Like most identification documents, the driver’s licence has an expiration date, which you should be conscious of and remember that you must renew it. Failure to do so could result in a fine or penalty that you’d rather avoid, and additionally, you don’t want to end up even more out of pocket than you have to be.
If you have questions about how to renew your licence in Ontario or what you need to do it, don’t worry, MyChoice has you covered. In the following article, we explain everything you need to know.
How to Renew Your Driver’s Licence in Ontario
There are two ways to renew your driver’s licence in Ontario. The first one is in person by visiting one of the Service Ontario or local DriveTest centres. The second is online, through the official website of the Ontario government. However, not everyone is eligible for the second, here we explain whether you are eligible or not.
How Much Does It Cost to Renew Your Ontario Driver’s Licence?
Renewing your driver’s licence in Ontario costs $90 for a period of 5 years. This fee may vary if the renewal period is not 5 years or if you are over 76 years old. Additionally, if you need to update your driver’s licence photo, a fee of $35.75 is required. Updating your licence photo is needed every 10 years since your physical appearance will most likely not be the same.
How Driver’s Licence Renewal Affects Your Auto Insurance
Renewing your driver’s licence likely won’t affect your car insurance or its premiums. However, a failure to renew your licence might impact your rates since that implies you’re currently driving your car with an expired licence, which is illegal and can be grounds for penalties and higher rates from the insurer.
Things may get even more complicated if you get into an accident while holding an expired licence. The authorities will likely charge you for driving with an expired licence and hit you with demerit points or even a licence suspension. Since demerits and suspensions signify that you’re a risky driver, your insurance rates are very likely to rise.
What Happens to Your Licence If You Move Out of Ontario
If you move out of Ontario, you’ll need a new driver’s licence. Most provinces provide a grace period that lets you drive with your Ontario licence while you settle in. For instance, permanent Alberta residents must get an Alberta licence within 90 days of becoming a resident. Similarly, new British Columbia residents also have a 90-day grace period to get a BC licence.
When Should You Renew Your Driver’s Licence?
As we mentioned in the first part, Ontario requires its drivers to renew their driver’s licence every 5 years. Generally, you will be notified by mail or email two to three months before the expiration date. However, if the mail is lost or you miss the email in your spam folder. The “sorry, I forgot” is not an excuse not to renew it. In fact, it is illegal to drive with an expired, cancelled or suspended driver’s licence.
Although it may seem funny, as you get older you will need to have a better memory, because after 80 years of age you must renew your licence every 2 years.
If you know you are forgetful, it is best to make sure you place several reminders, write it down or you can sign up to the 30 or 60-day reminder feature via phone call, text and email that is available on the same renewal licence website. Remember that you have up to one year after your expiration date to renew online. If more time has passed, please note the following:
- Renewal 1 to 3 years after expiry date: You need to take a vision test.
- Renewal 3 to 10 years after expiry date: You need a vision test, written knowledge test, and road exams you had to pass for your G2 test and G level licence.
- Renewal 10 years or longer after expiry date: You have to complete the entire start all over again as a new driver.
How Long Will It Take to Receive Your New Driver’s Licence?
The actual process of renewing your driver’s licence online or in person takes a few minutes. After that, drivers typically receive their new driver’s licence in the mail within 4 to 6 weeks.
What Happens If You Drive with an Expired Licence in Ontario?
You cannot drive with an expired driver’s licence in Ontario. If you do, you can be fined anywhere from $200 to $1,000, your car can be impounded, and your licence can be suspended. All of the above would negatively affect your car insurance rate in the future and would most likely cause an increase in your premium.
Can You Renew Your Ontario Licence if it’s Lost?
If you are in Ontario and your driver’s licence is lost, stolen or damaged, you must go to Service Ontario with another personal photo ID and pay a fee of $35.75. There you will receive a temporary driver’s licence while you wait 4 to 6 weeks to receive the new licence.
Do You Also Have to Renew Your Licence Plate and Sticker?
Even if the renewal dates are not the same, remember that you must also renew your vehicle’s licence plate in Ontario. The licence plate renewal is free, and the period varies depending on the type of vehicle and whether you choose to renew for 1 or 2 years. Renewing licence plate stickers is no longer necessary, and you can actually get a refund if you paid for it between March 1, 2020, and March 12, 2022.
Renew Your Car Insurance at the Same Time
Depending on whether you purchased your auto insurance at the same time you got your driver’s licence, you probably want to review the car insurance rates that you’re paying.
Remember that the more kilometres travelled and the more years of driving experience with a good record, the better rates you can get.
Fortunately, comparing quotes and rates with MyChoice is free and easy. It only takes a couple of minutes to see if we can save you some money on your car insurance.
Key Advice from MyChoice
- You’ll receive an email reminder to renew your licence around two or three months before its expiration date.
- Driving with an expired licence may result in legal consequences, raised insurance rates, and other penalties.
- If you move out of Ontario, you need a new licence, but you usually get a grace period to qualify for your destination province’s licence.