How to Obtain an Ontario Driver’s License: Out of Country Drivers
**Highly recommended to read the driver’s handbook prior to driving on Ontario’s roads. Each driver’s handbook contains information on the rules of the road and safe driving practices for that vehicle type.
You may exchange or apply for an Ontario licence at any DriveTest Centre. Because of the tests required, ServiceOntario does not issue licences to new Ontario residents.
The driver’s licence application process for newcomers to Ontario varies depending on:
Your place of origin.
The type of licence.
The documentation and/or identification you have.
The number of years of experience you have driving.
If you have previous driving experience outside of Ontario, that experience may be acknowledged through licence exchange privileges or through foreign licence experience credits.
In some cases, a letter of authentication is required from the jurisdiction. The letter must contain specific features and details related to your licensing experience in order to be accepted.
Note to Visitors:
If you are visiting Ontario for less than 3 months, you can use a valid driver’s licence from your own province, state, or country. You do not need to visit a DriveTest Centre while you are here, but you must have a vehicle permit and insurance and must follow Ontario’s rules of the road. The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook explains Ontario’s traffic laws and driving customs.
If you are visiting from another country for more than 3 months, you should get an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) from your own country to accompany your driver’s licence before you arrive in Canada. DriveTest does not issue International Driver’s Permits.
Identification, Drivers’ Abstracts, and Letters of Authentication
When you visit a DriveTest Centre to apply for a licence, you must bring your current driver’s licence, acceptable ID, and possibly a letter of authentication or a driver’s abstract issued within the last six months to confirm the status of your licence and length of driving experience.
To be eligible for an exchange or credit towards an Ontario licence, an out-of-province or out-of-country driver’s licence needs to be in English or French, original, and valid. Ideally, your licence will also display an issue date or visible expiry date; however, an applicant who does not have an issue date or an expiry date (not both) is still able to receive up to 12 months of driving experience credit upon application. If your driver’s licence is not in English or French, it must be accompanied by a written translation from a qualified translator.
Your application must show proof of your legal name and date of birth (must state the day, month, and year of birth). If there is any variation in the names on the legal identification you present and the name that appears on your licence, you will need to provide acceptable ID or documentation (e.g., marriage certificate; change of name or divorce certificate; or court order) to link your records.
Exchanges and Driving Experience
Anyone looking to exchange a licence, regardless of the place of origin, must complete a vision test. A road test may be required as well, depending on the amount of driving experience.
If you have less than 2 years of experience from a reciprocating jurisdiction, you may be eligible for a Class G2 licence. However, driving experience from other jurisdictions may be combined to reduce the mandatory wait times for the Class G road test (to earn your full Class G licence). For example, if you held a full class licence in Newfoundland for 1 year and a full class licence in Spain for 5 years, your Newfoundland licence would be exchanged for a Class G2 in Ontario but if you brought your Spanish licence and an authenticity letter into a DriveTest Centre, you would be able to go for your Class G road test right away. Following are some guidelines based on driving experience.
Foreign Licence Experience Credits
If you are relocating from a country that does not have a driver’s licence exchange agreement with Ontario, your previous driving experience may be acknowledged through a reduction in driver’s licensing requirements. However, you must successfully complete several steps before you can obtain an Ontario licence.
Ontario has a graduated licensing program with a focus on increasing a new driver’s privileges as experience is gained. As part of this graduated licensing program, there are mandatory test and wait-time requirements. Drivers with valid foreign licences may qualify for reductions in these mandatory test and wait-time prerequisites if they meet certain requirements. Credit for previous driving experience is granted only for Class G and Class M licences and only when all requirements are met.
General Requirements for Foreign Licence Applications – Car and Motorcycle Drivers
A foreign applicant for a Class G or Class M licence must:
Be at least 16 years old at the time of application.
Successfully complete a knowledge test about the rules of the road and traffic signs.
Meet the vision standards established by the Ministry of Transportation (MTO).
Successfully complete one or two road tests (Class G2 and/or Class G, or Class M2 and/or Class M), depending on the method you choose to obtain your licence.
Present acceptable identification, a valid and original driver’s licence, and supporting documentation.
Requirements to Gain Credit for Previous Experience
There are four main requirements to fast-track through graduated licensing and gain credit for previous driving experience.
A. Acceptable Identification
To apply for an Ontario driver’s licence at a DriveTest Centre, you will be required to show proof of your:
Legal name
Date of birth (must state the day, month, and year of birth)
All identification must be original and valid.
If there is any variation in the names on the legal identification you present and the name that appears on your licence, you will need to provide acceptable ID to link the names.
Legal name is defined as the one registered at birth or the one changed legally through adoption, court order/change of name certificate, or marriage. If there is a variation in the names on the legal identification you present and the name that appears on your licence, you will be required to provide additional supporting documents to link the names together.
Permanent or Temporary Residents
ACCEPTABLE IDENTITY DOCUMENTS LEGAL NAME DATE OF BIRTH
Passport | • | • |
CANADIAN PERMANENT RESIDENT CARD WITH OR WITHOUT SIGNATURE | • | • |
CONFIRMATION OF PERMANENT RESIDENT FORM | • | • |
REPORT PURSUANT TO THE IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEES PROTECTION ACT WITH PHOTO | • | • |
STUDENT AUTHORIZATION/STUDY PERMIT | • | • |
EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION/WORK PERMIT | • | • |
VISITOR RECORD | • | • |
TEMPORARY RESIDENT’S PERMIT | • | • |
ONTARIO PHOTO CARD | • | • |
REFUGEE TRAVEL DOCUMENT (ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT OF CANADA) | • | • |
CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY (ISSUED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA) | • | • |
U.S. PASSPORT CARD | • | • |
- B. Valid Driver’s Licence You must present your original, valid driver’s licence. An expired driver’s licence is not acceptable.
The licence must include an expiry date or include wording that confirms the licence does not expire. If your licence does not have an issue date or expiry date (not both), you may still be eligible to receive up to 12 months of driving experience upon application.
If your valid driver’s licence is not in English or French, it must be accompanied by an English or French translation from an MTO-recognized translator. If you provide your original licence with a supporting letter of authentication from the Embassy, Consulate or High Commissioner’s Once in either English or French, you do not need to include a licence translation.
You do not need to surrender your licence.
C. Amount of Experience
You can claim 12 months of driving experience. Ideally, you should bring your foreign driver’s licence to the DriveTest Centre when you first apply. Depending on the length of previous experience declared, there are varying requirements.
Less Than 12 Months
Class G2 Road Required | Class G Road Test Required | Mandatory Wait Times Apply |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
- 12 to 23 Months
Class G2 Road Required
Class G Road Test Required
Mandatory Wait Times Apply
Yes
Yes
Yes
You can take the Class G2 road test immediately but you need to wait 12 months, less any credited driving experience, to take a Class G road test.
24 Months or More
You can take the Class G road test immediately. However, some people optionally choose to take the Class G2 road test as well to gain testing experience.
If you are unsuccessful with the Class G road test, you must take the Class G2 road test and then the Class G road test again.
Class G2 Road Required
Class G Road Test Required
Mandatory Wait Times Apply
No
Yes
No
D. Letters of Authentication
If you claim that you have more than 12 months of previous driving experience on your application form at the DriveTest Centre, you must provide an original letter of authentication to gain credit for all that experience. If you do not provide a letter of authentication, you will get credit for only 12 months of driving experience. The letter of authentication:
May be acquired from the Embassy, Consulate, or High Commissioner’s Office representing the originating jurisdiction, OR from the jurisdiction that originally issued the licence, validating the authenticity of the licence.
Must be on the originator’s official letterhead paper.
Must be dated no more than 6 months prior to the application date.
Must clearly state that it is certifying the duration of the applicant’s driving experience and that the licence to which it refers is valid – the licence cannot be expired or suspended.
If not in English or French, you must have it translated by an MTO-recognized translator.
Note:
Experience can be added to your application at any time. If you cannot provide proof of driving experience at the time of the original licence application, you can visit a DriveTest Centre again at a later date with the appropriate documents to have more experience added on to your record. This may help to speed up the process of getting your full class Ontario licence.
Options and Methods for Obtaining Your Full Class G or Class M Licence
DriveTest Centre agents can help you to replace your foreign driver’s licence with an Ontario licence. There are a few methods to obtain your licence depending on the amount of previous experience you declare and the type of identification and documentation you have available.
Option 1
Declare 2 years of driving experience or longer on your application form.
Provide an original, valid driver’s licence and other pieces of acceptable ID.
Provide a letter of authentication in English or French and dated within the last 6 months.
Successfully complete the vision and written knowledge tests at the DriveTest Centre.
Successfully complete the Class G road test to earn your full Class G licence (no mandatory waiting period required and no Class G2 road test required).
Pay all the applicable fees.
Option 2
Declare less than 1 year of driving experience on your application form.
Provide an original, valid driver’s licence and other pieces of acceptable ID.
Successfully complete the vision and written knowledge test at the DriveTest Centre.
Adhere to the applicable wait times before attempting the Class G2 road test.
Wait one year before attempting the Class G road test to earn your full Class G licence.
Pay all the applicable fees.
Option 3
Declare at least 1 year of driving experience on your application form.
Provide an original, valid driver’s licence and other pieces of acceptable ID.
Successfully complete the vision and written knowledge tests.
Book and take the Class G2 road test to earn your Class G2 licence immediately (no mandatory wait time required).
Acquire one year of Ontario driving experience and then book and successfully complete a Class G road test to earn your full Class G licence.
Pay all the applicable fees.
Countries with Exchange Agreements for Cars, Small Trucks, and Vans
Canadian Provinces and Territories; Canadian Forces Europe
Documentation requirements (in English or French):
Current, valid full class driver’s licence with documentation to satisfy both data elements (legal name, complete date of birth).
Your current licence must be surrendered.
United States: District of Columbia, Florida, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, Ohio, Vermont, and Washington
Documentation requirements (in English or French):
Current, valid full class driver’s licence with documentation to satisfy both data elements (legal name, complete date of birth).
Driving abstract dated within the last 6 months. The driving abstract must be original and must indicate the date the licence was first issued. Photocopies are not acceptable. Electronic driver abstracts (e.g. obtained or transmitted by email, facsimile, or downloaded from licensing jurisdiction website) are acceptable provided they contain the driver’s full name or driver’s licence number, and the following must be contained on either the driver’s licence or the abstract: letterhead, logo, emblem, or coat of arms of the issuing government body or licensing authority; date first licensed; date of birth; licence class(es); licence status; expiry date; and date the abstract was issued.
Your current licence must be surrendered.
United States: All U.S. States Not Listed Above
Documentation requirements (in English or French):
Current, valid full class driver’s licence with documentation to satisfy both data elements (legal name, complete date of birth).
An interprovincial record exchange (IRE) search is mandatory for all applicants from these states and may present a delay
in processing an exchange if the search is unsuccessful. A DriveTest employee will conduct the IRE search. However, we recommend that you obtain a driving record (dated within 6 months of your application and indicating the date the licence was first issued) to prevent any delays in processing. The driving record must be an original. Electronic driver abstracts (e.g. obtained or transmitted by email, facsimile, or downloaded from licensing jurisdiction website) are acceptable provided they contain the driver’s full name or driver’s licence number, and the following must be contained on either the driver’s licence or the abstract: letterhead, logo, emblem, or coat of arms of the issuing government body or licensing authority; date first licensed; date of birth; licence class(es); licence status; expiry date; and date the abstract was issued.
• Your licence must be surrendered.
Australia
Documentation requirements (in English or French):
Current, valid full class driver’s licence with documentation to satisfy both data elements (legal name, complete date of birth).
Original abstract from your jurisdiction dated within 6 months to complete the exchange. Some abstracts may be subject to approval before the exchange can take place, and this approval process may not be immediate.
Drivers from Australia (including Victoria and Tasmania) must provide an original abstract/letter, dated within the last 6 months, which contains all of the following features: letterhead, logo, emblem, or coat of arms of the issuing government body or licensing authority; date first licensed; name and date of birth; driver’s licence number; licence class(es); licence status; expiry date; and the date the abstract was issued. Photocopies are not acceptable. Electronic driver abstracts (e.g. obtained or transmitted by email, facsimile, or downloaded from licensing jurisdiction website) are acceptable provided they contain the driver’s full name or driver’s licence number, and the following must be contained on either the driver’s licence or the abstract: letterhead, logo, emblem, or coat of arms of the issuing government body or licensing authority; date first licensed; date of birth; licence class(es); licence status; expiry date; and date the abstract was issued.
Your current licence must be surrendered.
Austria, Germany, and Switzerland
Documentation requirements (in English or French):
Current, valid full class driver’s licence with documentation to satisfy both data elements (legal name, complete date of birth).
Your current licence must be surrendered.
Belgium
Documentation requirements (in English or French):
Current, valid full class driver’s licence with documentation to satisfy both data elements (legal name, complete date of birth).
Authentication document issued by the Belgian municipality where you have been registered last. The authentication document must be original, dated within the last 6 months, and have a stamp. Photocopies are not acceptable.
Electronic driver abstracts (e.g. obtained or transmitted by email, facsimile, or downloaded from licensing jurisdiction website) are acceptable provided they contain the driver’s full name or driver’s licence number, and the following must be contained on either the driver’s licence or the abstract: letterhead, logo, emblem, or coat of arms of the issuing government body or licensing authority; date first licensed; date of birth; licence class(es); licence status; expiry date; and date the abstract was issued.
Your current licence must be surrendered.
France
Documentation requirements (in English or French):
Current, valid full class driver’s licence with documentation to satisfy both data elements (legal name, complete date of birth).
Driving abstract dated within 6 months of the application and obtained from the French licensing authority that issued the
original licence. Consulates are unable to supply this document. Photocopies are not acceptable.
• Electronic driver abstracts (e.g. obtained or transmitted by email, facsimile, or downloaded from licensing jurisdiction website) are acceptable provided they contain the driver’s full name or driver’s licence number, and the following must be contained on either the driver’s licence or the abstract: letterhead, logo, emblem, or coat of arms of the issuing government body or licensing authority; date first licensed; date of birth; licence class(es); licence status; expiry date; and date the abstract was issued.
• Your current licence must be surrendered.
Great Britain (United Kingdom)
Documentation requirements (in English or French):
Current, valid full class driver’s licence with documentation to satisfy both data elements (legal name, complete date of birth).
Your current licence must be surrendered. If you have misplaced your licence, you must present an original Certificate of Entitlement, dated within the last 6 months and issued by the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), for the exchange to take place. Photocopies are not acceptable.
Electronic certificates (e.g. obtained or transmitted by email, facsimile, or downloaded from licensing jurisdiction website) are acceptable provided they contain the driver’s full name or driver’s licence number, and the following must be contained on either the driver’s licence or the abstract: letterhead, logo, emblem, or coat of arms of the issuing government body or licensing authority; date first licensed; date of birth; licence class(es); licence status; expiry date; and date the abstract was issued.
Isle of Man, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland
Documentation requirements (in English or French):
Current, valid full class driver’s licence with documentation to satisfy both data elements (legal name, complete date of birth).
For Isle of Man, a Driver Licence Verification History Search issued within the last six months is required. Photocopies are not acceptable.
For Northern Ireland, a Certificate of Entitlement issued within the last six months by the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) is required. Photocopies are not acceptable.
For the Republic of Ireland, you must provide an original Driver’s Statement/Letter of Entitlement issued in the last six months.
Photocopies are not acceptable.
Electronic driver abstracts (e.g. obtained or transmitted by email, facsimile, or downloaded from licensing jurisdiction website) are acceptable provided they contain the driver’s full name or driver’s licence number, and the following must be contained on either the driver’s licence or the abstract: letterhead, logo, emblem, or coat of arms of the issuing government body or licensing authority; date first licensed; date of birth; licence class(es); licence status; expiry date; and date the abstract was issued.
Your current licence must be surrendered.
Japan
Documentation requirements (in English or French):
Current, valid full class driver’s licence with documentation to satisfy both data elements (legal name, complete date of birth).
Certificate from Japanese Consulate/Embassy or an international driving permit. Photocopies are not acceptable.
Electronic certificates (e.g. obtained or transmitted by email, or facsimile) issued by the Consulate/Embassy are acceptable provided they contain the driver’s full name or driver’s licence number, and the following must be contained on either the driver’s licence or the abstract: letterhead, logo, emblem, or coat of arms of the Consulate; date first licensed; date of birth; licence class(es); licence status; expiry date; and date the abstract was issued.
Japanese licences do not need to be surrendered.
South Korea
Documentation requirements (in English or French):
Current, valid full class driver’s licence with documentation to satisfy both data elements (legal name, complete date of birth).
If the licence is expired for less than one year (Korean driver’s licences are valid for one year from the second date of the aptitude test period indicated on the licence), an original Letter of Confirmation from the Korean Consulate or Korean Transport Authority (National Police Agency of the Republic of Korea) is required. Documents presented must be original, translated into English or French by an MTO-approved translator or the Korean Consulate. Photocopies are not acceptable.
Electronic driver’s abstracts (e.g. obtained or transmitted by email, facsimile, or downloaded from licensing jurisdiction website) are acceptable provided they contain the driver’s full name or driver’s licence number, and the following must be contained on either the driver’s licence or the abstract: letterhead, logo, emblem, or coat of arms of the issuing government body or licensing authority; date first licensed; date of birth; licence class(es); licence status; expiry date; and date the abstract was issued.
Your current licence must be surrendered.
New Zealand
Documentation requirements (in English or French):
Current, valid, full Class 1 driver’s licence with documentation to satisfy both data elements (legal name, complete date of birth).
An original Certificate of Particulars dated within six months preceding the date of application for an Ontario driver’s licence.
The Certificate of Particulars must include a stamp and signature. Photocopies are not acceptable.
Electronic driver abstracts (e.g. obtained or transmitted by email, facsimile, or downloaded from licensing jurisdiction website) are acceptable provided they contain the driver’s full name or driver’s licence number, and the following must be contained on either the driver’s licence or the abstract: letterhead, logo, emblem, or coat of arms of the issuing government body or licensing authority; date first licensed; date of birth; licence class(es); licence status; expiry date; and date the abstract was issued.
Your current licence must be surrendered.
Taiwan
Documentation requirements (in English or French):
Current, valid full B class driver’s licence with documentation to satisfy both data elements (legal name, complete date of birth).
Applicants must also present an original Verification Certificate of Driver’s Licence dated within the last six months. Photocopies are not acceptable.
Electronic driver abstracts (e.g. obtained or transmitted by email, facsimile, or downloaded from licensing jurisdiction website) are acceptable provided they contain the driver’s full name or driver’s licence number, and the following must be contained on either the driver’s licence or the abstract: letterhead, logo, emblem, or coat of arms of the issuing government body or licensing authority; date first licensed; date of birth; licence class(es); licence status; expiry date; and date the abstract was issued.
Your current licence must be surrendered.
Process for Exchanging Your Car, Small Truck, or Van Licence
Steps vary depending on your circumstances. The process, at a high level, follows.
- Gather the required documentation and identification for your licence exchange.
You must bring acceptable ID as well as any documentation listed above. Some of this documentation may take several weeks, or even months, to obtain.You must present your valid driver’s licence. You can use Canadian and U.S. driver’s licences as proof of driving experience. We can accept an expired licence as long as it has not been expired for over one year. If the licence has been expired over one year, you must enter the graduated licensing system; however, you may be credited for driving experience gained within the past three years.
- Apply for a driver’s licence at a DriveTest Centre.
You must bring your acceptable ID and complete an application form while you are there.
- Successfully complete a vision test at the DriveTest Centre.
Make sure to bring any corrective lenses with you to the DriveTest Centre.
- Pay the applicable fees at a DriveTest Centre.
Fees are set by the Ministry of Transportation and are subject to change. Fees can be paid by cash, credit card (VISA, MasterCard, or American Express), debit card, certified business cheque, certified personal cheque, bank draft or money order (each made payable to Serco Canada Inc.), or traveller’s cheque (Canadian or American).Please note that, if required, retests and subsequent attempts will incur additional charges.
- Obtain your temporary driver’s licence from an agent at a DriveTest Centre.
Once you have met the requirements, you will receive a temporary paper driver’s licence and must surrender your old licence. Your new, official, plastic Ontario licence photo card will come in the mail.
Letter of Authentication
If you claim that you have more than 12 months of previous driving experience on your application form at the DriveTest Centre, you must provide an original letter of authentication to gain credit for all that experience. If you do not provide a letter of authentication, you will get credit for only 12 months of driving experience.
The letter of authentication:
May be acquired from the Embassy, Consulate, or High Commissioner’s Office representingthe originating jurisdiction, OR from the jurisdiction that originally issued the license, validating the authenticity of the license.
Must be on the originator’s official letterhead paper.
Must be dated no more than 6 months prior to the application date.
Must clearly state that it is certifying the duration of the applicant’s driving experience and that the license to which it refers is valid – the license cannot be expired or suspended.
If not in English or French, you must have it translated by an MTO recognized translator.
