Driver's licence

Scope

To legally drive in Canada, driver needs a driver’s licence issued by the government of the driver’s home province or territory. Driver’s licences are issued by the government of the province or territory in which the driver is residing. Specific regulations relating to driver’s licences vary province to province, though overall they are quite similar. With a driver’s licence, a driver can drive anywhere in Canada.

Regulatory citations

• Provincial and territorial laws and regulations.

Key definitions

• None

Summary of requirements

To get a driver’s license in Canada, a driver needs a valid, full driving license, a credit card, and a driving record. The process to get a driver’s licence in Canada depends on the province or territory where the driver lives and on the driver’s driving background. It may include a written exam on the rules of the road and one or two driving tests.

The minimum age to get a driver’s license in Canada varies by province. The earliest is Alberta, where one can get a learner’s permit (Class 7) at 14 years of age. To become a fully-licensed driver, one must be at least 18 years of age and have completed the probationary driving period, which can be reduced by taking a driver training program.

Other provinces have different age requirements and stages for getting a driver’s license. For example, in Ontario, a driver must be at least 16 years old, pass an eye test, and pass a knowledge test about the rules of the road and traffic signs. Once a driver passes these tests, they are issued a G1 licence. The driver is considered a beginner driver and needs to practice driving and gain experience over time.

The time it takes to get a driver’s license in Canada varies depending on the province or territory where the driver lives, the type of license desired, and the driver’s driving background. Generally, it involves a two-step licensing process that takes at least 20 months to complete. Drivers will need to pass a vision test, a knowledge test, and one or two road tests. You may also need to take driving lessons to prepare for the tests.

Commercial classes of licenses

In certain jurisdictions, drivers must obtain additional driver training before they can obtain a Class 1/A license to operate large heavy vehicles (tractor-trailer combinations). The training is referred to as mandatory entry level driver training, or MELT.

The MELT minimum standards are covered in National Safety Code (NSC) Standard 16. This standard contains specific curriculum requirements, including in-class, in-yard, and in-cab practice.