Drivers in Ontario, be it service workers or personal vehicle owners, have to renew their license before the expiration date. It’s all part of the licensing process and something you need to go about dutifully. Thus, to save yourself from any unwanted trouble, it’s wiser that you renew your driver’s license well in advance.
If your license has already expired, been canceled, or requires an update, then it’s time for you to renew your license — but can you renew your license online?
The experts from Surex will explain in this article how you can renew your driver’s license online in Ontario. So, make sure you scroll down to the end to understand the entire procedure in depth.
Eligibility for online renewal
You can renew your driver’s license online provided that you qualify for the following criteria:
- The new address has not been updated within two months of shifting.
- There are no current or previous medical issues that would make it difficult for you to drive.
- There are no outstanding penalties associated with your name.
What you should know
An expired driver’s license can be renewed at any time online within 12 months after its expiry. Moreover, there are no visual, written, or road exams necessary.
The entire online renewal process is relatively straightforward if you qualify for the given criteria and if you are deemed eligible.
However, there are some things you should keep in mind before applying online to avoid any confusion:
- The driver’s license should be renewed every five years.
- Only those who are eligible can apply to renew the license online.
- Your license photo needs to be updated every ten years.
- If your license has been suspended or canceled for more than 12 months, you need to renew it in person.
- You cannot renew a learner’s license, like G1 or G2, online.
You’ll usually get a renewal notification in the mail around two to three months before your license expires so that you can plan its renewal well in advance. Driving with an expired, canceled, or suspended license is illegal.
Moreover, if the police catch you driving with an illegitimate license, you can face a fine ranging from $200 to $1,000.
How to renew your license online
So, can you renew your driver’s license online in the province of Ontario? Yes, but how? You have to go to the official website of ServiceOntario to renew your driver’s license online. After that, you must provide the following information:
- Your driver’s license number.
- The postal code of your location.
- The trillium number, which is a seven-digit number found on the back of a driver’s license.
After entering the necessary details, you will also need to answer some questions about whether you require glasses to drive or not or if you have any existing medical condition that may affect your driving capabilities.
However, the process to renew a license that has expired or been canceled for more than a year is entirely different. Applying for online renewal is not an option for you. You have to renew it in person instead. You will have to:
- Visit any nearby DriveTest center or book an appointment at a ServiceOntario center in your province.
- Bring proof of identity that includes your real name, birth date, and signature.
- Pass a vision test if it has been more than a year since your license expired. You also have to pay the required fee plus the costs for any additional tests that you may have to take.
Costs related to renewing your driver’s license in Ontario
The fee for a driver’s license renewal in Ontario of five years is $90. However, the charges may also differ under certain circumstances:
- The five-year renewal cycle is not complete. For example, your driver’s license expiration date is changing or has changed to coincide with the date of expiration on your health card.
- You are more than 76 years old.
- Additional costs are applicable for any tests that you may have to undertake for license renewal. You can use MasterCard, VISA, or Interac to pay the fees.
Delivery of driver’s license in Ontario
After you complete the application and transaction processes, you will get your new driver’s license in the mail within four to six weeks.
Temporary driver’s license validation in Ontario
A temporary driver’s license validation is issued when you renew your driver’s license online in Ontario. You will receive this only if you meet the following criteria:
- Your license has already passed the expiry date.
- You must renew your driver’s license online within 28 days after the expiration date of your present one.
It would be best if you keep this temporary driver’s license validation safe with you until you receive your new license.
For an expired learner’s license
Once your learner’s license, namely G1, G2, M1, M2, or M1 with L conditions, has expired, you cannot renew it. You can, however, try to extend the date by applying for a road test and waiting till the date of the test arrives, but nothing more than that.
You can always contact a DriverTest center for more information regarding your learner’s license.
Endnote
We hope you now have the answer to, “Can you renew your driver’s license online?” Renewing your driver’s license online is by no means a difficult or complex task. As long as you have the necessary details and information handy, the entire process will only take a few minutes. All you have to do next is wait for your renewed driver’s license to arrive.
However, the time a driver’s license takes to renew in person will depend on the number of people at the ServiceOntario location you visit in your province. But if you’re eligible to apply and renew the license online, it’s recommended you go for it since it’s both easier and faster.
It should also be noted that anyone who has access to your driver’s license and other required documentation will also be able to renew your license on your behalf. However, the same is not possible with in-person renewals.