Renewing an Ontario Driver's Licence

Driver's Licence Renewal Postcard

Starting October 2006, drivers who do not require a test but require a photo will receive a postcard notice in the mail reminding them it's time to renew their driver's licence. This postcard notice replaces the existing Driver's Licence Renewal Application.

Novice Class Drivers (G1, G2, M1, M2 or M2 with condition "L") In or Outside Ontario

These classes of licences are not renewable upon expiry. Approximately six months prior to the expiry date of the licence a Notice of Novice Driver's Licence Expiry will be mailed to the driver to the last address registered on the ministry's database. This notice will detail the level achieved, and what options the driver has to re-qualify or exit the graduated licensing system.

A novice driver whose licence has been expired must reapply as a new driver and pass the required tests (vision, knowledge, road tests).

Novice (classes G1, G2, M1, M2 and M2 with condition "L") drivers whose licence have been invalid (expired/cancelled/suspended) for up to three years and reapply for a licence during this time do not have to serve the mandatory time period under graduated licensing. However, if the licence has been invalid for more than three years, the driver must serve all the mandatory time periods.

Note: If you passed the G1 or M1 or M1 with condition "L" road test within 12 months of your driver's licence expiry, you may pay the licensing fee of $75 at a DriveTest centre to receive a G2 or M2 or M2 with condition "L" driver's licence valid for five years. You must do this before your licence expires.

Drivers In Ontario (Classes A, B, C, D, E, F, G, M and M with condition "L")

You should receive a renewal application or postcard in the mail to the last address registered on the ministry's database approximately 60 to 90 days prior to your driver's licence expiry date. If you do not receive or have lost a renewal application, a new one can be printed, and your licence renewed while you wait, at any Driver & Vehicle Licence Issuing Office. You can renew an expired driver's licence, without taking tests, within one year of the licence expiry date.

If a driver's licence has been invalid (expired, cancelled or suspended) for more than one, but fewer than three years, you must visit a DriveTest centre to complete a vision test. If your licence has invalid for more than three years, you must pass vision, knowledge and road tests. If your licence has been invalid for over three years but not more than 10 years, you have to reapply under Graduated Licensing at a DriveTest centre—the mandatory waiting periods are waived. If your licence has been invalid for over ten years, you have to reapply under graduated licensing at a DriveTest centre and serve all the mandatory waiting periods.

To renew your licence, take the Renewal Application or postcard to a Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office. You may be asked to sign the application. You will be required to show identification, pay the required renewal amount, and have your photograph taken if required. The renewal fee is $75.00.

Effective January 1, 2005 all payments made by personal cheques must be certified unless sent by mail.

Note: For Classes A, B, C, E and F or Condition Z (air brake endorsement), please go to a DriveTest centre to take the required tests. Once you complete the required tests, you must take the renewal application to a Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office to renew your licence.

Drivers Aged 80 and Over

Starting at age 80, drivers are required to renew their licence every two years, the requirements to renew their licence include completing the following:

• Vision test
• Written test
• Group education session, providing information on driving tips, age-related changes that can affect driving and ways that seniors can adapt.

A booklet was developed on senior driver safety Click on the following link for access to the Senior Driver Group Education session booklet.

For more details on the senior driver licence renewal program see: Senior Drivers in Ontario.

Drivers Outside Ontario

Under the ministry's photo licensing program, you are required to have your photo taken by the ministry at licence renewal time unless your renewal application states that a new picture is not needed for this renewal. Renewals not requiring a photo can be processed by mail; otherwise, you must renew in person in Ontario. If you are out of the province at the time of renewal and will be returning within six months, you may be sent a one-time temporary driver's licence valid for up to a maximum of six months, to enable you to drive while you are away.

The ministry will need your driver's licence number, the length of time and reason for your absence, an out-of-province mailing address, and a copy of your driver's licence photo-card. You may send this information to:

Ministry of Transportation
Licensing Administration Office
Building A, Main Floor
2680 Keele Street
Downsview, ON  M3M 3E6
Fax: 416-235-4414

If you will not be returning within six months, please contact the ministry's Driver and Vehicle Licensing Call Centre at 416-235-2999 or toll free in Canada at 1-800-387-3445, for more information.

Drivers Who Will Be Outside Ontario When Their Driver's Licence Expires

Drivers whose licence will expire when they are outside Ontario can renew their licence 180 days before the licence expiry and before they leave the province. If you are eligible for this option, please attend a Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office to renew your licence. The licence office will print a driver's licence renewal application and the licence renewal will be processed at the same time.

Note: Drivers whose licence renewal requires a test as a condition of licence renewal must attend a DriveTest Driver Examination Centre to renew.

What to Do After You Apply or Renew Your Driver's Licence

Under the Highway Traffic Act, each driver is responsible to ensure that he or she is in possession of a valid driver's licence while operating a motor vehicle on the roads. If you have not received your permanent licence before your current or temporary driver's licence expires, please call the ministry's Driver and Vehicle Call Centre at 416-235-2999 or toll free 1-800-387-3445 (Canada-wide) to enquire about the status of your licence.

Renewing an Ontario Driver's Licence

Effective May 28, 2007 drivers using any of our over-the-counter service locations to renew their drivers licence four weeks or more in advance of its expiry date will no longer be issued a Temporary Driver's Licence (TDL). Instead of the TDL, a confirmation slip will be issued to the driver.

If you are eligible for a new driver's licence card, it will be mailed to you in approximately four weeks. If you have not received a new driver's licence in the mail by the expiry date of your current licence,visit a Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office and you will be issued a TDL if you are eligible for one. If you do not attend a Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office prior to this date, a fee may apply.

Drivers renewing less than four weeks from their driver's licence expiry date will continue to receive a TDL.

Please note, if you require a TDL when you are renewing, advise the customer service representative at the time of your transaction and one will be issued to you.

Customer Service Options

Below are the service channels where you can purchase/order this service. Click on the underlined titles below for an address/location.

	DriveTest Centre	Licence Issuing Office	Service Ontario Kiosk	Mail	Phone	Order Online
Renewing your licence
Renewing class A,B,C, E and F licences (requires testing*)
Out-of-province renewing of a licence

*Note: You must complete the required testing at a DriveTest centre prior to renewing at a Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office.

For further information please complete our online feedback form, or contact the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Call Centre at 416-235-2999 or toll free at 1-800-387-3445.