Driving in Canada

Get a driver's licence

To legally drive in Canada, you must always carry a valid driver's licence with you.

After you arrive in Canada

Depending on the province or territory where you live, you may be able to temporarily drive with 1 or both of these documents:

• a valid driver's licence issued by your home country (it depends on the country) or
• an International Driving Permit (IDP)

Each province or territory has its own time limit for using these documents. Once you reach that time limit, you must have a valid licence issued by the province or territory where you live.

To learn more, check with your province or territory.

Get a driver's licence issued by your province or territory

A driver's licence is issued by the province or territory where you live. Here's how to get a licence and what to do after you have one:

1. Learn about road safety rules

   Study the driving guide issued by your province or territory. The guide is available

   • online
   • in car service centres
   • at car dealerships

2. Learn to drive or practise driving

   If you're a new driver, you must learn how to drive a car. You can search online for driving schools in your community.

   If you're an experienced driver, you still need to practise driving based on the road rules in your province or territory.

   You can practise driving by doing any of the following:

   • getting help or supervision from a fully licenced driver (such as a friend or family member)
   • paying for driving lessons

3. Pass the knowledge and driving tests

   Most Canadian provinces and territories require you to pass

   • a knowledge test on road safety rules, and
   • 1 or 2 driving tests

   Fees for driving tests vary by province and territory.

4. Get your licence

   You'll get your licence after you pass the tests and pay all the required fees.

5. Renew your licence

   Once you have a licence, you must renew it before it expires. The expiry date is on your licence and may vary based on factors such as

   • any medical or vision-related conditions you have
   • your age

   To learn more about getting a licence, check with your province or territory.

Follow traffic laws and drive safely

You must obey traffic laws and road safety rules when driving. If you don't, you may face severe penalties.

Traffic laws and road safety rules are generally similar across Canada, but some may vary depending on the province or territory where you live.

Generally, you can't

•  drive while impaired (by alcohol, drugs, or medications)
•  use a hand-held device (such as your phone) while driving
•  go over the posted speed limit

You must

•  obey traffic lights and road signs
•  drive on the right-hand side of the road
•  use your seat belts (your passengers as well)
•  use approved car seats or booster seats for children
•  pull off the road and allow emergency vehicles (police cars, ambulances, fire trucks) to pass when their sirens and flashing lights are on
•  stop and wait when a yellow school bus stops with flashing red lights, including when
  • you're behind the bus or
  • you're driving toward the bus in the opposite direction
•  give priority to pedestrians
•  be respectful of cyclists
•  be courteous on the road, for example
  • allow other cars to enter your lane
  • keep to the right-hand lane (left-hand lanes are for faster vehicles or passing)

Learn more about road transportation in Canada.

Winter driving

Snow and ice are major driving hazards in most parts of Canada. Drive with caution in snowy and icy conditions. You should also have winter tires for your car (mandatory in some provinces and territories).

Learn more about

• using winter tires
• winter driving in Canada

If you're in an accident

It's a serious crime to leave the scene of the accident. This includes accidents with another vehicle or a pedestrian. If you're in an accident

• call the emergency number (911) for police and an ambulance (if you need one)
• wait at the scene until the emergency services arrive
• exchange information with the other driver (if the accident involves another vehicle), including
  • name
  • address
  • telephone number
  • licence plate
  • driver's licence numbers
  • name of insurance company
  • insurance plan number

Learn more about road safety in Canada.

Register your car

Your car must be registered in your province or territory. This makes sure that your car has a valid registration plate or permit before you drive it.

To register a car, you need to have a valid driver's licence and insurance.

You may face penalties if you drive an unregistered car. Penalties vary by province or territory and may include

• fines
• towing
• impoundment
  • This means authorities (such as the local police) take away your car.

The car owner pays extra fees for towing and impoundment.

To find out more, check with your province or territory.