How to Transfer US Driver’s License in Canada?

driving in Canada

As an immigrant or a long-term visitor to Canada, one of the key practical aspects to consider is transferring your driver’s license.

For US citizens or people with a driver’s license from the US, this process is easy and does not involve knowledge or road tests, given that you qualify for the requirements.

A Class 5 license in Canada is the most common, allowing drivers to operate personal vehicles and light trucks.

This article will focus on how you can seamlessly transfer your US driver’s license in Canada.

Canada’s Reciprocity Agreement

The basis for exchanging foreign driving licenses in Canada lies in Canada’s reciprocity agreements with various countries.

These agreements recognize the equivalent experience and knowledge necessary to drive in the reciprocal countries, facilitating a smoother transition.

Canada has reciprocal license agreements with several countries, including the U.S., Australia, France, Germany, Switzerland, South Korea, etc.

It’s important to note that these agreements can vary between provinces.

For example, Ontario recognizes licenses from the U.S. and Japan, among other countries, while British Columbia includes countries such as Australia, South Korea, and Germany.

Steps to Exchanging a US Driver’s License

As the U.S. has a reciprocity agreement with Canada, U.S. drivers are entitled to a direct swap of their existing license for a Canadian one without taking any driving tests, provided they have sufficient driving experience.

The process is fairly simple but can vary slightly from one Canadian province to another.

Step 1: Verify your eligibility

Before beginning the process, ensure you are eligible to exchange your license. To be eligible:

You must be at least 16 years old.
You should have a valid driver’s license from the United States.
Your U.S. driver’s license should not be suspended or revoked.
Your driving experience should be a minimum of two years.

Step 2: Gather the necessary documents

Prepare all required documents. Generally, you will need:

Your valid U.S. driver’s license.
Proof of driving experience.
An identity document such as a passport.
Proof of residency in the province where you wish to obtain a license.

Ensure that the proof of driving experience is an original document, provided in a sealed envelope directly from the licensing authority in the US and addressed to you. Canadian authorities may not accept PDF, copies, or opened documents.

Step 3: Visit a local driving center

Once your documents are ready, visit a local driving center in your province.

In Ontario, this would be the DriveTest Centre; in British Columbia, an ICBC driver licensing office.

Step 4: Surrender your U.S. Driver’s License

You’ll have to surrender your current US driver’s license.

You should make copies or take pictures of your U.S. license for record-keeping purposes before surrendering it.

Step 5: Pay the fee

Pay the appropriate fees for the license exchange. This fee varies from province to province.

Step 6: Obtain your new Canadian License

Once all these steps are completed, you will receive an interim driver’s license, which expires in 60 days.

You’ll receive your original Canadian Class 5 driver’s license in the mail before your interim driver’s license expires.

What If Your US Driver’s License Is Expired?

It’s not uncommon for immigrants from other countries who have resided in the US to relocate to Canada with an expired US driver’s license.

This could happen when individuals transition from the U.S. to Canada after receiving Permanent Residency approval. Here is what you need to know about this scenario:

An expired U.S. driver’s license can still be exchanged in Canada, provided it meets certain conditions:

Two Years of Driving History: Your expired U.S. driver’s license should reflect at least two years of driving history. This means that it should have been valid for at least two years before expiration.
No License From Non-Reciprocal Country: If you hold an additional driver’s license from a country that doesn’t have a reciprocal agreement with Canada, this could affect the acceptance of your expired US license. In such cases, you need to take additional tests.

If you meet the abovementioned criteria, you can follow the normal procedure to exchange your license.

However, if you hold a driver’s license from a non-reciprocal country along with your expired U.S. license, you will need to undergo additional steps:

Knowledge Test: You will have to take a written test, also known as a knowledge test, to prove your understanding of the driving rules in the province you are in.
Road Test: After passing the knowledge test, you will be required to take a road test to demonstrate your driving skills.

Once you pass these tests, you will be eligible to receive a Class 5 driver’s license in Canada.

Driver’s License from Non-reciprocal Countries

For those from non-reciprocal countries, the process usually involves additional steps, such as written tests and road tests, since Canada doesn’t recognize these countries’ licenses as equivalent.

However, your foreign driving experience can help reduce the waiting periods typically imposed on new drivers and you can receive a Class 5 driver’s license after you pass the tests.

Disclosure:
The content on canadamentor.com is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional financial or legal advice. Canada Mentor is not a financial or legal institution and does not provide any financial or legal products and services. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided, it may not be applicable in all situations and should not be acted upon without seeking professional counsel.