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Last Updated On 07.10.2026
Losing your driver’s licence can create an immediate problem, especially if you drive to work, operate a vehicle for business, or regularly use your licence as photo identification.
Fortunately, replacing a lost, stolen or damaged Ontario driver’s licence is relatively straightforward when you follow the correct process.
If you are currently in Ontario, a replacement must normally be requested in person at a ServiceOntario centre. The replacement fee is $35.75, you receive a temporary driver’s licence after the transaction, and the new photo card is normally mailed within 4 to 6 weeks.
The process is different if you are temporarily outside Ontario, so your location matters before you start.
What Should You Do After Losing Your Driver’s Licence?
Act quickly after discovering that your licence is missing. A driver’s licence contains personal information that could potentially be misused, particularly when it disappears with a wallet, bank cards or other identification.
You should:
- Check whether the licence has simply been misplaced
- Contact your local police and file a report if it is lost or stolen
- Record the police report or occurrence number
- Check whether other cards or documents are also missing
- Monitor financial accounts if your wallet or purse was stolen
- Arrange a replacement as soon as possible
If your address has recently changed, make sure your records are correct before relying on mail delivery. It can also help to understand how to update your address through ServiceOntario when more than one provincial document needs updating.
How To Replace A Lost Driver’s Licence In Ontario?
For someone physically located in Ontario, replacing the card is an in-person process.
Step 1: Find A ServiceOntario Centre
Locate a centre that provides driver’s licence replacement services. Services can differ between locations, so checking the location before travelling can prevent an unnecessary visit.
Appointments are offered at many centres, although availability varies. If you prefer a scheduled visit, knowing how to book a ServiceOntario appointment can help you plan ahead.
Appointments can generally be booked several weeks in advance at participating locations. Some locations also accept walk-ins, although waiting times can vary.
Step 2: Bring Acceptable Identification
You need identification that verifies your:
- Name
- Date of birth
- Signature
A valid passport may satisfy these requirements.
Another possible combination is a valid Ontario photo health card together with a Canadian provincial or territorial birth certificate.
The exact documents needed can depend on what identification you still have available. Bring original, valid documents rather than relying on photographs or photocopies unless specifically instructed otherwise.
Step 3: Request The Replacement
Tell the representative that your driver’s licence has been lost, stolen or damaged.
You do not normally need to apply at a DriveTest centre simply because the physical licence card is missing. DriveTest has different responsibilities, including testing and parts of the new-driver licensing process.
Step 4: Pay The Replacement Fee
The current cost of replacing a lost, stolen or damaged Ontario driver’s licence is:
$35.75
There is no separate standard processing fee, shipping fee or late replacement charge added to that amount.
Step 5: Keep Your Temporary Licence
After the replacement transaction is completed, you will receive a temporary driver’s licence.
Keep it somewhere secure because it provides evidence of your driving entitlement while you wait for the replacement photo card.
Your new licence should normally arrive by mail within 4 to 6 weeks.
Lost Driver’s Licence Replacement Cost And Timeline
| Replacement Detail | Current Process |
| Replacement fee | $35.75 |
| Application in Ontario | In person |
| Where to apply | Participating ServiceOntario centre |
| Temporary licence | Issued after the in-person transaction |
| New card delivery | Normally 4 to 6 weeks |
| Separate postage fee | No |
| Standard late replacement fee | No |
The replacement process should not be confused with renewing an expiring licence. Replacing a missing card generally maintains the existing licensing record rather than giving you a fresh five-year licence period.
Can You Drive If Your Ontario Licence Is Lost?
Ontario drivers are required to carry their driver’s licence while in charge of a motor vehicle and produce it for inspection when requested by an authorized officer.
For that reason, discovering that your physical card is missing should not simply be ignored.
When you replace the licence in person, you receive a temporary driver’s licence that you can carry while waiting for the photo card.
Remember that a temporary driver’s licence may not function exactly like a normal photo identification card for every non-driving purpose. Banks, airlines, employers and other organizations can have their own identification requirements.
What If You Lose Your Driver’s Licence Outside Ontario?
Replacement options are different when you are physically outside the province.
Whether you will be away for less than six months or more than six months affects what can be issued.
| Your Situation | What You Can Request | Expected Delivery |
| In Ontario | Replacement in person | Temporary licence immediately, photo card in 4–6 weeks |
| Outside Ontario for under 6 months | One-time temporary licence if eligible | Normally mailed within 1–2 weeks after processing |
| Outside Ontario for over 6 months | Replacement using your current photo and expiry date if eligible | Normally 4–6 weeks |
Outside Ontario For Less Than Six Months
If you have a valid licence that has not been cancelled or suspended, you may request a one-time temporary driver’s licence to be sent to your out-of-province address.
The temporary document is valid for a fixed period.
When you return to Ontario, you must visit a ServiceOntario centre to complete the replacement process.
An online request generates a Signature Authorization Form. The required authorization must be received within 15 business days, or the request may be cancelled.
Outside Ontario For More Than Six Months
If you will remain outside Ontario for more than six months and your licence remains valid, you may be eligible to have the physical card replaced using your existing photograph and current expiry date.
The required authorization documents and payment must also be received within 15 business days when applicable.
The replacement is normally mailed to your out-of-province address within 4 to 6 weeks after processing.
Applying By Mail Or Fax From Outside Ontario
Someone outside Ontario can also submit a signed request by mail or fax.
The request should include:
- Your driver’s licence number, if known
- Your full name and date of birth if you do not know the licence number
- How long you expect to remain outside Ontario
- Your out-of-province mailing address
- Your telephone number and/or email address
The mailing address is:
Ministry of Transportation
Information Services Office
Special Enquiry Unit
87 Sir William Hearst Avenue, Room 178
Toronto, Ontario
M3M 0B4
Fax: 416-235-4414
For these outside-Ontario requests, payment can be made using an accepted cheque or money order from a Canadian bank account, or by an approved credit-card authorization.
Visa and Mastercard are accepted for credit-card authorization. American Express, Visa Debit and Mastercard Debit are not accepted for this specific mail or fax payment process.
What If Your Driver’s Licence Was Stolen?
A stolen licence should be treated as both a missing driving document and a potential identity-security issue.
Start by filing a police report. If the licence disappeared along with other identification, bank cards or personal documents, also check whether any unauthorized activity has occurred.
Consider taking these additional steps:
- Contact financial institutions if bank or credit cards were stolen
- Review credit reports for unfamiliar accounts or inquiries
- Consider placing fraud alerts with Canada’s major credit bureaus
- Report suspected identity fraud through the appropriate national fraud-reporting service
- Replace any other stolen government identification
- Change compromised passwords or account information where necessary
- Keep copies of police reports and reference numbers
A fraud alert can be particularly useful after a wallet or purse containing personal identification has been stolen because it alerts potential lenders that extra verification may be necessary.
What If Your Entire Wallet Was Lost?
Losing a driver’s licence is often only one part of a lost-wallet problem. Make a list of every missing item before requesting replacements.
If your OHIP card disappeared at the same time, follow the appropriate procedure to replace a lost Ontario health card.
If important identity documents were also lost, the process for a lost birth certificate in Ontario is separate from replacing a driver’s licence.
You may also need to deal with:
- Debit and credit cards
- Passport
- Permanent resident card
- Employee identification
- Student identification
- Transit cards
- Insurance documents
Contact the organization responsible for each document rather than attempting to replace everything through a single service.
Replacement Licence Vs Renewal, Driver Record And Document Copy
Several driver-related services sound similar but serve different purposes.
| Service | What It Is For |
| Replacement licence | Replaces a physical licence that was lost, stolen or damaged |
| Licence renewal | Extends an eligible licence that is approaching or has reached expiry |
| Driver record or abstract | Provides information from your driving history |
| Copy of driver documents | Provides copies of documents previously filed in your driver record |
A replacement licence currently costs $35.75. A common uncertified three-year driver record costs $12, while a certified version costs $18.
Copies of driver documents are a different product. An uncertified copy generally costs $6, and these document-copy requests can take approximately 6 to 8 weeks.
Ordering a driver document copy does not replace a missing licence card.
Should You Replace Or Renew A Licence Near Expiry?
Check the expiry date before completing a replacement if you know your licence is due to expire soon.
A replacement and a renewal are different transactions. Replacing the card deals with the missing physical document, while renewal extends the licensing period.
Depending on your circumstances and renewal eligibility, it may make more sense to discuss renewal rather than paying for a replacement shortly before the existing licence expires.
Do not assume that paying the $35.75 replacement fee automatically extends the expiry date.
How To Avoid Driver’s Licence Replacement Scams?
Use caution when searching online for replacement services. A private website may look official while charging additional service fees or collecting personal information unnecessarily.
Before submitting sensitive information:
- Confirm you are using an official provincial service
- Check the website address carefully
- Do not send your licence details to unknown businesses
- Do not post photographs of your driver’s licence online
- Be suspicious of unexpected replacement or processing charges
- Avoid websites claiming they can bypass identification requirements
- Never provide banking passwords or account PINs
The standard replacement fee should not suddenly become substantially higher because of unexplained processing, postage or handling charges.
Ontario Driver’s Licence Replacement Contact Details
For questions about replacing a licence while outside Ontario or handling an unusual situation, driver and vehicle enquiries can be directed to:
Toronto: 416-235-2999
Toll-free within Canada: 1-800-387-3445
TTY: 416-325-3408
Regular telephone support is generally available Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time, excluding holidays.
Conclusion
A lost drivers license in Ontario should be replaced as soon as possible, particularly if you rely on it for daily driving, work, business travel or identification.
If you are in Ontario, the standard process is to visit a ServiceOntario centre, pay the $35.75 replacement fee, and use the temporary licence provided while your new card is mailed.
The process is different if you are outside Ontario, so make sure you follow the correct procedure based on how long you will be away. If the licence was stolen rather than simply misplaced, filing a police report and watching for signs of identity fraud are also sensible precautions.
Before applying, check whether your licence is close to expiry, suspended or already expired, as replacement, renewal and reinstatement are separate processes.
Keeping your address and identification details current can also help prevent delays when your replacement licence is issued.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Lost Driver’s Licence In Ontario?
The current replacement fee is $35.75. There is no normal additional mailing, shipping or late-replacement fee.
Can I Replace My Lost Ontario Driver’s Licence Online?
Not normally if you are physically in Ontario. Ontario residents replacing a lost, stolen or damaged licence generally need to visit a ServiceOntario centre in person. Special online, mail and fax options exist for people outside Ontario.
How Long Does A Replacement Driver’s Licence Take?
The new photo card normally arrives by mail within 4 to 6 weeks. Someone replacing it in person receives a temporary driver’s licence while waiting.
Do G1 And G2 Drivers Follow The Same Replacement Process?
A valid novice licence is still a driver’s licence, and the general replacement instructions do not provide a separate lost-card process for valid G1 or G2 holders. However, special restrictions can apply if a novice licence expires, particularly while the holder is outside Ontario.
What Happens If I Find My Old Licence After Getting A Replacement?
Use the current replacement card rather than keeping two licence cards in circulation. If the previously lost card was reported stolen or you are unsure of its status, confirm how it should be handled before using or disposing of it.
Can Someone Else Replace My Driver’s Licence For Me?
The normal replacement process for someone in Ontario requires an in-person visit and identity verification. A standard proxy replacement option is not provided for ordinary lost-licence applications, so you should expect to attend yourself unless specific accommodation has been arranged.
Does A Replacement Driver’s Licence Get A New Expiry Date?
A replacement should not be treated as a renewal. For eligible people outside Ontario for more than six months, the replacement is specifically issued using the current photograph and existing expiry date.
What If My Lost Licence Was Already Expired Or Suspended?
Replacing a missing physical card does not remove a suspension or automatically renew an expired licence. You may need to complete the appropriate renewal, reinstatement or licensing process instead.
Do I Need New Photos Or A Vision Test To Replace A Lost Licence?
A routine lost-card replacement does not normally require you to provide two recent photographs or complete a new vision test simply because the physical licence was lost. Additional requirements can apply if another licensing transaction, such as renewal or reinstatement, is also needed.
