Every newcomer asks himself the question: ‘how to get a driver’s licence in Canada’? There is no single answer to this question, because each province and territory of Canada has its own requirements in this regard: from simple exchangeto mandatory attendance at a driving school and retakes for classes (categories). Before moving to Canada, you need to get your international driving permit, which will greatly simplify all further steps with re-applying.
It should be noted that working as a truck driver in Canada requires a driver’s licence of the appropriate class (category). A special training program for truck drivers developed by the MV Group team makes it possible to pass the driving test for working as a truck driver in the shortest possible time. In this case, it is mandatory to attend a driving school and pass tests. A high level of English language proficiency will significantly speed up the process of obtaining a driver’s licence and save time and money on retaking tests.
General information about driving in Canada:
- You need a valid driver’s licence to drive a car
- Each province and territory issues its own driver’s licence
- Driving licences obtained in other countries allow you to drive for a short time
- Foreign licences need to be exchanged
- Each province has a list of countries whose driving licences are automatically exchanged
- Driving a car requires insurance
Find out if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration
Components of getting driver’s licence in Canada:
- A written test
- One or two practical tests
- Passing an eye test
To prepare for the practical test, you can hire an instructor who will prepare you for the Canadian driving test in the specific province where you reside. Driving licences are subject to periodic renewal. They can be used throughout the country, regardless of the province of issue.
Each province and territory has its own slightly different traffic rules. It is especially worth paying attention to the rules that differ from the generally accepted ones.
There are special driving requirements in Canada:
- In winter
- In the presence of large animals on the roads
- If there are different road signs from European ones
You need to have the information in English or French to 
exchange your driver’s licence. Each province sets its own rules for exchanging or reissuing driving licences.
Ukrainians can exchange their driver’s licence in some provinces, and this will be sufficient to drive passenger cars. In other provinces, there is no possibility of exchanging Ukrainian driver’s licences, so you will need to completely retrain and take tests.
Contacting the authorities of the province, where you plan to reside permanently, will provide you with comprehensive information on the exchange of driving licences or the need to retake the exams.
An international driving permit in Canada allows you to drive in different provinces for different periods of time without having to retake the driving test.
Allowed driving periods in Canada under an international driving permit:
- 180 days – in Quebec
- 120 days – in Prince Edward Island
- 90 days – in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Labrador
- 60 days – in Ontario
- indefinite period – in the provinces and territories of New Brunswick, Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon
Obtaining a driver’s licence in Canada is easy, if you are prepared for it. Contact MV Group and get detailed advice on the requirements for obtaining a driver’s licence in your province of residence.
