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New to Ontario? How to exchange an out-of-town driver’s license

June 1, 2023   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

If you are new to the province and a licensed driver, you should obtain an Ontario driver’s license as soon as possible after moving here.

When you move to Ontario, you can use a valid license from another province, state, or country for 60 days. After 60 days, you must switch to an Ontario driver’s license.

To get a full license, you need to meet certain requirements. The process depends on how long you have been driving and where you were licensed before.

You can exchange an out-of-province license for an Ontario license if you are relocating from a Canadian province or territory, the Canadian Armed Forces, a U.S. state, or one of 14 other countries.

You cannot exchange a driver’s license from a country that does not have an exchange agreement in place with Ontario. You cannot exchange a learner’s permit or novice-class drivers’ license from another province, state, or country.

Exchange agreements for motorcycle licenses are not available in most countries.

You must provide proof of driving experience to do an exchange. You can self-declare on years of driving experience by showing a valid, original foreign driver’s license. If you want to earn credit for more than one year of driving experience, you will need an official letter from the foreign government or agency that issued the driver’s license confirming that the license is authentic.

This letter needs to be written in English or French.

You do not need a letter if you are exchanging a novice license from another province.

To switch your license for an Ontario driver’s license, you need to apply in person at a DriveTest centre.

You will need to take an eye test and bring originals of your accepted identity documents showing your legal name, date of birth, and signature, as well as your original, valid out-of-province or foreign driver’s license.

Depending on your circumstance, you may also need to take a written test or road test before you get a full license.

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