Every province and territory in Canada has its own rules regarding obtaining a driving licence. Some allow certain countries to exchange licences without having to retake driving tests or having medicals etc. We take a look at each province to see who can swap and who cannot. In most provinces you can drive on your existing licence for a maximum of 90 days, after which you are required to hold a provincial driving licence. There are exceptions to this rule, so please check with the relevant province.

Alberta

In Alberta, a valid licence from the United States can be exchanged for an equivalent Class 5, 6, or 7. All other classes require testing and must provide applicable medical and vision screening.

A valid licence from Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland and the United Kingdom (excluding Northern Ireland) can be exchanged for a Class 5 when the applicant is presenting a valid licence of equivalent class.

A valid licence from a country that has a reciprocal agreement with Alberta, includes Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain (excluding Northern Ireland), can be exchanged for a Class 5 when the applicant is presenting a valid licence of equivalent class. A Class 6 operator's licence shall be issued to valid Swiss Class A, A1 licence and a Japanese International driver's licence which permits the holder to operate a motorcycle. All other classes requested would require testing and must provide applicable medical and vision screening. All applicants must present immigration and residency documentation.

Please note that it is a criminal offence to provide false information on a driver’s licence or identification card application.

Alberta can cancel a driver’s licence or identification card if it is determined that the application contained misrepresentation, false information or inaccuracies:

• If you are a new resident in Alberta, you must obtain an Alberta driver’s licence within 90 days of moving to the province, regardless of whether you travel outside Alberta during those 90 days
  
  
• If you are working in Alberta but have your residence outside the province, you may continue to use the valid licence from your home jurisdiction
  
  
• If you are visiting Alberta, you may use your valid licence from your home jurisdiction as long as you have a legitimate residence there and do not take up residency in Alberta
  
  
• If you are visiting Alberta from outside Canada and using an International Driving Permit (IDP), you may drive in Alberta for up to 12 months using the IDP in conjunction with your valid home jurisdiction licence
  
  
• If you are staying in Alberta as a full time student or you are working here as part of a co-op program of study, you may use your valid driver’s licence from your home jurisdiction

 British Columbia

British Columbia has a driver licence exchange agreement with the United States, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Japan and South Korea. You must have held your existing licence for at least two years

Exchanges apply to American passenger car or motorcycle operator’s licence, Austrian, German or Swiss Category B or German Class 3 driver’s licence for passenger cars, or a Japanese Ordinary driver’s licence or a South Korean Class 2 Ordinary driver’s licence for passenger cars.

If you are from a country not listed above you will need to qualify for a B.C. licence. This includes passing a road signs test, a knowledge test, vision screening and a road test. You will also need to meet the medical and application requirements.

Manitoba

If you hold a valid driver’s licence from anywhere in the U.S., you can surrender your valid driver’s licence and obtain a Manitoba licence.

If you hold a driver’s licence from any other country you will need to take and pass Manitoba’s knowledge, road, and vision tests.

New Brunswick

If you are from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands (Holland), New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland or Wales you may exchange a valid drivers licence for a class 5 New Brunswick licence. Licences for commercial vehicles will require you to retake your tests.

If you are from any other country, not listed, then you will have to take a full driver licence examination, including written, vision and road tests paying all applicable fees.

Newfoundland & Labrador

Newcomers from the United States, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the United Kingdom (excluding Northern Ireland) can exchange their existing licence for a Class 5 Newfoundland driver’s licence without taking a written, vision or road test.

Commercial driver’s licence may also require a medical report.

If you hold a driver’s licence from any other country, you will need to take and pass Newfoundland’s knowledge, road, and vision tests.

Nova Scotia

Anyone relocating from the United States can exchange their existing licence for a Class 5 licence.

People who have a valid driver’s licence from other foreign countries will be required to take a vision test, written test on safety rules, a written road sign test and a road test.

Ontario

Drivers from Canadian Forces-Europe, U.S.A., Japan, Korea, Switzerland, Germany, France, Great Britain, Austria and Belgium, Australia and Isle of Man can exchange their licences for a full G licence. Certain restrictions may apply.

Anyone arriving from any other country must undergo complete testing for all classes of licence requested and must provide applicable medical and vision screening as required.

Prince Edward Island

Licences from the United States can be exchanged for equivalent PEI licences.

For individuals coming from other countries and have never been licensed in the United Sates or Canada, complete testing (written, vision and driving) is required.

Quebec

U.S. licences can be exchanged for a Québec licence for a passenger car or a moped without taking a test. For vehicles other than passenger cars and mopeds, tests are required.

Anyone from the following countries: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, Republic of Korea (South Korea), Switzerland, Great Britain (excluding Northern Ireland), Taiwan or Turkey can exchange their licence for an equivalent Quebec licence.

Anyone arriving from any other country must undergo complete testing for all classes of licence requested and must provide applicable medical and vision screening as required.

Saskatchewan

If you are moving from the United States, United Kingdom, Gibraltar, Northern Ireland, Switzerland, South Korea, Germany or Austria you will be able to exchange your licence for an equivalent Saskatchewan licence.

If you are moving from a jurisdiction outside of these countries, you will have to complete written, vision and road examinations prior to being issued a Saskatchewan driver’s licence.

Notes

Most of the exchange agreements require you to surrender your existing home country driving licence. You may also be required to take a vision test and disclose any medical conditions that may affect your ability to drive. Some provinces require a medical to be taken for certain types of licence, particularly commercial licences.

You will be required to provide proof of residency documentation such as your immigration papers as well as identification documents such as a passport.

Most of the provinces exchange programs are subject to minimum driving experience in your home country. Therefore you will also need to provide proof of driving experience if not contained within your existing licence documentation.

It is a legal requirement in Canada to always have your licence on you when driving and you must present it to official bodies if required to do so.

A driving licence can be used to obtain other forms of identification and so should be kept securely to avoid theft and misuse.

Driving licences in Canada are renewable after a certain period of time such as five years. It is your responsibility to make sure your licence is always kept up to date.