How to Renew Your Canadian Driver's Licence
Renewing a driver's licence in Canada is provincial. Ontario renews every 5 years (~$90), through ServiceOntario. BC renews every 5 years (~$75), through ICBC. Other provinces set their own cycles and fees. Most provinces allow online renewal, if your photo and details are current. If not, visit in person for a new photo. Driving on an expired licence risks fines and insurance trouble. A drivers licence renewal is the same process in every province: check your expiry, renew online or in person, and carry proof while the new card is mailed.
At a glance
- Cost:
- Varies by province ($75–$90 typical for 5 years)
- Total time:
- 2–6 weeks by mail
- Steps:
- 5 steps
- Where to apply:
- canada.ca, ircc.canada.ca, cra-arc.gc.ca, or your provincial agency
Last reviewed November 2026 against official sources. Re-checked annually · next review due November 2027.
The Steps
Follow these in order
Each card shows the phase, expected time, and any cost. Data checked against official CAN sources(November 2026).
0 of 5 steps
- Before You Go 10 min
Check your expiry and provincial rules
Look at the expiry date on your licence. Provinces mail reminders, but they go missing. Check three things: your province's renewal window (usually up to 6 months early), the fee, and whether online renewal is open to you.
Click to mark as done
- Fill / Prepare 10 min
Renew online if eligible
Ontario (ServiceOntario) and most other provinces offer online renewal. Your photo must be recent, and your details must be unchanged. BC does not yet offer online renewal. In BC, you renew in person at ICBC offices only. Online renewals are legislated to launch in spring 2027. Pay by card. The new licence arrives by mail, in about 4–6 weeks in Ontario. When you renew online within 28 days of your expiry, or after it, Ontario gives you a temporary printable validation document to carry.
Click to mark as done
- Go 30–60 min
Or renew in person for a new photo
Visit a ServiceOntario centre, an ICBC driver licensing office, or your provincial equivalent. Bring your licence. Staff take a new photo on the spot. Some locations take walk-ins. Others need an appointment.
Click to mark as done
- Wait 2–6 weeks
Carry proof while the card is mailed
Keep your renewal receipt or temporary licence with you. It proves your right to drive if you are stopped. The permanent card follows by mail. Contact the agency if it has not arrived within the stated window.
Click to mark as done
- Receive 5 min
Destroy the old licence
When the new card arrives, cut up the old one. It carries identity details. Check the new card's classes, restrictions, and address. Then file it away.
Click to mark as done
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my licence already expired?
Renew right away. Most provinces add no penalty for a short lapse. But driving with an expired licence is an offence. It can also void your insurance. A licence expired for a long time may need re-testing. This is typically 1–3 years, by province.
I moved provinces. Do I renew or exchange?
You exchange it. You do not renew it. New residents must swap their licence within 60–90 days. The exact time varies by province. Bring your current licence. Most provinces waive testing for licences from reciprocal jurisdictions.
Do seniors face extra requirements?
At 80+, Ontario renews your licence every 2 years, for a $36 fee. First, you watch a senior driver education video. Then you book a ServiceOntario appointment. You get a vision assessment and a 5-minute cognitive screening exercise. A road test follows only if something is flagged. Other provinces have similar senior renewal programs.
What do I need to renew my licence?
To renew your driver's licence, you need your current licence, proof of address if you moved, and a payment method — fees vary by province, about $75–$90 typical for 5 years. Some in-person renewals for seniors need a vision test. If your photo and details are current, most provinces let you renew online; otherwise visit in person for a new photo.
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