New residents

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.

To get a full licence, you need to meet certain requirements. The process depends on:

  • where you were previously licensed and if your jurisdiction has a licence exchange agreement with Ontario
  • the class of licence you currently hold
  • how long you have been driving (your driving experience)

Exchange a driver’s licence

You can exchange an out-of-province licence for an Ontario licence, if you are re-locating from:

  • any Canadian province or territory
  • Canadian Armed Forces
  • U.S. States (does not include U.S. protectorates or U.S. territories)
  • Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Denmark, the Isle of Man, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Switzerland, Taiwan

When you can’t exchange

You cannot exchange:

  • a learner's permit from any jurisdiction
  • a licence from a jurisdiction not noted as eligible
  • a licence cancelled for certain specific reasons including, but not limited to: alcohol related offences or demerit points, a prohibited licence or licence under suspension for Criminal Code offences
  • a motorcycle licence class from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britian, Hungary, Isle of Man, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Korea or Taiwan
  • a commercial licence class issued outside of Canada (you may be eligible for a Class G or GM based on the class you hold and the jurisdiction you are from)
  • a driving instructor or school bus (Class B or E) licence from any jurisdiction

You might still be able to fast-track and get credit for previous driving experience.

You need to provide the right documents, when you apply for an Ontario driver’s licence.

Learn more about:

Proof of driving experience

You can can obtain up to 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 to provide an “Authentication Document”, which is 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.

How to apply

To switch your licence for an Ontario driver’s licence, you need to apply in-person at:

You need to:

You might also need to take a knowledge or road tests, before you get a full licence. It depends on your circumstances. Learn more about exchanging a foreign driver’s licence at DriveTest.

Driving tests

You could need to take certain driving tests before you get a full driver’s licence. It depends on:

  • how long you have been driving
  • if the valid driver’s licence you have was issued in a country, province or state that does or does not have an exchange agreement in place with Ontario

Learn more about licence exchanges for drivers of:

Valid out-of-province or foreign driver's licences

An out-of-province or foreign driver’s licence needs to:

  • be valid
  • display a visible expiry date
  • be written in either English or French. If it is not, you need to get it translated by a certified translator. The translation must be current – dated within six months of when you apply for an Ontario licence.

Get a foreign driver’s licence translated

You need to bring your out-of-country driver’s licence to an approved translator.

Approved translators include: non-Canadian embassies, consulates, or a high commissioner’s office, but do not include other translators from the country where the licence was issued.

Translators must provide proof of their credentials.

A translator is qualified for clients in all Ontario regions to use, if they meet one of these requirements:

  • They have credentials that prove they are, or have been employed in translation services
  • They are, or have been a member of a professional association that provides translation services (such as ATIO, the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario)
  • They are a clergy member with experience as a translator