Foreign Driver’s Licence in Ontario: Licence Exchange & Driving Experience Changes for 2026
If you’re new to Ontario and have a foreign driver’s licence, you may be wondering whether you can exchange your licence or whether you need to complete Ontario’s G1, G2 and G licensing process.
The answer depends on where your licence was issued. As of July 1, 2026, Ontario also changed how foreign driving experience is credited for drivers from countries that do not have a licence-exchange agreement with Ontario.
Here’s what newcomers need to know.
Can You Exchange a Foreign Driver’s Licence in Ontario?
Ontario has driver’s licence-exchange agreements with certain Canadian and international jurisdictions.
You may be eligible for an Ontario driver’s licence exchange if you are relocating from:
| Any Canadian province or territory | Japan |
| Canadian Armed Forces | South Korea |
| U.S. States* | Kosovo |
| Australia | New Zealand |
| Austria | Northern Ireland |
| Belgium | Republic of Ireland |
| Croatia | Switzerland |
| Denmark | Taiwan |
| France | Ukraine |
| Germany | Great Britain |
| Hungary | Isle of Man |
*U.S. States only — U.S. territories and protectorates are not included.
The Ontario licence you qualify for will depend on your current licence, driving experience and supporting documents.
What If Your Country Is Not on the Ontario Licence Exchange List?
If your licence is from a country that does not have a licence-exchange agreement with Ontario, you will generally need to go through Ontario’s graduated licensing process.
Your previous driving experience may still be recognized, but an important change took effect on July 1, 2026.
Foreign Driving Experience in Ontario: What Changed?
Previously, drivers with enough verified foreign driving experience could potentially proceed from their G1 directly to the full G road test, without first completing the G2 road test.
That has now changed.
As of July 1, 2026, drivers from non-exchange countries can receive a maximum of 12 months of foreign driving experience credit.
Even if you have many years of driving experience in your home country, you must now complete both the G2 and G road tests.
The process is:
G1 → G2 Road Test → G2 Licence → G Road Test → Full G Licence
What If You Receive 12 Months of Foreign Driving Experience Credit?
If you receive the full 12 months of foreign driving experience credit, you may be eligible to take your G2 road test immediately after completing the required vision and knowledge tests.
After passing your G2 road test, you must wait at least 12 months before attempting the full G road test.
This means that even if you have 5, 10 or more years of foreign driving experience, you cannot use that experience to skip the G2 road test or reduce the required waiting period between the G2 and G road tests.
What Documents Do Foreign Drivers Need?
You will need your original, valid foreign driver’s licence.
Depending on your situation, you may also need an official authentication document to confirm your previous driving experience.
The authentication document must be from the foreign government or agency that issued your driver’s licence, confirm that the licence is authentic, and be written in English or French.
If your foreign licence is not in English or French, Ontario’s translation requirements also apply.
It’s always a good idea to check the required documents before visiting a DriveTest Centre.
Getting Your Ontario Driver’s Licence as a Newcomer
Before applying for an Ontario driver’s licence, first find out whether your country is an exchange or non-exchange jurisdiction.
If your country has an exchange agreement with Ontario, you may qualify for a driver’s licence exchange.
If your country does not have an exchange agreement, the foreign driving experience process applies, including the maximum 12 months of experience credit and the requirement to complete both the G2 and G road tests.
Even if you are an experienced driver, taking a few driving lessons can help you become familiar with Ontario road rules and what examiners expect during your road test.
For the latest information about foreign driver’s licences in Ontario, always check DriveTest.ca or the Ontario Ministry of Transportation before applying.
