Expired Licences & Renewals

In Ontario, it is illegal to drive with an expired, cancelled, suspended, or invalid driver’s licence. Usually, you need to renew your driver’s licence card every five years, although renewal cycles can vary.

COVID-19 Updates:

Please visit our COVID-19 FAQ page for more information on the current status of driver’s licence extensions and driver’s licensing requirements.

Renewing Your Driver’s Licence

ServiceOntario processes most renewals for Class G and M licences. DriveTest processes commercial licence renewals.

Your driver’s licence expiry date (EXP.) is printed on your licence photo card. When your licence is due for renewal, usually you will get a renewal notice in the mail (as long as the Ministry of Transportation has your correct address). You are responsible for ensuring your licence is valid.

Once your driver’s licence has expired, you cannot renew online. You must renew in person at a ServiceOntario office or possibly a DriveTest Centre. Generally, you do not need to visit a DriveTest Centre unless you are required to take a test or are renewing a commercial licence.

The requirements to renew expired, full Class G and Class M licences vary from expired class A, B, C, D, E, and F commercial licences. Both processes are described below.

Out of Province at Renewal Time

You can renew your licence up to 180 days prior to the expiry date. If you are going to be out of the province when your licence expires, you may want to renew ahead of time. You may also be eligible for a one-time extension. Visit ServiceOntario for more information.

Class G or Class M Expiries and Renewals

Renewal processes vary somewhat for novice drivers and fully licensed drivers.

Renewal Requirements for Novice Drivers (Classes G1, G2, M1, or M2)

Once a novice class — or learner’s — licence (e.g., G1, G2, M1, M2, M2 with condition L) expires, you cannot renew it. If you did not book a road test prior to the expiry date, you need to reapply as a new driver at a DriveTest Centre.

If you booked a road test prior to the expiry date:

Classes G1 or G2: You may be able to get an extension until your road test date by visiting a DriveTest Centre.
Classes M1 or M2: A Class M1 licence holder who books their road test before the licence expiry date may obtain a one-day temporary driver’s licence (TDL) that is valid for the day of the road test only.

Please note that, if your novice class licence has been expired for less than three years, you may not need to serve the mandatory waiting periods.

Renewal Requirements for Fully Licensed Drivers (Classes G or M)

If you have a full, expired driver’s licence, the process to renew depends on how long the licence has been invalid. The following provides further information for people under age 80. Information on renewals for seniors is available on the seniors renewal page.

Full Licence Invalid for Less Than 12 Months

Visit ServiceOntario
No tests required

Full Licence Invalid for 1 – 3 Years

Visit a DriveTest Centre
Successfully complete a vision test

Full Licence Invalid for 3 – 10 Years

Visit a DriveTest Centre
Successfully complete a written knowledge test
Successfully complete a vision test
Successfully complete two road tests (G2 and G, or M2 and M). You can book your first road test (G2 or M2) as soon as you pass your knowledge and vision tests (no required waiting period). You can book your G or M road test as soon as you pass your first road test (no required waiting period).

Full Licence Invalid for 10+ Years

Visit a DriveTest Centre
Successfully complete a written knowledge test
Successfully complete a vision test
Successfully complete two road tests after meeting each of the waiting period requirements (G2 and G, or M2 and M)

Commercial Licence Expiries and Renewals

As a commercial driver, it is very important that you renew your driver’s licence well before it expires.

An expired commercial licence (Class A, B, C, D, E, F) means that your Class G licence is expired as well. If your licence has been invalid for more than three years, you will be required to reapply for a Class G licence and meet all the requirements of Class G graduated licensing, including passing all the required Class G tests. Only then will you be eligible to reapply for any commercial-class licences.

The following table provides the requirements for people renewing a commercial licence under age 80. Information on renewals for seniors is available on the senior’s renewal page.

Licence Invalid for Less Than 3 Years

Visit a DriveTest Centre
Take a vision test
Take a written knowledge test
Take a road/practical test if required (although generally not required)
Submit a medical examination report

Licence Invalid for More Than 3 Years (Class A, C, D, and F)

Visit a DriveTest Centre
Re-apply for and then obtain your Class G licence
Re-apply for your commercial licence:
Take a vision test
Take a written knowledge test
Take a road/practical test
Submit a medical examination report
If you are applying for a Class B or E licence, participate in a criminal record search

Process for Renewing an Expired Licence

The process for renewing an expired licence is basically the same for all classes of licences.

Visit a ServiceOntario office or DriveTest Centre.
If your Class G or Class M licence is expired for less than 12 months, you must visit a ServiceOntario office. If you require a test or have a commercial licence, you must visit a DriveTest Centre.
Bring original, acceptable identification that shows your legal name, date of birth, and your signature.
Bring your expired licence as well, if you have it. If there is a variation in the names on the pieces of legal identification you present and the name that appears on your expired licence, you will need to provide an acceptable ID to link the names.
Take any required tests for your renewal.
This includes any applicable vision, knowledge, and road/practical tests.
Have your photo taken by the customer service agent, if required.
The photo will be used on your new licence card.
Pay the renewal fee (plus any additional test fees that apply).
Fees are set by MTO and are subject to change.
Obtain your temporary driver’s licence from a customer service agent.
Once you have met the requirements, you will be issued a temporary driver’s licence. The temporary driver’s licence enables you to drive and is valid for 90 days. You can expect to receive your permanent licence in the mail in approximately 90 days. If you do not receive your official driver’s licence before the expiry date on your temporary driver’s licence, please visit ServiceOntario.