Licence in Canada

Licencing Authorities in Canada

NEW RESIDENTS (New Immigrant):-

Driving in Canada

  • [ONTARIO] When you move to Ontario, you can use a valid licence from another province, state or country for 60 days. After 60 days, you need to switch to an Ontario driver’s licence.(1)
  • [QUEBEC] When you move to Quebec, you can use a valid licence from your country for 6 months. After 6 months, you need to switch to Quebec's driver’s licence.(2)

Licence Exchange (out-of-province)

Licence can be exchanged if you are relocating from:

  • any Canadian province or territory
  • Canadian Armed Forces
  • U.S. States
  • Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, the Isle of Man, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Switzerland, Taiwan

Note: You cannot exchange learner's permit/novice-class driver's licence from another state/province/country. You cannot exchange motorcycle class licence from Japan, South Korea, Germany, France, Great Britain, Austria, Belgium, Isle of Man, or Republic of Ireland.

TEMPORARY RESIDENTS / Non-Residents (Visitors, Tourists, etc.):-

Driving in Canada

  • [ONTARIO] Staying for LESS THAN 3 Months : you can use a valid driver’s licence from your own province, state or country.
  • [ONTARIO] Staying for MORE THAN 3 Months : you will need an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) from your own country. This is a special licence that allows motorists to drive internationally when accompanied by a valid driver’s licence from their country. You need to have this permit with you when you arrive - you cannot apply for it once you arrive in Canada.
  • [QUEBEC] Staying for 6 Months : you may drive with foreign driver's licence for 6 consecutive months.
  • [QUEBEC] Staying for MORE THAN 6 Months : You must hold a valid international driving permit to be allowed to continue to drive on Québec roads. You must always drive with both licences – your foreign driver's licence and your international driving permit. You are allowed to drive in Québec for as long as your international driving permit remains valid.
  • [QUEBEC] For Foreign Students/Trainees from another province or country : you are allowed to drive on foreign licence for the duration of your studies or traineeship with your foreign driver's licence

In all cases, you need to make sure licence:

        • is valid
        • authorizes you to drive the type of vehicle that you are using

GENERAL RULES:-

Proof of driving experience

  • You can self-declare one year of driving experience, by showing a valid, original foreign driver’s licence.
  • If you want to earn credit for more than one year of driving experience, you will also need an official letter from the foreign government or agency that issued the driver’s licence, confirming that the licence is authentic. This letter needs to be written in English or French.
  • You do not need a letter if you are exchanging a novice licence from another province.
  • To switch your licence, you need to apply in-person.
<<Ontario - Licence Exchange for Non-reciprocating Jurisdictions>>

All applicants for an Ontario driver’s licence are required to present a valid foreign driver’s licence, pass a vision test, a knowledge test, pay all applicable fees and provide acceptable proof of identity.

→ Applicants who fulfill these requirements can obtain a G1 licence. The applicant may take their G1 exit test with 12 months of combined Ontario and foreign experience.
→ The 12-month waiting period will be reduced to eight months with the successful completion of a ministry-approved, beginner driver education course.
→ Applicants are required to provide adequate proof of foreign-licensed driving experience. However, the ministry may accept an applicant’s declaration of their foreign-licensed driving experience for up to 12 months.
→ For more than 12 months’ experience, applicants must provide an authenticated letter from their embassy/ consulate or licencing agency in English or French. A full 24 months of Ontario and foreign experience is required prior to attempting their G2 exit test.
→ Only experience within the past three years may be credited.