Exchange an Out-of-Province Driver's Licence
When you move to Ontario, you can drive with your existing licence for 60 days. After that, you need to switch to an Ontario licence. The process depends on where you are coming from and how long you have been driving.
Where Is Your Current Licence From?
This determines how many tests you need to take and whether you can do a direct exchange.
Countries and Jurisdictions with Exchange Agreements
If your licence comes from one of these places and you have at least 2 years of full-class driving experience, you can exchange it for a full Ontario G licence with just a vision test. No written or road tests.
Canadian provinces and territories:
All provinces and territories (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut) and Canadian Armed Forces.
United States:
All U.S. states (does not include U.S. protectorates or territories).
Other countries:
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Isle of Man, Japan, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan.
If your country is not on the exchange list, you cannot do a direct swap. However, your driving experience can still count toward skipping parts of Ontario's graduated licensing system. The more experience you can prove, the fewer tests and wait times you face.
With 2+ years of experience and an authentication letter:
With less than 2 years of experience:
With no documentation at all:
You can still declare up to 1 year of experience by presenting your valid foreign licence. Without an authentication letter, you cannot claim more than 1 year. You will go through a reduced version of the graduated licensing system.
What to Bring
Translation Requirements
You need a certified translation. The translation must be dated within 6 months of when you apply. Bring your original licence to the translator (not a photocopy).
Accepted translators include:
Where to Go
Licence exchanges are processed at DriveTest centres, not ServiceOntario locations. You can walk in to any DriveTest centre, but appointments are available at select locations and are strongly recommended to avoid long wait times.
Visitors (Not Moving to Ontario)
If you are visiting Ontario for less than 3 months, you can use a valid driver's licence from your home province, state, or country. You do not need to visit a DriveTest centre.
If you are visiting from another country for more than 3 months, you should get an International Driver's Permit (IDP) from your home country before you arrive in Canada. Ontario does not issue IDPs.
In all cases, you must follow Ontario's rules of the road and have valid vehicle insurance.