For adults 80 years of age and older, there are special requirements for renewing your Ontario driver’s licence and for continuing to drive legally. If your licence has expired or is about to expire, you must complete a Senior Driver Group Education Session and vision testing requirements before you can renew it. The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has provided information to help seniors update their driving knowledge and successfully complete the above requirements. In this article, we have the five steps on how to renew a senior driver’s licence, as well as included helpful links and videos to help prepare for your appointment.

Step 1: Receive a renewal application

Before your licence expires, you will receive the following in the mail:

The letter and renewal application form will arrive up to 90 days before your licence expires.

Step 2: Watch the educational video 

Before attending the renewal session:

Step 3: Book an appointment

Once you receive your renewal application form and letter to renew your senior driver’s licence, you must attend a Senior Driver Group Education session.

To book the appointment:

  • Call 1-800-396-4233 (toll free) or 416-235-3579 (in the Greater Toronto Area)
  • Provide your driver’s licence number
  • Let them know about any language barriers
  • Alert them if you require additional accommodations, such as a sign-language interpreter

When you call, you will get the date, time and location of your session. Sessions are held at various locations across the province.

If you can’t attend the day of your session, you may reschedule your appointment. Should you be out of Ontario when your licence expires, you may renew your driver’s licence up to 180 days before it expires.

If the next available appointment is after your driver’s licence expires, you may be eligible to get a temporary driver’s licence extension.

Step 4: Attend a senior driver group education session

What to bring to the renewal session:

  • Your driver’s licence (or temporary driver’s licence)
  • The licence renewal application, if available
  • Corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses you use for driving, as well as any used for reading
  • Hearing aids, if needed
  • Water, as it may not necessarily be available at specific locations
  • Snacks for those with dietary requirements (i.e. diabetics that need to regulate sugar intake)

At the session, you will:

  • Have an opportunity to watch the educational video if you were not able to prior
  • Complete a vision assessment
  • Complete a five-minute in-class screening exercise

After the session, you may need to:

  • Renew your driver’s licence by paying a $36 renewal fee at ServiceOntario
  • Before renewing, you may also be asked to complete one or more of the following:
    • Pass a road test
    • Follow up with your doctor and submit medical information
    • Provide additional vision information from a doctor or optometrist

This will depend on how well you performed on the in-class screening components and a review of your driving record. If additional medical information is required, you will be notified by mail. A driver improvement counsellor at the group education session will tell you the next steps. These steps are to ensure that your senior driver’s licence reflects your current capabilities and identifies any issues.

Step 5: Receive a new driver’s licence

After you complete the renewal requirements you may renew your licence online or if necessary, visit a ServiceOntario centre. If you renew your driver’s licence at a ServiceOntario centre, you may need to bring original identification that shows your legal name, date of birth and signature if your licence has already expired.

Find a ServiceOntario centre near you

It is important as a driver in Ontario to always make sure that our licence and insurance are up to date. When you renew a senior driver’s licence, additional testing is required to ensure that seniors are still comfortable and competent to drive.

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