Moving from an international to Canadian driver’s licence: a Provincial and Territorial Guide

Credit to Author: Canadian Immigrant| Date: Fri, 29 Nov 2024 15:49:40 +0000

As a newcomer to Canada, you might already have a driver’s licence and substantial driving experience from your home country. But does that mean you can automatically drive in Canada? The answer depends on the province or territory you live in. New residents with a valid driver’s licence from another country can typically use their existing licence for 60 to 90 days, depending on the province or territory. After this period, you are required to obtain a valid Canadian driver’s licence.

It’s essential to check the specific rules and requirements with the Ministry of Transportation or equivalent authority in your province, as regulations and processes vary across Canada.

Driving in British Columbia

Newcomers to British Columbia can drive using their foreign driver’s licence for up to 90 days. After that, they must exchange their licence for a valid B.C. driver’s licence. B.C. has reciprocal agreements with several countries, allowing newcomers to exchange their licence without taking a road test. These countries include: United States, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

To exchange a foreign licence for a B.C. licence, drivers must visit an ICBC driver licensing office and provide the following:

Government-issued identification showing their legal name, date of birth, and signature.
Proof of residency in B.C. (e.g., utility bills or lease agreements).
A valid foreign driver’s licence and supporting documents to verify driving experience.
A certified translation of their licence or documents if they are not in English or French.
Completion of a vision test.
Payment of the required fees (as of 2025, a five-year licence costs approximately $75).

For newcomers from non-reciprocal countries, the process includes:

Knowledge test: Drivers must pass a written exam on B.C.’s driving rules.
Road test: After passing the knowledge test, drivers must take a road test to demonstrate their skills. For those starting without a licence or experience, B.C. requires participation in the Graduated Licensing Program (GLP), which involves:

A learner’s licence for one year (requires supervision and includes restrictions such as no night driving).
A novice licence for two years, allowing unsupervised driving with some restrictions.
A full licence after passing an advanced road test.

For more details, visit ICBC’s website at www.icbc.com.

Driving in Alberta

Newcomers in Alberta can drive with their foreign licence for up to 90 days. After this period, they are required to exchange their licence for an Alberta driver’s licence. Alberta allows drivers from reciprocal countries to exchange their licence without a road test. These countries include: United States, Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Korea, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

To exchange a licence, drivers must:

Provide government-issued identification showing their legal name, date of birth, and signature.
Provide proof of residency in Alberta.
Submit their valid foreign driver’s licence along with proof of driving experience.
Provide a certified translation of documents not in English or French.
Complete a vision test.
Pay the required fees (as of 2025, approximately $93 for a five-year licence).

For drivers from non-reciprocal countries, the process includes:

Knowledge test: Pass a written test on Alberta’s driving laws.
Road test: Obtain a Class 7 Learner’s Licence, practice for one year, then take a road test to upgrade to a probationary Class 5 licence.

Alberta’s Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Program requires:

Learner’s licence for one year, allowing driving with supervision.
Probationary licence for two years with fewer restrictions.
Full licence after passing an advanced road test with a clean record.

More information is available at www.alberta.ca/drivers-licence.aspx.

Driving in Saskatchewan

Newcomers to Saskatchewan can use their foreign licence for up to 90 days. After this, they must exchange their licence for a Saskatchewan driver’s licence. Saskatchewan has reciprocal agreements with several countries, including: United States, Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Isle of Man, Japan, Jersey, Netherlands, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Korea, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

To exchange a licence, newcomers must:

Visit an SGI Motor Licence Issuer.
Provide government-issued identification showing their legal name, date of birth, and signature.
Provide proof of residency in Saskatchewan.
Submit a valid foreign driver’s licence along with proof of driving experience.
Provide a certified translation of documents not in English or French.
Complete a vision test.
Pay the required fees (as of 2025, a five-year licence costs approximately $100).

For drivers from non-reciprocal countries, the process includes:

Knowledge test: Pass a written exam to obtain a Class 7 Learner’s Licence.
- Restrictions: Drivers must be supervised, avoid driving between midnight and 5 a.m., and are limited to one passenger who is not an immediate family member.
Road test: After nine months, drivers can take a road test to upgrade to a Class 5 Novice Licence, which allows unsupervised driving with fewer restrictions.
Full licence: After holding a Novice Licence for one year with a clean driving record, drivers automatically graduate to a Class 5 Full Licence.

Additional resources are available at sgi.sk.ca.

Driving in Manitoba

Newcomers to Manitoba can use their foreign driver’s licence for up to three months before they must apply for a provincial driver’s licence. Manitoba has reciprocal agreements with several countries. Newcomers with a valid licence from the following locations may exchange their foreign licence for a Manitoba driver’s licence without a road test: United States, Austria, France, Germany, Isle of Man, Northern Ireland, Republic of Korea (South Korea), Switzerland, and the United Kingdom (including its territories).

To exchange a licence, individuals must:

Provide government-issued identification showing their legal name, date of birth, and signature.
Present their valid foreign driver’s licence and supporting documents verifying their driving experience.
Complete a vision test.
Provide a certified translation of any documents not in English or French.
Pay the applicable fees (as of 2025, a standard licence exchange costs approximately $65).
Complete the necessary application form, specifying how long they have been driving internationally.

Newcomers from countries not listed above must complete additional steps:

Knowledge test: Pass a written test on Manitoba’s road rules and traffic signs.
Road test: Successfully complete a driving test after holding a learner’s permit.

Manitoba follows a Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Program for those starting without a full licence. This includes:

Learner’s permit: Requires supervision by a fully licensed driver, with restrictions such as no driving between midnight and 5 a.m.
- Permit holders must maintain a clean record for nine months (or five months with approved driver training).
Intermediate stage: Drivers can operate vehicles unsupervised.
- This licence is held for 15 months incident-free before automatic graduation to a full Class 5 licence.

For more details, visit the Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) website at www.mpi.mb.ca.

Driving in Ontario

International drivers in Ontario can use their foreign driver’s licence for up to 60 days before they are required to exchange it for an Ontario licence. Ontario allows newcomers with valid licences from reciprocal countries to exchange their licence without a road test. These countries include: United States, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, Northern Ireland, Republic of Korea (South Korea), Australia, Isle of Man, Great Britain, France, and Belgium.

To exchange a licence, individuals must:

Visit a DriveTest centre.
Provide original identification showing their legal name, date of birth, signature, and proof of residency in Ontario.
Present their valid foreign driver’s licence and any supporting documents proving their driving experience.
Complete a vision test.
Provide a certified translation of any documents not in English or French.
Pay the required fees (as of 2025, licence exchange fees range from $90 to $120).

Drivers from countries not listed above must follow Ontario’s Graduated Licensing System (GLS), which includes:

Knowledge test: Complete a one-hour written test on Ontario’s driving rules. Passing this test allows individuals to drive with a fully licensed supervisor.
G2 road test: After eight months with a learner’s permit, drivers can take this test to gain more privileges, including driving at any time but maintaining a zero blood alcohol limit.
Full licence (G): After 12 months with a G2 licence, drivers can take an advanced road test to qualify for a full licence, allowing highway driving and removal of most restrictions.

For further details, visit the Ontario Ministry of Transportation website at www.mto.gov.on.ca or call toll-free at 1-800-387-3445.

Driving in Quebec

New residents in Quebec have six months from the date of their arrival to apply for a provincial driver’s licence. If you hold a valid driver’s licence from one of the following countries, you can exchange it for a Quebec licence after passing a vision test and paying the applicable fees: United States, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, Northern Ireland, South Korea, Australia, Isle of Man, Great Britain, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Taiwan, Turkey.

To exchange a licence, individuals must:

Visit a local Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) office.
Bring the following documents:
- Proof of identity and residency (e.g., passport, permanent resident card).
- Your valid foreign driver’s licence.
- Documentation verifying your driving experience (e.g., a driving record).
- A certified translation of your licence if it is not in English or French.
Complete the application form, specifying how long you have been driving internationally.
Pass a vision test.
Pay the applicable fees.

Newcomers from countries not listed above must:

Register with the SAAQ.
Complete driver education courses, which may include a French proficiency test.
Pass a knowledge test on Quebec traffic laws.
Hold a learner’s permit for 10 months before attempting the road test.
Drive with a probationary licence for 24 months before obtaining a full licence.

For more information, visit SAAQ’s official website.

Driving in Nova Scotia

International drivers can use their foreign licence for up to 90 days in Nova Scotia. Residents from United States or Germany can exchange their valid foreign licence for a Nova Scotia licence after passing a vision test and paying the necessary fees.

To exchange your licence you must:

Book an appointment through the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV): Nova Scotia RMV.
Provide:
- Proof of identity and residency.
- Your current foreign licence.
- Documents verifying your driving experience.
- A certified translation of your licence if it’s not in English or French.
Complete an application form and pay the required fees.

Newcomers from countries not listed above must:

Pass a knowledge test to obtain a learner’s permit.
Hold a learner’s permit for six months (or four months with approved training).
Pass a road test to gain restricted driving privileges (e.g., no driving between midnight and 5 a.m.).
Drive incident-free for two years to graduate to a full licence.

More details are available on the Nova Scotia government website.

Driving in New Brunswick

Newcomers to New Brunswick must exchange their foreign driver’s licence immediately upon becoming a resident. Countries eligible for licence exchange include: United States, Austria, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Australia, South Korea, Netherlands, Norway, and others.

To exchange your licence you must:

Book an appointment via the Government of New Brunswick website.
Bring:
- Proof of identity and residency (e.g., passport, utility bill).
- Your valid foreign licence.
- Documentation verifying your driving experience.
- A certified translation if your licence is not in English or French.
Complete the application process and pay the required fees.

Newcomers from countries not listed above must:

Pass a knowledge test to receive a learner’s permit.
Complete 12 months of supervised driving (or 8 months with training) before taking the road test.
Drive incident-free for another 12 months to graduate to a full licence.

Find more details at the New Brunswick government site.

Driving in Prince Edward Island (PEI)

International licences are valid for four months in PEI. Drivers from United States, Germany, United Kingdom, South Korea, Japan, France, Taiwan, and Switzerland can exchange their licence after passing a vision test.

Newcomers from countries not listed above must:

Pass a knowledge test on PEI traffic laws.
Hold a learner’s permit for six months before attempting a road test.
Drive incident-free for 12 months to qualify for a full licence.

More information is available at the PEI government website.

Driving in Newfoundland and Labrador

International licences are valid for three months in Newfoundland and Labrador. Drivers from United States, Germany, United Kingdom, South Korea, and Switzerland can exchange their licence after a vision test.

Newcomers from countries not listed above must:

Pass a knowledge test to obtain a learner’s permit.
Hold a learner’s permit for 12 months before attempting the road test.
Drive incident-free for 24 months before obtaining a full licence.

Visit NL government’s website for details.

Driving in the Territories

Yukon

International licences are valid for 120 days.
Drivers must complete 50 hours of supervised driving with a learner’s permit before attempting the road test.

Learn more at Yukon’s government website.

Northwest Territories

Newcomers must pass a knowledge test to receive a learner’s licence.
After 12 months of incident-free driving, they can graduate to a full licence.

Visit Northwest Territories DMV for more.

Nunavut

Newcomers must pass a knowledge test to obtain a learner’s licence.
After 12 months of supervised driving, they can take the road test and qualify for a full licence.

Check details at Nunavut’s government site.

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