Getting your Ontario driver’s licence is always an exciting moment. However, we’ve all fell victim to losing a wallet or licence in the past. If you have been lucky enough to never experience this, you may still wonder how to go about renewing your licence. Luckily for you, isure has written a quick guide to renewing or editing the information on your Ontario driver’s licence below.
How can I change the information on my Ontario driver’s licence?
Depending on what exactly you are trying to change on your driver’s licence, it can sometimes be a process. For a name change, sex designation, date of birth or height modification, you will need to visit ServiceOntario. Most of the time, this will depend on what items you have on hand. Please see requirements below, based on changes that need to be made.
Address change
Did you know that by law, you must change your driver’s licence address within six days after moving? Changing the address assigned to your driver’s licence is actually quite simple, and can be done entirely online. You simply visit the Ontario Address Change web page! When you move addresses, you are obligated to change the address on all forms of identification. In order to do so, you must have your old driver’s licence number on hand, as well as the issue date. There is no charge to do this and once done, it will arrive in 4-6 weeks.
Remove/add vision condition
If you begin to or no longer need to wear contacts or glasses, you’ll have to update your driver’s licence so that it accurately states any visual conditions you may have. In order to do so, you must visit a DriveTest centre. If you are in Toronto, you may also visit the ServiceOntario location at Bay and College. When visiting, you must have your current driver’s licence and a letter from an optometrist. In some cases, you may have to take an eye test, as well.
Name change
Depending on your situation, there can be many reasons why you may need to change your name on your driver’s licence. In order to do so, you will need to visit an Ontario DriveTest Centre with documents proving identification. These documents must show your date of birth, signature and your legal name as it currently is. Your legal name is the one that was registered at birth or changed legally through adoption.
Sex designation
In order to change your sex designation from Male to Female or Female to Male, you will need to visit a ServiceOntario centre and bring a valid short or long form birth certificate.
With that being said, we understand that not everybody is able to have their birth certificate on hand. If this is the case, you will unfortunately have to take the extra necessary steps. This includes a letter from your doctor stating the change in your sex designation is appropriate. You will also need a letter from yourself that states the changes that you want to make.
If you’d like to change your sex from male or female to X (gender neutral), you can simply visit ServiceOntario without the need of any supporting documents.
Height
If you want to change the height on your Ontario driver’s licence, you can visit ServiceOntario without any supporting documents.
Date of birth
However, if for whatever reason your birth date is incorrect on your licence, you will also need a few supporting documents during your trip to ServiceOntario. These items may include:
- Birth certificate
- Government issued copy of statement of live birth (if applicable)
- Citizen card (if applicable)
- Canadian certificate of Indian status (if applicable)
- Permanent resident card (if applicable)
- Permanent resident form (if applicable)
- Record of landing (if applicable)
Of course, not all of these will be needed for every person. It is always important to research or call ahead and see what documents pertain to you. The cost to do the above is $0 and will take about 4-6 weeks. In the meantime, ServiceOntario will issue you a new temporary driver licence or confirmation. Once you receive your new licence in the mail, you are to dispose of your old one, which will be considered void.
How can I replace my Ontario driver’s licence if it’s been lost, stolen or damaged?
Replacing a driver’s licence in Ontario is actually quite simple! If your card is lost, damaged or stolen while in the province, you will need to visit a ServiceOntario centre. You’ll also need to bring a few documents in order to verify yourself:
- Personal identification document that states your name, date of birth and signature.
- Examples include a valid passport, a photo health card or a birth certificate issued by a province or territory.
Once you pay the fee of $35.75 for the new card, you will be given a temporary driver’s licence to use in the meantime. This way, you can still get behind the wheel until your new card comes in. As mentioned above, this generally takes four to six weeks.
Travelling outside of Ontario?
If you are outside of Ontario and need to replace your driver’s licence, you will have to follow a few more steps:
- Submit a request by mail/fax OR fill out an online request form
- Afterwards, you will need to pay the $35.75 fee by mailing a cheque or money order OR mailing/faxing a credit card authorization form
“When you return to Ontario, you will need to visit a ServiceOntario centre to replace the temporary licence with a new driver’s licence.” Contact 416-235-2999 or (toll-free)1-800-387-3445 for more information.
How can I renew my driver’s licence?
Renewing a driver’s licence in Ontario is also quite easy! An Ontario licence is valid for five years. You can renew it up to 180 days before your expiration date. Generally speaking, this can be done in just a few minutes by going to a ServiceOntario centre. This is as long as you have your full licence (up to G) and have not moved in the past 90 days. For additional convenience, renewing your licence, as well as your health card, can also be done online. As long as you have your card in hand, it can be done quickly and conveniently!
If you are out of the province when your licence expires, or you will be once it expires, you may be able to renew online. Additionally, you’ll be sent a temporary licence that allows you to drive for up to six months. However, this does not work if your licence is cancelled, suspended or has been expired for over a year. To obtain your temporary licence, you can submit a request online or mail information to the Ministry Of Transportation. If you are moving permanently outside of the province, you’ll have to check with local officials to see what steps you will need to take.
Performing a driver’s licence check
If you’re unsure of your licence status, it’s easy as ever to check online using The Driver’s Licence Check. This tool, also known as a ‘DLC’, is an online service created for residents and businesses in Ontario to conveniently check the status of their driver’s licence.
We hope this guide helps answer any questions you may have when it comes to your Ontario driver’s licence. If you are a new driver in need of an auto insurance policy, get a quote from us today!
