How New Residents Can Get an Ontario License
So, you are new to Ontario. And, amid all of the tasks that you need to accomplish as part of coming to Ontario such as finding a place to live, starting a new job, and acclimating to your new surroundings, you need to get a valid Ontario driver’s license if you want to drive in the province.
If you are an experienced driver with a valid license from another country, then you will need to produce a driver abstract.
What is a driver abstract?
A driver’s abstract is a record of your driving history. It can be obtained from your previous countries department of transportation and includes information such as:
Your name
Driver’s license number
Your driving level and expiry date
Driving restriction if applicable
A history of your driving record
Ontario Ministry of Transportation reciprocal exchange agreement
To assist with exchanging an out of country license, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation has entered into an agreement with the following countries to assist new Ontario drivers exchange their license. They include:
All Canadian provinces
The Unites States
Japan
Korea
Switzerland
Germany
France
Great Britain
Belgium
Australia
Northern Ireland
Therefore, if you reside from one of the countries listed, Ontario will accept your driving abstract.
Other out of country drivers
Drivers that are applying for an Ontario license from other countries need to fill out an application. This application requires drivers to provide the following information:
A self-declaration of your driving experience and abilities.
An authentication document that outlines your driving experience and shows that you have a valid driver’s license from your previous jurisdiction. This document can be obtained from your previous countries licensing agency or your jurisdiction’s embassy.
If you claim more than 24 months of driving experience, you have the option of attempting the G2 or G exit road test.
If you are new to Ontario and have questions about applying for an Ontario driver’s license, go to the Drive Test website or visit a location near you. They will be able to help you out and answer any questions you have about the application process.