In Ontario, driver's licences are administered by the provincial government, and renewals are handled by ServiceOntario. A regular licence is valid for 5 years and must be renewed every 5 years, either online or at a ServiceOntario centre.
Renewal for drivers aged 80 and over is a separate category. On the province's 'Renew a driver's licence' page, 'Renew your driver's licence: 80 years and over' is listed as its own entry under the Related section, alongside renewing an expired licence, reinstating a suspended licence, and renewing outside Ontario.
Renewal at 80 and over is a separate category
The Related section of the main renewal page lists:
- Renew an expired driver's licence
- Renew your driver's licence: 80 years and over
- Reinstate your suspended driver's licence
- Renew a driver's licence outside Ontario
The official material used for this article contains only the main page, not the body of the '80 years and over' subpage. What specific tests are required, how often they are conducted, and what happens if a driver does not pass are therefore not restated here. Please consult that subpage directly.
Online renewal eligibility
The province states you can renew online if you:
- have a full licence (G, M or GM class) that isn't cancelled or suspended
- have a combination class of G1M, G2M, GM1, or GM2 (only the full portion will be renewed online)
- haven't updated your address within the last 90 days
- don't need tests (vision, written, or road)
- are not removing a vision condition
- have no new medical conditions that may prevent you from driving
- don't have outstanding fines or penalties
If you are not eligible to renew online, the province states you must visit a ServiceOntario centre. You may be able to book an appointment ahead of your visit.
Cost and delivery
The province states the fee is $90 for a 5-year licence.
Fees may vary if:
- the renewal period is not for a full 5 years, for example the expiry date on your driver's licence is changing to match the expiry date on your health card
- you are over 76 years of age
The province states your new driver's licence card will arrive in the mail within 4 to 6 weeks.
Temporary driver's licence validation
The province states that when you renew online you will receive a temporary driver's licence validation document if:
- your driver's licence has already expired
- you renew online within 28 days of your current driver's licence expiry date
You must download, print and keep the temporary validation document with your old licence until your new card arrives.
Visit a ServiceOntario centre if:
- you are unable to download and print your temporary document
- you lose or need to replace your temporary document
- your new driver's licence has not arrived and your temporary validation document is about to expire
Photo
The province states you may need to take a new driver's licence photo every 10 years. You can also have your photo retaken at any time for $35.75.
The photo must meet certain standards. Your face must:
- be completely visible
- be free of any obstructions
- have a neutral and relaxed expression (do not smile)
- be facing straight at the camera (not tilted)
Headwear may be worn for religious or medical reasons but must not cover any part of your face. You may be asked to remove other headwear or face wear, such as hats, eyeglasses or headphones. Your hair cannot cover your eyes.
If the photo does not meet the required standards, you may be asked to return to have it retaken. Bring:
- your current driver's licence
- a personal identification document (verifying your name, date of birth and signature)
Signatures with 'add-on statements' or illustrations will not be accepted. The province lists these add-ons as not accepted:
- “I hereby certify…”
- “Without prejudice…”
- “All rights reserved per…”
- “Freeman on the Land”
- “Sovereign Citizens”
Illustrations listed as not accepted include: ©, ®, ♥.
A new driver's licence will be mailed within 4 to 6 weeks.
If you recently moved
You need to update your address with the Ontario government. You cannot renew online within 90 days of changing your address. Instead, you must either:
- visit a ServiceOntario centre to update both your address and driver's licence
- update your address online and visit a ServiceOntario centre to renew your driver's licence in-person
Protect yourself from fraud and identity theft
Do not:
- share your licence information with any unauthorized person
- post images of your licence online
Sex designation
To change from M to F or F to M, go to a ServiceOntario centre and bring either:
- an original, valid birth certificate (including birth certificate with parental information)
- a certified copy of birth registration
If you don't have either, you can order one online.
To change to X (gender neutral), visit a ServiceOntario centre. You do not have to bring any supporting documents.
0 found this useful
Send this page