Moving to Ontario, out-of-province licences and renewals

By the end of this topic you can

• You can state how long a new resident can drive on an outside licence.
• You can explain the difference between exchange and non-exchange jurisdictions.
• You can describe how foreign driving experience is credited.
• You can renew your licence and update your address on time.

What you need to know and understand

• New residents may use a valid licence from another province or country for 60 days.
• Ontario has exchange agreements with every Canadian province and territory and with several countries, including the United States, Australia, Japan and Great Britain.
• Drivers from exchange jurisdictions with an equivalent licence can get a full G; with under two years' experience they may enter at G2.
• Applicants from other countries pass a vision and knowledge test for a G1 and, since July 1, 2026, can claim at most 12 months of foreign experience.
• Ontario licences are valid for five years; renewal costs $90 for a five-year licence.
• You must tell the ministry within six days of changing your name or address.

From another province or an exchange country

Exchange partners include all provinces and territories, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Ireland, the Isle of Man, Japan, Kosovo, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine and the United States. With an equivalent licence you receive a full Class G. If you have less than two years' experience, you may be credited for your experience and enter G2, then take the G road test once you are eligible.

From anywhere else

Visitors staying more than three months need an International Driving Permit from their home country, and visitors cannot get an Ontario licence. Our New to Ontario guide explains the paperwork.

1. Apply with a valid foreign licence and acceptable ID, pay the fees and pass the vision and knowledge tests to get a G1.
2. Claim experience: only experience from the past three years counts, up to 12 months.
3. To be credited with more than six months, you need an authentication letter from the embassy, consulate or licensing agency, dated within the past six months and in English or French.
4. With 12 months credited, you can take the G2 road test straight away, then wait 12 months at G2 before the G road test.

Renewals and updates

Full G, M or GM licence holders who meet the conditions can renew online; others go to a ServiceOntario centre. The new card arrives by mail within four to six weeks. You can renew a car licence that has been expired for under one year without tests, but if it has been expired, suspended or cancelled for more than three years you must start graduated licensing again. Drivers aged 80 and over must renew every two years and complete extra screening, such as a vision test. Changing your name or address on your licence is free.

Common mistakes

• Driving on your old licence for months after moving. The limit is 60 days.
• Assuming every foreign year counts. Only up to 12 months from the past three years is credited for non-exchange countries.
• Forgetting to update your address. You must tell the ministry within six days.
• Letting your licence lapse for years. Over three years means redoing graduated licensing.

Test yourself: Moving to Ontario, out-of-province licences and renewals

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

Go deeper

• How to Get a G Licence in Ontario
• New to Ontario
• Ontario ATV and snowmobile road rules