RoadVisa Beta

How to get a driving licence in Canada

Getting a car licence from scratch, country by country.

More provinces coming soon.
Car licence

Getting your licence in Canada

Knowledge test questionsVaries
Pass markVaries
Knowledge test feeVaries
Road tests in most provinces2
Road test feeVaries
Typical graduated licence2–3 years

Each province sets its own tests. Pick a province above.

Before you start driving

2
Learner licenceRequired in every province before practising on public roads. You get it after the knowledge and vision tests.
Medical checkNo doctor's exam in most provinces. Your vision is tested when you apply.

Required lessons

2
Supervised practiceLearners drive with an experienced, fully licensed driver. Most provinces set no minimum hours.
Driver educationOptional in most provinces, and it shortens the graduated stages. Required in Quebec.

Good to know

7
Minimum ageSet by each province. Learner licences start at 14–16.
Licence validitySet by each province, usually 5 years.
Exam languagesKnowledge tests in English and French, and in several other languages in some provinces.
If you failEach province sets its own waiting period and fees.
Automatic or manualNo restriction. A licence earned in an automatic covers manual cars too.
New driversEvery province has a graduated licence: a learner stage, then a novice stage with zero alcohol, over about 2–3 years.
Already have a licence from abroad?Each province has its own exchange agreements. Many cover licences from Western Europe, the US, Japan and South Korea. Pick a province above for details.

Step by step

  1. Knowledge and vision testPass these to get a learner licence.
  2. Learner stageUsually at least 12 months with a supervisor.
  3. First road testPass to get a novice licence.
  4. Novice stageUsually 1–2 years with zero alcohol.
  5. Full licenceIn most provinces, after a second road test.

Tips

  • Each province publishes a free driver's handbook. The knowledge test is based on it, so read your province's version.

Official links

Canada.ca: Driving in Canada ↗Last checked 20 Oct 2026
Wrong information? Help us fix itTell us what's incorrect and we'll check it against the official sources.

About: This page

Frequently asked questionsCoverage, sources and how RoadVisa works.

Why isn't my country listed?

RoadVisa is still growing. It covers 42 countries and all 50 US states plus Washington, D.C. so far, and more are added step by step. Each country is checked against its own official sources, in its own language, before it goes live.

Why isn't Africa covered?

Many African licensing authorities publish little detail about their driving rules online, so we can't yet check the answers against official sources. We'll add African countries as official information becomes available.

Where does the information come from?

From official sources only: licensing authorities, ministries, police and government websites, read in each country's own language. Every answer links to its sources and shows when it was last checked.

What's the difference between Visiting and Moving?

Visiting covers short stays such as holidays and business trips, when you keep your home licence. Moving covers becoming a resident, when most countries want you to exchange your licence or take tests by a deadline.

What is an International Driving Permit?

A translation of your licence in a standard format. It's only valid together with your own licence, and you get it in the country that issued your licence, usually from a motoring club or the licensing authority. RoadVisa tells you when a country expects one.

Does RoadVisa cover motorcycles or trucks?

Not yet. The answers are about car licences: category B in Europe, and the local equivalent elsewhere, such as Class C or D in most US states. Other licences may follow later.

Is RoadVisa official?

No. RoadVisa is an independent guide and isn't linked to any government or licensing authority. The authority that handles your application always has the final word.

Is RoadVisa free?

Yes, RoadVisa is free to use.

I found a mistake. What should I do?

Use "Wrong information? Help us fix it" above. We check every report against the official sources and correct the answer.

About RoadVisa and disclaimerWho we are, and how to use this information.

An independent guide. RoadVisa is a private project. It is not run by, linked to or approved by any government, licensing authority (such as a national road traffic agency or a US DMV), embassy or driving school.

Information only, not legal advice. RoadVisa sums up official rules in plain English. It does not replace the official rules, and it is not a decision about your case. Only the authority that handles your application can decide that.

Rules change. Every answer shows when it was last checked and links to the official source. Check that source before you drive, book a test, move or apply. If RoadVisa and the official source differ, follow the official source.

Your situation matters. The answer can depend on your residence status, licence category, age and when your licence was issued. If you're unsure, ask the licensing authority or your embassy.

Car hire and insurance. Car hire companies and insurers can set their own rules, for example asking for an International Driving Permit even where it isn't required. Check with them too.

Our responsibility. We work hard to keep RoadVisa correct, but we can't promise it is complete or up to date. As far as the law allows, we are not responsible for fines, refused applications, costs or other losses that come from relying on it.

Links to other sites. We link to official and other websites for your convenience. We don't control them and aren't responsible for their content.

Found a mistake? Use the report form above. What you send is used only to check and correct the information. See our privacy notice.