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Process to obtain driver license in Ontario Canada

This is a simplified explanation on how to obtain the Ontario Driver’s License for small automotive vehicles (G class) for private use. Rules are similar in other provinces with slight variations In case of doubt, refer to the Ontario Official Drivers’ Handbook (available only in English or French)..

Foreigners in Ontario

–   Visitors from other countries may drive up to 90 days with the license of their country.

–  New residents may drive with the license of the former jurisdiction, but must apply for an Ontario license within 60 days of taking up residence in the province.

The process has three progressive stages (“G1”, “G2” and G) which may take up to two years. But if you have a valid driver license from any other jurisdiction of Canada, United States or country with reciprocity agreement, you can simply exchange it at par. NOTE: If your country is not among the latter, your documented driving experience will allow some important shortcuts. This and/or completing a driving program, will lower your insurance rates significantly. But you must first understand the general process explained further below.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Any foreign document that you are required to present must have been issued in English or French, or be accompanied by a translation from a translator approved by the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO). Contact directly with the approved Spanish English translator here.

Definition of  “G” Class Vehicles

Any passenger or cargo vehicle or towing combination of up 11,000 kg. The towed vehicle must not exceed 4,600 kg, unless it is a recreational vehicle when towed by a pick-up truck.  Motorcycles and motor-assisted pedal cycles are excluded.

1.   “G” class driving license general process

Canadian or foreign applicants must be 16 years or older and must undergo the following process:

1. Get the Ontario drivers handbook (only available in English and French) online or at a DriveTest Center and study it for the written “G1” license test. Take some practice tests online. Both the final and practice tests are available in Spanish. Go for the test when ready.
2. Initiate the process at a DriveTest Center, no online booking, 1st-come-1st- serve. Arrive one hour (or more) ahead of closing time.
3. Present Acceptable ID and fill the Driver’s License Application (and foreign driver’s license, if applicable, see (3.c).
4. Pay the fees set by the MTO and subject to change with cash, credit/debit card, certified cheque, bank draft or money order (payable to Serco Canada Inc.), or travelers cheque (CD$ or US$).

• Pass a vision test, takes only a few minutes. It is done at the counter by a customer service agent. Take you corrective lenses, if required.

1. Pass the written knowledge test (available in  Spanish). This test takes approximately 30 minutes. If you are not successful, take it again another day until you pass it (paying the test fee again) and a week later you will receive the beginners “G1” license by mail.
2. The “G1” beginners driver license is valid for 5 years and allows you to practice and develop your driving skills for a minimum of 12 months with the following limitations, (regardless of age).
   1. Only drive accompanied on the front passenger seat by a G licensed driver with minimum four years of driving experience and with less than 0.05% of alcohol in the blood, if over 21 years, or 0% if under 21 years.
   2. Zero alcohol and cannabis/marihuana:As  driver, you must have zero blood alcohol level at all times and no cannabis/marihuana in the system. No exceptions.

• Seatbelts:Driver and all passengers must wear seatbelts buckledup.

1. No driving
   • From 12 midnight to 5:00 am, not even accompanied.
   • On roads with posted speeds over 80 km/h,including 400-series highways or expressways like Gardiner Expressway, Don Valley Parkway and Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) in the greater Toronto Area, the E.C. Row Expressway in Windsor, Conestoga Parkway in Kitchener-Waterloo, unless a driver instructor accompanies you.
2. Graduate from the “beginners G1” level. After the minimum practice period of 12 months, but within the 5 year validity of your “G1” beginners license, take and pass the “G2” road test. Book an appointment on line. This test assesses your basic city driving skills, takes about 20 minutes and you may repeat it (paying the test fee again) until you pass; but again, before your “G1” license expires (5 years), else you will go back to step 1.b.iv.

1. The “G2 intermediate” license is valid for only 12 months and is not renewable. It allows to drive “G” class vehicles, unaccompanied by an experienced driver at any time (if 20 years or older) and on any road (even those with speed limit over 80 km/h), under the following limitations and conditions:
   1. “G” class vehicles excluded. Any when its use requires driver license types “A” to “F.
   2. Zero alcohol and cannabis/marihuana:As  driver, you must have zero blood alcohol level at all times and no cannabis/marihuana in the system. Click for more details.

• Seatbelts:Driver and all passengers must wear seatbelts buckledup.

1. Drivers 19 years or under driving between 12 midnight and 5 a.m during the first six months of their “G2” license, can only have one passenger age 19 or under. Thereafter may have up to three passengers of that age bracket at any time period. This condition is waived if there is a fully licensed driver in the car (four or more years experience with “G” license.) or if passengers are immediate family members (e.g., parent, brother, sister).
2. Graduate from the “intermediate G2” level. Pass the “G” road test within the 1 year validity period of your “G2”. Book a test on line. The test  assesses your more advanced driving skills (i.e.. highway driving and parallel parking). You may repeat it (paying the test fees every time) until you pass it; but again, before the 1 year expiration date of your “G2” license, else you will go back to step 1.b.iv.  Upon passing the “G” test you will immediately receive a 90 days temporary “G” license for you to drive until your definitive one arrives by mail.

2. “G” class license with credit for foreign license

The process is the same described above, but with the following slight variations to credit for foreign driving experience during the last three years.

The credit obtained does not exempt you from completing the preceding steps 1a, 1b, 1c & 1d.

3. Starting the process with foreign driver’s license

When you visit a DriveTest Center to apply for your license for the written exam (1.b), besides your acceptable identification document (3.a), also take your valid foreign driver’s license and, if possible, also its authentication documents (3d).

IMPORTANT NOTE: Any foreign document that you are required to present must have been issued in English or French, or be accompanied by a translation from a translator approved by the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO). Contact directly with the approved Spanish English translator here.

1. Acceptable identification documents for permanent or temporary residents are:
2. Canadian Permanent Resident card/certificate (with signature).
3. Record of Landing (Form IMM 1000) with an IMM 1436 (if issued) for any data amended. If it belongs to a child, must provide additional document as proof of signature.

• Confirmation of Permanent Resident Form (IMM 5292) with valid passport from country of origin.

1. Immigration and Refugees Protection Act Report (IMM 1442) with photo. If a child, must provide an additional document as proof of signature.
2. Student Authorization/Study Permit (IMM 1442).
3. Work Authorization/Work Permit (IMM 1442)

• Visitor Record (IMM 1442)
• Temporary Resident’s Permit (IMM 1442) (formerly Minister’s Permit/Extension)

1. Ontario Photo Identity Card
2. An applicant identified as a child on a parent’s passport must also provide an additional document as proof of signature.
3. Foreign valid driver’s license
   1. Expired driver licenses are not acceptable.
   2. Must have your signature, picture, full name and date of birth.

• Must have an expiry date or wording to the effect that it does not expire.

1. Must have the date it was issued.
2. Licenses missing both issue and expiry dates are not acceptable. If it misses one of the two, you may still qualify to receive credit for up to 12 months of driving experience.
3. If it the driver’s license has any full name and date of birth discrepancies with the acceptable identification document (3.a), must provide others linking them (i.e.: certificates of birth or marriage; court order showing legal name on divorce, adoption or change of name cases; certified copies of records of employment, school, church, insurance policy older than 3 years, etc.
4. c) Driver’s license application

Don’t complete a standard application, but the one for “Driver’s with foreign driving experience”

1. i) Declare your foreign driving experience during the last 3 years, as per your driver’s license and authentication documents. NOTE: Even if you cannot provide proof of driving experience at the time of the original license application, because you can return with the appropriate documents to add experience on to your record.
2. ii) Show the original valid license (it will be returned to you); if not issued in English or French, attach a translated

iii)  Attach a proof of authenticity not older than 6 months; if not issued in English or French, attach a translated copy.

1. If neither of the above indicates the date you were initially licensed to drive, indicate it on the application.
2. If you can not obtain proof of authenticity and/or of driving experience, the Ministry will accept the time declared on the application, but only up to 12 months.
3. d) Authentication documents

If you claim having more than 12 months of driving experience on your application, you must provide an original letter or certificate authenticating the license, else you will get credit for only 12 months.

1. May be obtained from:

• The official entity that issues drivers licenses or keeps driving records in your country, or
• The Embassy or Consulate of your country in Canada

1. Characteristics

• Must be on the originator’s official letterhead paper, with the original signature and seal.
• Must be dated no more than 6 months prior to application date.

iii.  Must clearly state the following:

• That it is legitimate, still valid, not suspended or expired.
• Date it was issued. If the date showing belongs to the renewal, then must also indicate the date when the bearer was licensed the first time.
• Its expiration date, or if does not expire, clearly wording so.

NOTE: If not issued in English or French, attach a translation.