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Driver's Licence Exchange by Province
Whether your licence can be exchanged, and how long you can drive on it, from each province's licensing authority.
Driver's licences are issued by each province and territory, and each one keeps its own list of countries whose licences it exchanges, usually without a knowledge or road test. Choose where you're settling and where your licence is from to see the answer, the deadline to switch, what to bring and the fees, with a link to the official page.
Need ID before your licence arrives? Our provincial photo ID guide covers the card for non-drivers in each province.
Exchange agreements in every province and territory
Countries each province or territory lists for licence exchange. Most waive the knowledge and road tests, but some still ask for a vision or sign test. All except Nunavut also list the rest of Canada and the United States. Classes and conditions vary, so pick a pair above for the details.
| Province or territory | Drive on your old licence for | Countries listed | Official page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | Drive on your old licence for: 90 days from another province; confirm for other countries | Countries listed: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guernsey, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, United Kingdom | Details for Alberta |
| British Columbia | Drive on your old licence for: 90 days | Countries listed: Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Guernsey, Ireland, Isle of Man, Japan, Jersey, Netherlands, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom | Details for British Columbia |
| Manitoba | Drive on your old licence for: 3 months | Countries listed: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, United Kingdom | Details for Manitoba |
| New Brunswick | Drive on your old licence for: As soon as you move | Countries listed: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, United Kingdom | Details for New Brunswick |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Drive on your old licence for: 3 months | Countries listed: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Isle of Man, Japan, Northern Ireland, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, United Kingdom | Details for Newfoundland and Labrador |
| Northwest Territories | Drive on your old licence for: 30 days | Countries listed: None published; ask the licensing office | Details for Northwest Territories |
| Nova Scotia | Drive on your old licence for: Up to 180 days | Countries listed: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Portugal, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, United Kingdom | Details for Nova Scotia |
| Nunavut | Drive on your old licence for: 30 days | Countries listed: None published; ask the licensing office | Details for Nunavut |
| Ontario | Drive on your old licence for: 60 days | Countries listed: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Isle of Man, Japan, Kosovo, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, United Kingdom | Details for Ontario |
| Prince Edward Island | Drive on your old licence for: 4 months | Countries listed: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Isle of Man, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Norway, Portugal, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, United Kingdom | Details for Prince Edward Island |
| Quebec | Drive on your old licence for: 6 months | Countries listed: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Isle of Man, Japan, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom | Details for Quebec |
| Saskatchewan | Drive on your old licence for: 90 days, or sooner if your licence expires | Countries listed: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, United Kingdom | Details for Saskatchewan |
| Yukon | Drive on your old licence for: 120 days (30 with an air brake endorsement) | Countries listed: Germany, Isle of Man, Taiwan | Details for Yukon |
This tool is for information only and is not legal advice. Each answer summarizes the official page of the province or territory's licensing authority, and agreements change. Confirm with the licensing office before you rely on an exchange, especially for motorcycle or commercial licences.
Official source: Driving in Canada (canada.ca) · Last updated: 2026-10-15
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Frequently asked questions
How long can I drive in Canada on my foreign driver's licence?
It depends on where you live. After becoming a resident: 30 days in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, 60 days in Ontario, 3 months in Manitoba and Newfoundland and Labrador, 90 days in British Columbia and Saskatchewan (sooner in Saskatchewan if your licence expires), 4 months in Prince Edward Island, 120 days in Yukon, 6 months in Québec and up to 180 days in Nova Scotia. Alberta gives 90 days for a licence from another province and doesn't state a deadline for other countries, and New Brunswick says to switch as soon as you take up residence. Visitors and some students and temporary workers have different rules.
Which countries can exchange a licence without a test?
Every province has its own list, so the same licence can be exchanged in one province and need tests in another. Licences from other provinces and territories, the United States, and countries such as France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan and the United Kingdom are on most lists. Pick your province and country above for the exact answer.
Is an International Driving Permit enough to drive in Canada?
An International Driving Permit goes with your licence; it doesn't replace it (Québec, for example, says to carry both). In most provinces a new resident still has to switch to a local licence by the deadline. Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Québec also say an International Driving Permit doesn't count as an official translation of your licence.
What if my country doesn't have a licence exchange agreement?
You can still get a licence, but you take the province's knowledge and road tests, and often start in graduated licensing. Several provinces, including Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Québec, can credit some of your past driving experience, usually from an official driving record or letter from your home licensing office.
Do I have to give up my foreign licence?
In most provinces, yes: you surrender it when you get your new licence, and Alberta and Manitoba say it won't be returned. Newfoundland and Labrador can give you a certified copy on request.