Ontario driving license
Valid non-Ontario licenses may be used for the first 60 days while you get settled in the province. Once that time has elapsed, a valid Ontario license is required.
You may simply exchange your existing license for an Ontario license if your license is from:
- another Canadian province or territory; or
- Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, the Isle of Man, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Switzerland, Taiwan, USA.
Learner or novice licenses cannot be exchanged. However, you may still receive credit for previous experience and proceed through the Ontario licensing structure more quickly as a result.
To exchange your foreign license, you will need to go to an Ontario DriveTest centre, where you will:
- take an eye test;
- bring original identification showing your legal name, date of birth and signature;
- bring your valid non-Ontario licence;
- bring any original supporting documents that show proof of your driving experience;
- pay the applicable fees; and
- fill out an application form (where you will state how long you have been driving)
If you have less than two years of driving experience, you will receive a G1 license, which carries additional restrictions, including maintaining a zero blood alcohol level, and not driving between midnight and 5 a.m. Once you have accumulated two years of experience, you can sit your G2 road test to get a full Ontario driving license in Canada.
If your country is not listed above, then you will not be able to exchange your foreign licence for an Ontario license. You will need to sit a written test about road rules and traffic signage, take an eye test, and then sit a road test. If you have more than two years of foreign experience, you can sit the G2 road test and get a full license. If you have less than two years of driving experience, you may sit the G1 road test, and then the G2 road test when you’ve accumulated two years.
Read the official guidelines on obtaining an Ontario license.
Carsharing in Toronto
Carsharing is an increasingly popular transit option among newcomers to Toronto. To learn more and begin putting your new Canadian driving license to good use, visit our options for carsharing in Toronto page.
PEI driving license
Read the official guidelines on getting a PEI driving license.
Quebec driving license
Holders of non-Quebec licenses can drive on their existing license for the first six months after arrival. New residents must then obtain a Quebec driver license in Canada issued by the province of Quebec.
Those with licenses from the following countries can obtain a license without going through the full testing procedure:
- Austria
- Belgium
- France
- Great Britain: England, Scotland, Wales
- Germany
- Isle of Man
- Japan
- Northern Ireland
- Republic of Korea (South Korea)
- Switzerland
- The Netherlands: Holland and the Dutch Antilles (Sint Maarten, Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba and Sint Eustatius)
- Taiwan
Holders of licenses from these countries must provide these documents:
- Foreign driving licence
- Proof of Canadian citizenship, or right to stay in Canada
- Proof of residency in Quebec
- Proof of residency in the country in which your licence was issued if you obtained your licence within the previous three years
- Translation of your driving licence, if it is written in a language other than French or English.
You can schedule an appointment by calling (514) 954-7771 in Montreal, or 1-888-356-6616 elsewhere in Quebec. Canadian citizens may call (514) 873-7620 in the Montreal area, (418) 643-7620 in Quebec City, or 1-800-361-7620 elsewhere.
Holders of licenses from countries not listed above will still need to provide the above documents. The first step to getting a driver license in Canada issued by Quebec will be to sit the knowledge test, and then sit a road test. Road test appointments can be scheduled by calling 418 643-5213 in Québec City, 514 873-5803 in Montreal, and 1-888-667-8687 elsewhere.
Read the official guidelines on obtaining a Quebec driver license.
Carsharing in Montreal
It’s now easier than ever to get from A to B in Montreal, thanks to the increased popularity and availability of carsharing. To learn more, visit our options for carsharing in Montreal page.
Saskatchewan driving license
New residents in Saskatchewan can use their out-of-province license to legally drive for the first 90 days after arrival. From then on, you must use a valid driver license in Canada issued by Saskatchewan.
Holders of licenses from the following countries may exchange their license for an equivalent Saskatchewan license:
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- France
- Germany
- Isle of Man
- Japan
- Jersey
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Republic of Ireland
- South Korea
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- United Kingdom
- USA
Drivers with less than two years of experience will be placed into the relevant stage of the Graduated Driver License program.
Holders of licences from countries not listed above must pass written tests, complete nine months of practice as a learner, complete 12 hours of certified driving training, and pass a road test.
Read the official guidelines here.
Yukon driving license
There is an official guidelines on getting a Yukon driving license that can provide additional information.
More helpful information
Getting your driving license in Canada as a newcomer is just one thing off your to-do list. Now it’s time to explore.
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