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, Croatia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Denmark, the Isle of Man, Japan, South Korea, Kosovo, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Switzerland, Taiwan or Ukraine

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, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britian, Hungary, Isle of Man, Kosovo, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Korea, Taiwan or Ukraine
  • 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 from countries without exchange agreements

Effective July 1, 2026, you can can obtain credit for up to one year of driving experience, by showing a valid, original foreign driver’s licence and authentication document.

The authentication document must:

  • be an official letter from the foreign government or agency that issued the driver’s licence
  • confirm that the driver’s licence is authentic
  • be written in English or French

For example, if your foreign driver’s licence was issued 6 months before you apply for an Ontario licence, but you have more than 6 months of total driving experience in that jurisdiction, you must provide an acceptable letter of authentication to receive credit for your full driving experience (up to a maximum of 12 months).

If your existing licence is from a jurisdiction that does not have a driver’s licence exchange agreement with Ontario you will need to:

  1. successfully complete the vision test, knowledge test and G2 road test
  2. wait at least 12 months before attempting the G road test
  3. successfully complete the G road test

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.

As of May 11, 2026, when you apply for your class G or class M licence, you will need to declare that:

  • Ontario is your primary place of residence
  • your presence in Canada is legal

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