How To Renew Ontario Drivers License? [2024 Updated Guide]

You probably don’t know what to do or what choices are available once you need to update your personal information or replace, reinstate, or renew your Ontario drivers license. Fortunately, the procedure will be the same whether you wish to replace or renew your driver’s license in Toronto or a smaller town. This article will describe the numerous situations you can run across when renewing your Ontario driver’s license to help you decide what to do.

Take our free Ontario G1 practice test 2024 to learn everything you need to know to drive safely or read more about the Ontario driver’s license.

When to renew Ontario drivers license?

Your Ontario driver’s license will expire after 1 year. However, you may get a G2 license if you pass your G1 license road test before your G1 license expires. You have to pay $90 for your G2 license which is valid for five years.  

When my Ontario driver’s license expired less than 1 year ago or will soon expire

First, you will receive a notification in the mail around 90 days before the expiration date if your driver’s license is due for renewal. Additional instructions will be included in your renewal letter if you need to renew Ontario driver’s license or provide any additional documentation. 

In case you hold an Ontario driver’s license that expired less than 1 year ago or has yet to expire, it can be renewed online once you meet the following conditions:

• You possess a full G driver’s license, not a G1 or G2 driving license.
• Your photo or address doesn’t need to be updated, and your address hasn’t been updated in the last 90 days.
• You don’t need to take any tests (vision, written, road) and update a restriction on your vision.
• You do not have any fines that you still owe

To renew Ontario drivers license online, you would like to point out your license number, the 7-digit Trillium number, postal code. And, remember to bring a valid credit card to pay the renewal fee. 

Once you are not eligible to renew your driver’s license online, you must go to the ServiceOntario Centre and bring the following documents: 

• An original ID that has your date of birth, your legal name, and your signature. For instance, you can bring your current driver’s license
• The renewal letter that had been sent to your email
• $81.50 in cash, credit, debit, money order, or personal cheque for the renewal fee

You can find the nearest ServiceOntario Centre. 

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When G1 License expired more than 1 year ago

You must go through a different process to renew Ontario drivers license if it has expired more than 1 year ago. Depending on how long your license has been expired, the process will be different. 

• 1 to 3 years: You are required to take a vision test
• 3 to 10 years: You have to take a vision test, a written knowledge test, and the same two road tests you must pass to get your G2 and G level license.
• 10+ years: You must complete the entire Graduated Licensing Program from the very beginning as if you were a new driver. 

You cannot renew your driver’s license online if it expired more than a year ago and you must go to a DriveTest Center or the ServiceOntario location in Toronto at College Park. You have to bring an original ID with your legal name, date of birth, and signature. The cost of an Ontario Driver’s License renewal is $81.50 plus the cost to complete any required tests. 

What happens when my G1 or G2 License expires?

You cannot renew your G1 or G2 driver’s license once it has expired. Instead, you are required to complete the Graduated License Program from the very beginning, which includes passing: 

• a written test to get your G1 license, then you have to wait 8-12 months
• a driving exam to get your G2 license, then you have to wait 12 months
• another driving exam to obtain your full G license

For more information about Ontario driver’s license 2024, you can visit our website and get the free Ontario G1 practice test 2024. 

When I’m More than 80 Years Old then what about my G1 license?

You must complete a new process when renewing your Ontario Driver’s License if you are 80 years old or older. When your license is about to expire, you will receive an email that informs you of the upcoming expiration date and instructions on the renewal process as well. While a standard Ontario Driver’s License is valid for 5 years, an Ontario driver’s license which is possessed by a more than 80 years old person is only valid for 2 years. So, if you hold a driver’s license when you’re more than 80 years old, you need to renew it every 2 years and complete a 90-minute Renewal Session including: 

• Completing a vision exam
• Attending a 45-minute group session comprising new traffic laws, road signs, and tips for older drivers. 
• Reviewing your driving record
• Completing a screening exercise

Depending on the results of your compulsory tests and screening exercises, you probably will be asked to follow up with your doctor if there are any new medical concerns, or pass a driving test. You will be notified through the mail or have a counselor speak with you at the Renewal Session if you need to finish these further requirements. 

What about my expired G1 License when I’m outside of Ontario?

When you are outside of Ontario and your license would normally expire, you are able to renew it up to 180 days before the expiration date. In this scenario, to renew your driver’s license, there are two different ways based on how long your license will have been expired by the time you return to Ontario. 

• Case 1: You will return to Ontario within 6 months and your license was not suspended. In this case, you are able to get a one-time temporary extension for your current license that lasts for 6 months. Applying for the extension can be done online by accessing this website and fill the request form; otherwise, you must mail a signed letter to the Ministry of  Transportation along with: 
• Your driver’s license number
• The length of time you have been out of the province and why (business, travel, etc)
• Your mailing address while you’re out of the province
• A phone number and/ or email address where you can be reached
• A photocopy of your driver’s license card
• Case 2: You will return more than 6 months after your license’s expiration date. In this case, you need to call Service Ontario at 416-235-2999. They will give you alternative options and guide you on how to renew Ontario drivers license. 

How to change the address driver’s license?

Once your driver’s license was stolen or lost, you will be able to replace it, but you need to pay a replacement fee. You must bring your ID that has your legal name, date of birth, and signature to a ServiceOntario location. Then, you will be issued a temporary paper driver’s license, and you have to wait between 4 and 6 weeks until your new license card is sent to your email. 

In the case that your driver’s license was lost or stolen while you’re outside of Ontario, you must go through a different process. You can contact ServiceOntario and arrange to have a temporary paper license mailed to you if you return to Ontario within 6 months. And, once you return to the province, you need to go to the ServiceOntario location and they will issue your new license. If you will return to Ontario later than 6 months, you must pay the replacement fee and a new full license card will be mailed to you. 

When do I need to update my personal information for my driver’s license?

When you need to update the personal information that is on your current Ontario drivers’ license, you can do so without paying a fee. Only your address can be changed online, for other types of information require you must go to a ServiveOntario location or a DriveTest location to have them changed. If you want to change your legal name, your date of birth, your height, your sex designation, you need to visit a ServiceOntario location. 

When you want to change any condition or restriction on your license, for instance, you need to wear corrective lenses or glasses, you must go to a DriveTest Center and pass any required test. Remember to bring your current driver’s license and any supporting documentation necessary for the specific change when you go to the OntarioService because they are required for any change of information. 

Read more >> How To Order A Customized License PLate?

When my license was suspended?

There are three things you must do in order to get your suspended driver’s license back: 

• Pay all overdue fines.
• Finish all programs and court processes to clear the suspension of your driver’s license
• Gather all the documents you need to show that the suspension has been lifted.

Following the completion of those tasks, you must visit a DriveTest facility with an ID bearing your legal name, date of birth, and signature in order to receive a new license. If your license has been suspended for longer than a year, you must pass the following tests:

• 1 to 3 years: you are required to take a vision test
• 3 to 10 years: You must pass the same two road tests, a written knowledge test, and a vision test in order to obtain a G2 or G level license
• 10+ years: you are required to complete the full Graduated Licensing Program from scratch as if you were a brand-new driver.

If your license was not suspended for non-medical reasons, you will also be required to pay a charge. Regardless of the cause, you must pay any expenses associated with any examinations you are required to take.

In conclusion, several situations may arise when you replace, reinstate, or renew Ontario drivers license, and each has a unique procedure. We hope that our guide has given you the information you need, or at the very least shown you the way. As part of the driver licensing procedure, every driver must renew their license before it expires. So, be sure to renew well in advance and to not forget to do so. If our blog post didn’t completely satisfy you, visit our website to obtain the free Ontario G1 practice test 2024. All the best to you!