Rules at a glance
| Driver category | Main requirement |
|---|---|
| Ordinary G/M driver under 80 | Normal renewal cycle, generally every 5 years. |
| Ordinary G/M driver age 80+ | Renew every 2 years; complete vision screening and a short cognitive screening exercise. |
| Commercial driver age 65–79 | Annual medical report; testing requirements depend on class and driving record. |
| Commercial driver age 80+ | Annual medical report and annual vision, knowledge, and road testing. |
A road test is not automatic merely because an ordinary Class G or M driver turns 80. A physician report, detailed vision report, road test, or other requirement may be ordered when screening results or other safety information raises a concern. Medical fitness rules apply at every age.
Ordinary Class G or M renewal at age 80+
Starting at 80, renew every 2 years. Under the streamlined process introduced in 2025, the standard renewal screening appointment is completed at ServiceOntario. DriveTest becomes involved when additional testing, such as a road test, is required.
Standard renewal steps
- Receive the renewal application and instruction letter, generally up to 90 days before expiry.
- Watch the Ontario senior-driver educational video.
- Book the appointment using the instructions in the renewal letter.
- Attend the ServiceOntario appointment, generally about 15–20 minutes.
- Complete the vision screening and the approximately 5-minute cognitive screening exercise.
- Pay the current 2-year renewal fee of $36 when eligible to renew. Fees can change.
- Complete any additional requirement ordered by MTO or triggered by the screening results.
What to bring
- Your current or temporary driver's licence.
- The renewal application, if available.
- Corrective glasses or contact lenses used for driving and any glasses used for reading.
- Hearing aids, when needed.
Screening and additional testing
The standard age-80 cognitive exercise is a short screening tool, not the ordinary written knowledge test used in graduated licensing. Its purpose is to identify whether more information or testing is needed.
A concerning result may lead to a request for medical information, a DriveTest road test, or other directions in a written MTO notice.
If a road test is required
- DriveTest will normally contact the driver to arrange it.
- If unsuccessful, the licence may temporarily revert to Class G1 or M1 conditions until the test is passed.
- DriveTest recommends bringing a fully licensed accompanying driver with more than 4 years of experience.
Collision-related review from age 70: a driver age 70 or older who has been involved in a collision may receive a testing notice. It identifies the required tests, which generally must be completed within 60 days. This is separate from routine age-80 renewal.
Vision standards for ordinary G/M classes
| Requirement | Minimum standard |
|---|---|
| Visual acuity | Not poorer than 20/50, both eyes open and examined together, with or without corrective lenses. |
| Horizontal visual field | At least 120 degrees in total. |
| Corrective lenses | Permitted. An X condition on the licence means corrective lenses are required while driving. |
Failing the initial screen does not necessarily end the licence. The driver may receive a form for a physician, optometrist, or other vision specialist so detailed measurements can be reviewed.
Medical reporting and Ministry review
Section 203 of Ontario's Highway Traffic Act establishes mandatory and discretionary medical reporting. The rules are based on driving risk and functional impairment, not age alone.
| Health professional | Reporting authority |
|---|---|
| Physicians and nurse practitioners | Mandatory reporting for prescribed high-risk conditions; discretionary authority for other dangerous conditions. |
| Optometrists | Mandatory reporting for prescribed visual impairments; discretionary authority within their professional scope. |
| Occupational therapists | Discretionary authority to report conditions or impairments that may make driving dangerous. |
Prescribed high-risk categories include qualifying cognitive impairment, sudden-incapacitation risk, severe motor or sensory impairment, vision below the licensing standard, and certain uncontrolled substance-use, psychiatric, sleep-apnea, or diabetes conditions. A diagnosis, medication, or natural aging does not automatically require suspension; severity, control, treatment, and functional effect matter.
After reviewing a report, MTO may request more information, approve the driver with or without follow-up, impose conditions, downgrade the licence, or suspend it. Follow the Ministry letter exactly: deadlines, forms, symptom-free periods, and specialist requirements vary.
Reconsideration, appeals, and reinstatement
Many medical suspensions and medical licence downgrades can be appealed to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT). The MTO notice should say whether an appeal is available and identify the legal basis for the decision.
| Appeal point | Current information |
|---|---|
| Filing fee | $106 per licence or registration; non-refundable. |
| Hearing timing | Unless a later date is requested, LAT states it will schedule a hearing no later than 30 days after receiving a complete appeal. |
| Evidence | Medical reports are usually central because the issue is whether the condition is likely to interfere significantly with safe driving. |
| Decision-maker | The hearing panel includes a legally qualified medical practitioner. |
| Possible outcome | LAT may set aside the medical suspension or downgrade if the legal test is not proven. |
Commercial licences
Commercial Classes A, B, C, D, E, and F have stricter senior requirements.
| Age | General requirements |
|---|---|
| 65–79 | Annual medical examination report, including vision information. Knowledge and vision testing vary by class; a clean-record knowledge test is generally required every 5 years. |
| 80+ | Annual medical report plus annual vision, knowledge, and road tests. |
A voluntary downgrade to Class G may simplify renewal when commercial privileges are no longer needed. Regaining the commercial class later may require vision, knowledge, and road testing.
Practical checklist and contacts
- Confirm MTO has your current mailing address.
- Read every page of the renewal package and note expiry, appointment, and testing requirements.
- Watch the educational video and gather your licence, application, glasses, and hearing aids.
- If a medical, vision, or road-test requirement is ordered, act promptly and keep copies and proof of submission.
- If suspended or downgraded, read the legal authority and deadlines in the notice before choosing reconsideration, new evidence, or an appeal.
| Office | Contact |
|---|---|
| Senior renewal appointment | 1-800-396-4233; GTA: 416-235-3579 |
| MTO Medical Review Section | 416-235-1773; Ontario toll-free: 1-800-268-1481 |
| MTO Driver Control Section | 416-235-1086; Ontario toll-free: 1-800-303-4993 |
| Licence Appeal Tribunal | 416-326-1356; toll-free: 1-888-444-0240 |
Telephone numbers and fees can change. Confirm them on the official website or in the latest notice.
Official starting points
- DriveTest: senior driver's licence renewals
- DriveTest: vision tests and licensing standards
- Ontario: renew a G driver's licence at 80+
- Ontario: reporting a driver for medical review
- Ontario: medical review for drivers
- Highway Traffic Act, section 203
- Ontario Regulation 38/18
- LAT medical driver's licence appeal information
- Source PDF: Ontario Driver's Licence Rules for Seniors (2026)
General legal and administrative information—not legal or medical advice. Rules, fees, telephone numbers, and administrative practices can change. A Ministry notice or licence condition issued to a particular driver takes priority.