Moving provinces

By the end of this topic you can

• You can find the grace period for switching your licence in your new province.
• You can explain how a full licence exchanges between provinces.
• You can describe how learner and novice time may be treated after a move.
• You can list what to bring to the licensing office.
• You can explain which rules apply when you only visit another province.

What you need to know and understand

• New residents must switch licences within a set period: 60 days in Ontario, 90 days in BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan, up to six consecutive months in Quebec, and 30 days in the NWT.
• A full licence from another province or territory usually exchanges for the equivalent class without a road test.
• Ontario has exchange agreements with every province and territory.
• In BC, holders of only an out-of-province learner's licence can apply for a BC learner's licence (Class 7L).
• In Alberta, someone who has held a full licence for less than 2 years may be placed in Alberta's graduated licensing program.
• You surrender your old licence when you get the new one; you cannot hold two valid licences.
• When visiting, your home licence conditions still apply, and the visited province's traffic laws apply on its roads.

Switching a full licence

If you hold a full licence, exchanging it is usually a trip to the licensing office with ID and proof of your new address. Your class carries over and you hand in the old card. Saskatchewan also accepts a licence from your former province that expired no more than five years ago, without tests.

Do not leave it to the end of the grace period. Driving on an out-of-province licence after it ends can mean driving without a valid licence, which can also affect your insurance.

If you are mid-way through graduated licensing

• Ontario: with under two years of experience you may get credit and enter G2, then take the G2 exit test once you reach two years in total.
• British Columbia: a Class 5 needs proof of at least 24 months of non-learner driving (12 months if you are 25 or older). With less, you can apply for a Class 7 novice licence, and a learner's licence from elsewhere leads to a Class 7L.
• Saskatchewan: a valid licence from another province exchanges without tests, and graduated licensing applies to new drivers whatever their age.
• Alberta: you must exchange within 90 days, and drivers with under 2 years on a full licence may be placed in graduated licensing.
• Other provinces: ask the licensing office how your stage and time will be counted before you move if you can.

Visiting versus moving

If you are only visiting, keep your home licence. Its conditions come with you: supervisor rules, curfews, passenger limits, zero alcohol, device bans and any L or N sign. At the same time, the local traffic laws apply, such as speed limits, phone laws, winter tire rules and right turns on red. When the two differ, follow the stricter one.

For example, an Ontario G1 driver visiting Quebec still needs an accompanying driver who meets Ontario's rules, and must also follow Quebec's Highway Safety Code on the road.

1. Before moving, check your new province's grace period and document list.
2. Gather your current licence, proof of identity and proof of new residency.
3. Ask for a driving record from your old province if your new one requires it.
4. Visit the licensing office well within the grace period.
5. Update your insurance and vehicle registration as your new province requires.

Common mistakes

• Waiting until the grace period has nearly ended. Book a visit soon after you move.
• Assuming a learner's licence transfers like a full one. Check whether you must retest.
• Dropping your home licence conditions on a trip. They still apply when you visit.
• Trying to keep both licences. You surrender the old one when you switch.
• Forgetting insurance and registration. Moving can change those rules too.

Test yourself: Moving provinces

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.