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How to get a Canadian Driver’s License as a new resident

From graduated licensing systems that vary by province, to necessary documents and test types, this article covers everything you need to know in preparation for driving in Canada.
Jennifer Olson
· February 5, 2025
How to get a Canadian Driver’s License as a new resident

After going through the process of becoming a new resident of Canada, you are most likely well-versed in completing applications, gathering documents, and performing tests. This experience will come in handy when you are ready to get a Canadian driver's license.

This article breaks down the entire process of obtaining your driver's license in Canada.

Licensing differences in each province or territory

The rules around driving in Canada are managed on a provincial/territorial level. Each province has its own road authority. For example, in BC it's Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC), and in Ontario it's ServiceOntario. Some rules vary significantly between provinces, so it's important to thoroughly research the rules and requirements in your province.

Provincial differences include:

  • Foreign license recognition —some provinces have agreements with specific countries allowing residents the ability to drive without having to do any driving tests. This is especially common among Commonwealth countries.
  • Testing requirements—each province has a few specific traffic laws and road signs, so knowledge and road tests may differ. For example, provinces that have extremely cold winters may require proficiency testing for driving in the ice and snow.
  • Documentation requirements
  • Age requirements
  • Fees and processing times
  • Timeframes for converting an existing license issued in another country—some provinces require that you convert your license within a specific amount of time upon obtaining residency.
  • Insurance requirements

Driver's license eligibility for newcomers

Your current driver's license is valid in Canada if you are immigrating from any of the countries below:

  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • France
  • Germany
  • Ireland
  • Japan
  • New Zealand
  • South Korea
  • USA

For newcomers who require a Canadian driver's license, the process involves a graduated system with different license levels.

After a written knowledge test is passed, new drivers obtain a learner’s permit, which means they can drive a car if they are accompanied by a fully licensed driver.

After they get sufficient experience and guidance, they can take a road test to advance to the intermediate stage. This stage comes with restrictions such as a passenger limit.

After a specific amount of time, intermediate drivers can take the final road test. Passing the final road test results in a full license.

Remember that requirements, fees and graduation timelines differ across provinces/territories.

Get your documents ready

As a newcomer, your province’s road authority will need some extra documents for you to start the licensing process. Documents include:

  1. Your passport or Permanent Resident (PR) Card
  2. A birth certificate or citizenship certificate.
  3. Utility bill rental agreement or bank statement showing current address.
  4. A provincial or territorial health card Valid driver’s license from home country.
  5. Certified translation of driver’s license (if not in English or French).
  6. Driving record or abstract from home country’s licensing authority.
  7. A work permit study permit or visitor record (for temporary residents).
  8. Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) or other immigration documents.

Remember that every province has different requirements, so check which documents are required in your specific region.

If your documents are in a language other than English or French, they will need to be translated.

What are the driver’s licensing tests all about?

Knowledge Test

The knowledge test consists of multiple-choice questions about road signs and traffic rules.

The best way to prepare is by thoroughly studying your province’s driver's handbook. You can also log onto your province’s road authority website and take practice tests. Many of the questions asked on these practice tests are the same questions that are asked in the final test, and you can practice as many times as you like!

Road Test

A road test is a 30-minute process where an examiner has you drive around while they ask you to perform certain driving tasks and go specific routes.

You must bring your own car and it must be in good working order. You can also use a car from a driving school that offers this option.

The examiners look out for:

  • Vehicle control

  • Traffic rule compliance

  • Defensive driving—which is awareness of other drivers and their actions, and the ability to anticipate their moves.

Common road test mistakes include:

  • Driving too cautiously and slowly.

  • Neglecting to perform shoulder checks.

  • Neglecting to check mirrors often.

  • Speeding through school zones.

  • Not coming to a complete stop at a stop sign.

The key to passing a road test is practice, practice, practice! Driving schools are a great resource and many offer packages with a certain amount of courses. You can also take just a few lessons, including a lesson right before your road test.

Driver’s licensing costs and processing times

Costs, testing structure and processing times vary by province or territory:

Alberta

Test

Cost

Knowledge Test

CA$17

Road Test

CA$93

Driver's License:

CA$93

Road Test Car Rental:

CA$65

  • Graduated Licensing System: Comprises a Learner's Permit (Class 7), a Probationary License (Class 5-GDL), and a Full License (Class 5).
  • Minimum Duration: The Learner's Permit must be held for at least 1 year, and the Probationary License must be held for a minimum of 2 years before qualifying for a Full License.

British Columbia

Test

Cost

Knowledge Test

CA$15

Road Test

CA$35 (Class 7 &8 ) / CA$50 (Class 5 & 6)

Driver's License:

CA$75 (5-Year License) / CA$17 Senior's License (65+)

  • Graduated Licensing Program: Includes Learner's (L), Novice (N), and Full License stages.
  • Minimum Duration: The Learner's Stage lasts at least 1 year, and the Novice Stage requires a minimum of 2 years before eligibility for a Full License.

Ontario

Test

Cost

Knowledge Test

CA$16

Road Test

CA$54 (Class G2) / CA$91 (Class G)

Driver's License:

CA$90 (5-Year License)

Package Fees

 CA$160 (G1 License Package)

  • Graduated Licensing System: Consists of G1 (Learner's Permit), G2 (Intermediate License), and Full G License.
  • Minimum Duration: The G1 must be held for 12 months (8 months with approved driver education), and the G2 must be held for 12 months before taking the G road test.

Quebec

Test

Cost

Knowledge Test

CA$12

Road Test

CA$29

Driver's License:

CA$60 (Probationary License) / CA$39 (Regular License)

  • Licensing Process: Involves a Learner's Permit, Probationary License, and Full License.
  • Minimum Duration: The Learner's Permit requires 10 months; and a Probationary License must be held for 24 months before obtaining a Full License.

Nova Scotia

Test

Cost

Knowledge Test

CA$15

Road Test

CA$53

Driver's License:

CA$80 (5-Year License)

  • Graduated Driver Licensing: Comprises Learner's, Newly Licensed, and Restricted Individual stages.
  • Minimum Duration: The Learner's Stage lasts 6 months minimum; and the Newly Licensed stage requires 24 months before advancing.

Prince Edward Island

Test

Cost

Instruction Permit:

CA$20

Knowledge Test

CA$20

Novice Driver Course:

CA$100

Driver's Handbook:

CA$20

  • Graduated Driver Licensing: Includes Instruction Permit, Stage 1, Stage 2, and Full License.
  • Minimum Duration: The Instruction Permit requires 275 days, Stage 1 lasts 1 year, and Stage 2 requires 1 year before obtaining a Full License.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Test

Cost

Knowledge Test

CA$15

Road Test

CA$78

Driver's License:

CA$125 (5-Year License)

  • Graduated Licensing Program: Comprises Learner's Permit, Class 5 Level I, Class 5 Level II, and Full License.
  • Minimum Duration: The Learner's Permit must be held for 12 months (8 months with driver education), Class 5 Level I lasts 12 months, and Class 5 Level II requires 12 months before advancing.

Manitoba

Test

Cost

Knowledge Test

CA$10

Road Test

CA$30

Driver's License:

CA$65 (Annual Fee)

  • Graduated Driver Licensing: Consists of Learner, Intermediate, and Full stages.
  • Minimum Duration: The Learner Stage requires 9 months, and the Intermediate Stage lasts 15 months before qualifying for a Full License.

Saskatchewan

Test

Cost

Knowledge Test

CA$25

Road Test

CA$55

Driver's License:

CA$100

  • Graduated Driver's Licensing Program: Involves Learner, Novice 1, Novice 2, and Full stages.
  • Minimum Duration: Learner stage requires 9 months, Novice 1 lasts 6 months, and Novice 2 requires 12 months before obtaining a Full License.

New Brunswick

Test

Cost

Knowledge Test

CA$25

Road Test

CA$25

Driver's License:

CA$90 (4-Year License)

  • Graduated Licensing System: Includes a Learner's Permit and a Graduated License.
  • Minimum Duration: The Learner's Permit must be held for at least 12 months (4 months with driver education), and the Graduated License stage lasts 12 months.

Yukon

Test

Cost

Knowledge Test

CA$20

Road Test

CA$50

Driver's License:

CA$100 (5-Year License)

  • Graduated Licensing Program: Comprises Learner's Permit, Novice License, and Full License.
  • Minimum Duration: The Learner's Permit must be held for 6 months, and the Novice License requires 18 months before qualifying for a Full License.

Northwest Territories

Test

Cost

Knowledge Test

CA$25

Road Test

CA$50

Driver's License:

CA$100 (5-Year License)

  • Graduated Driver Licensing: Includes Learner, Probationary, and Full License stages.
  • Minimum Duration: The Learner stage requires 12 months, and the Probationary stage lasts 12 months before advancing.

Nunavut

Test

Cost

Knowledge Test

CA$20

Road Test

CA$40

Driver's License:

CA$60 (5-Year License)

  • Graduated Driver Licensing System: Comprises Learner's Permit, Probationary License, and Full License.
  • Minimum Duration: The Learner's Permit must be held for 12 months, and the Probationary License requires 12 months before obtaining a Full License.

Driving in Canada

In Canada, people drive on the right side of the road. If you are from a country where people drive on the left side of the road, you may need time to adjust. Luckily, it doesn’t take long to get used to it.

If you are inexperienced with winter driving, this could be a learning curve. To stay safe, drive slowly in snowy or icy conditions and ensure your vehicle has high-quality winter tires.

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