Exchanging an Out-of-Country Licence

Ministry of Transportation Requirements for Recognizing Driving Experience for Out-of-Country Applicants

Below is the ministry’s policy regarding recognizing driving experience for applicants from jurisdictions that do not have a reciprocal driver’s licence agreement with Ontario.

This policy does not apply for drivers from the following jurisdictions:

• Canadian provinces or territories;
• Canadian Forces Europe;
• U.S. States; and,
• Austria, Belgium, France, Great Britain, Germany, Japan, Korea and Switzerland.

Requirements for all driver licence applicants:

• All applicants for an Ontario driver’s licence are required to:
• Provide acceptable proof of identity: legal name, date of birth and signature;
• Present a valid out-of-country driver’s licence (if it is not in English or French, it is to be accompanied by a written translation by a ministry-approved translator);
• Pass a vision test and a written knowledge test regarding Ontario’s traffic rules; and,
• pay all applicable fees.
• Applicants who fulfil these requirements can obtain a G1 licence.
• Applicants are expected to present their valid out-of-country driver’s licence (accompanied by a written translation, if applicable), at the time of application.
• If the applicant does not have their valid out-of-country licence (accompanied by a written translation, if applicable) at the time of application and obtains a G1 licence, the applicant cannot return at a later date to either self-declare their driving experience, or to present a document authenticating their driving experience.

Self Declaration Policy

• This policy only applies to applicants for Class G licences.
• As of January 12, 2007, all applicants presenting a valid out-of-country licence must self-declare their driving experience on the driver’s licence application form at the time of application.
• The ministry will recognize the amount of driving experience self-declared on the driver’s licence application form.
• Applicants who self-declare less than 12 months of driving experience within the preceding three years, will be credited with the amount of driving experience declared. 
• Applicants who self-declare 12 months or more driving experience within the preceding three years will have the 12 months G1 waiting period waived.

Applicants declaring 12 months and less of driving experience within the preceding three years: 

• Applicants must have 12 months driving experience before attempting the G1 road test.
• If the applicant successfully completes a ministry-approved Beginner Driver Education course, the mandatory waiting time, prior to taking the G1 road test will be reduced from 12 to 8 months.
• The 8-12 months may be a combination of driving experience in the foreign jurisdiction and experience in Ontario.
• Applicants cannot return at a later date with an authentication document indicating that they have more than 12 months driving experience.

Applicants declaring more than 12 months of driving experience within the preceding three years: 

• Applicants who self–declare more than 12 months of driving experience at the time of application are required to present written authentication of their out-of-country driving experience from the originating licensing agency, or from the Embassy, Consulate or High Commissioners’ offices representing the licensing jurisdiction.
• Applicants can present the authentication document either at the time of application or return at a later date to a DriveTest Centre with the authentication document to obtain more than 12 months credit for their out-of-country driving experience.
• The authentication document must be on official letterhead and be written in either English or French.  The authentication document must be dated and presented within six months from the date of issue.  If the authentication document is written in another language other than English or French, it must be accompanied by a written translator from a ministry-approved translator.
• The ministry will recognize the applicant’s out-of-country driving experience as certified in the authentication document and apply the experience to the mandatory wait period of 12 months at the G2 level.
• If an applicant self-declares more than 12 months of driving experience at the time of application and does not present an authentication document, the applicant must fulfil the 12-month mandatory wait period at the G2 level before attempting a G2 road test.
• Applicants who have a minimum of 24 months driving experience within the preceding three years, has the option of attempting either the G1 or G2 road test.

• If the applicant chooses to attempt a G1 road test and successfully completes it, the applicant will then be eligible to attempt the G2 road test without serving the mandatory 12 month wait period.
• If the applicant chooses to attempt a G2 road test and is unsuccessful, the applicant will be required to successfully complete the G1 road test before re-attempting the G2 road test.
• Upon successfully completing the G2 road test, applicants will be issued a Class G licence.