useful next steps and closely related guides for Canada.
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