The Ontario government says seniors will find it easier to renew their drivers’ licences beginning next month.
A news release issued by the province on Friday said seniors aged 80 and over will enjoy a “more convenient process” for renewing their licences beginning on Feb. 3.
Drivers in this age group will be able to complete mandatory vision and cognitive screening assessments and renew their licences in a single visit to some ServiceOntario centres.
By the spring, the service will be available at all ServiceOntario locations, the government said.
“Ontario’s seniors deserve a convenient and accessible way to renew their drivers’ licences, ensuring they can stay connected to their communities,” Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement Todd McCarthy said. “Reaffirming Ontario’s commitment to enhancing customer service and supporting the needs of seniors, this new streamlined process eliminates the need for seniors to visit multiple locations, cutting wait times, expanding access to essential services, and creating a more inclusive and efficient system across the province.”
Previously, drivers aged 80 and over were required to visit a separate location to complete their vision and cognitive screening assessments and then proceed to ServiceOntario to renew their drivers’ licences.
The new process will see seniors being sent renewal notices by mail about 90 days before their licence expires, along with instructions to book and appointment online or by phone. At their scheduled visit, they can complete required assessments and if eligible renew their licences on the spot.
The province said about 200,000 senior drivers’ licences are renewed each year in Ontario. There are about 400,000 drivers aged 80 and over in Ontario.