Driver's licences in Canada

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In Canada, driver's licences are issued by the government of the province or territory in which the driver is residing. Thus, specific regulations relating to driver's licences vary province to province, though overall they are quite similar. All provinces have provisions allowing non-residents to use licences issued by other provinces and territories, out-of-country licences, and International Driving Permits. Many provinces also allow non-residents to use regular licences issued by other nations and countries. Canadian driver's licences are also valid in many other countries due to various international agreements and treaties.

Contents

The American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators provides a standard for the design of driving permits and identification cards issued by AAMVA member jurisdictions, which include Canadian territories and provinces. The newest card design standard released is the 2020 AAMVA DL/ID Card Design Standard (CDS). [1] The AAMVA standard generally follows part 1 and part 2 of ISO/IEC 18013-1 (ISO compliant driving licence). The ISO standard in turn specifies requirements for a card that is aligned with the UN Conventions on Road Traffic, namely the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic and the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. [1]

Age of eligibility

Canada's driving age is determined on a province-by-province basis. The age to begin driving varies by province, with the earliest being Alberta at 14 years of age. [2] The provinces use a graduated driver licensing (GDL) system for a standard car and light-truck licence to ensure the proficiency of drivers.

The driving age in the various Canadian provinces is as follows:

Driving age by province
ProvinceStandard age for learner's permitStandard age for restricted licenceMinimum age for restricted licence (with driver education)Standard age for full licenceNotes
Alberta14161618
British Columbia16171719Restricted licence stage can be shortened from two years to one year and six months if driver goes through an accredited driver education program.
Manitoba1616 years 9 months16 years 3 months18Learner's permit can be acquired at 15 years and 6 months, and restricted licence at 16 years and 3 months, if student uses an accredited high school driver education program.
New Brunswick161716 years 8 months18Restricted licence can be acquired in 8 months (so 16 years, 8 months) if driver uses an accredited driver education program.
Newfoundland and Labrador161716 years 8 months18Restricted licence can be acquired in 8 months (so 16 years, 8 months) if driver uses an accredited driver education program.
Nova Scotia1616 years 3 months16 years 3 months19Driver education is mandatory. If a new driver completes the long course, they can take the road test and obtain their restricted licence after 3 months (16 years, 3 months). If they complete the short course, they must wait 6 months (so 16 years, 6 months) to be eligible for a restricted licence.
Ontario161716 years 8 months18Restricted licence can be acquired in 8 months (so 16 years, 8 months) if driver goes to accredited driver education program. This reduces age for full licence to 17 and 8 months old.
Prince Edward Island161716 years 9 months19Restricted licence can be acquired in 9 months (so 16 years, 9 months) if driver uses an accredited driver education program.
Saskatchewan1616 years 9 months16 years18Learner's permit can be acquired at 15 years of age, and restricted licence at 16 years of age, if student uses an accredited high school driver education program.
Québec16171719Driver education is mandatory.
Driving age by territory
TerritoryStandard age for learner's permitStandard age for restricted licenceStandard age for full licenceNotes
Yukon151617 years 6 monthsManual and road laws partly derived from British Columbia.
Northwest Territories151617Manual and road laws partly derived from Alberta.
Nunavut151618Manual and road laws derived from federal guidelines. A Nunavut driver's licence is typically not valid in other jurisdictions in Canada, unless the driver undergoes special exams and endorsements.

Standard data field labelling

Except for Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and DND 404 licences, each data field on the licence is labelled with a number. This is required by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators' design standard. The AAMVA standard generally follows part 1 and part 2 of ISO/IEC 18013-1 (ISO compliant driving licence). The ISO standard in turn specifies requirements for a card that is aligned with the UN Conventions on Road Traffic, namely the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic and the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic.

  1. surname
  2. other names
  3. date of birth
  4. a) date of issue, b) date of expiry, c) (not used), d) different number from the one under heading 5, for administrative purposes
  5. licence number
  6. photograph of holder
  7. signature of holder
  8. address
  9. licence categories (9a is used for endorsements)
  10. (not used)
  11. (not used)
  12. restrictions
  13. (not used)
  14. (not used)
  15. sex
  16. height
  17. weight
  18. eye color
  19. hair color

Some fields are optional. For example, some provinces omit some or all of these fields: 4d, 17, 18, and 19.

Provinces

Alberta

Drivers upgrading to a Class 1, 2, 3, or 4 licence must possess a Class 5 (non-probationary) licence and be at least 18 years of age to apply. [3]

Endorsement

  • Air brakes: Air brake endorsements are required for any driver of a vehicle with an air-only braking system or a combination air and hydraulic braking system. [4] Any driver in Alberta may obtain an air brake endorsement after completing an approved air brake course, which includes a practical exam, and writing the written knowledge test at the registry. On all classes, except Class 1, the endorsement is represented as a "Q" on the licence. It is not shown on the Class 1 licence because all Class 1 drivers licensed in Alberta are required to have attended an approved air brake course; a Class 1 operator's licence cannot be obtained without it. The written knowledge test for Class 1 can be taken prior to having attended an air brake course; however, driver training can not commence until after the course is completed.
  • Transportation of dangerous goods: TDG is not an endorsement placed on an operator licence, but rather is required training received generally from the employer for anyone who offers for transport, transports, or handles dangerous goods. Both employees and self-employed persons must have a dangerous goods training certificate to transport dangerous goods. It is employer-offered due to the wide variety of dangerous goods that may be transported, so the training is employer and commodity specific.

British Columbia

British Columbia has been using a GDL system since August 1998. [7] The program was last revised in October 2003, which involved large changes to the time it took to acquire a full licence (previously, a person could complete the Class 7L stage in as little as 3 months, and the Class 7N in 12, and no passenger limit was enforced above Class 7L). British Columbia requires all new resident drivers to take a driving knowledge test and a road test in order to get a BC driver's licence, except for people holding a valid driver's licence from other Canadian jurisdictions, Austria, Australia, France, Germany, Guernsey, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, or the United States. [8]

Manitoba

New Brunswick

In 2017, all four Atlantic provinces (including New Brunswick [11] ) updated the driver's licence design to use a numbering scheme that resembles the European driving licence. [12]

Newfoundland and Labrador

In Newfoundland and Labrador, one can apply for a learner's licence for Class 5 vehicles (passenger car or light truck) at the age of 16 and cannot obtain their licence until turning 17 (unless one is a graduate of a government-approved driving school program), as well as Class 6 vehicles (motorcycles). [14] Upon completion and pass of a written knowledge test and a vision test, a Class 5 Level I licence will be issued. This licence, commonly referred to as a "learner's permit" restricts holders to one passenger in the vehicle who must be a licensee of no less than 4 years, a blood alcohol level of 0% and no driving between 12am and 5am. A "novice driver" sign must also be placed on the rear windshield. Parental consent is required for applicants under the age of 19. [15]

After 12 months in Level I, or 8 months with the completion of a government-approved driving school program containing both classroom and in-car training, a road test can be taken to advance to Level II. Upon successful completion of the road test, one is advanced to Level II of the graduated licensing program. Level II lasts for 12 months and carries less restrictions than the initial stage. Passengers are permitted during the day but between 12am and 5am, the Level II driver must be accompanied by a licensed driver with 4 years driving experience and cannot have any other passengers in the vehicle. The drivers' blood alcohol content must remain at 0% in this stage.

After 12 months in Level II, the driver is automatically advanced to a full Class 5 licence (unless their licence was suspended in the learner's stage).

Newfoundland and Labrador uses a demerit point system. In two years, a driver can accumulate a maximum of 12 points, although in the novice stage, a maximum of 6 points can be accumulated. [16]

The classes in Newfoundland and Labrador are as follows: [14]

Nova Scotia

The classes in Nova Scotia are as follows: [19]

For Class 7 or 8 licences, the Learner's stage of the system lasts for twelve months, which may be reduced to nine months if a recognized driver education or training program is taken. [20]

Ontario

Graduated Licensing System for Passenger Vehicles

  • Learner's permit (G1): Available at the age of 16 with successful completion of a multiple-choice road theory test and an eye vision test. The G1 licence allows the learning driver to drive on roads accompanied by a full G licence driver with four years of driving experience whose blood alcohol content (BAC) is less than 0.05. Proof of four years' experience is indicated on a licence with four dots. The driver must not drive between 12 AM and 5 AM, and must not drive with a BAC above zero. Furthermore, a G1 driver may not drive on any of the following unless accompanied by a licensed instructor:
    1. 400-series highways with posted speeds of over 80 km/h.
    2. Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW)
    3. Don Valley Parkway
    4. Gardiner Expressway in the Greater Toronto Area
    5. E.C. Row Expressway in Windsor
    6. Conestoga Parkway in Kitchener-Waterloo
  • Probationary licence (G2): Available after having held a G1 licence for 1 year, or eight months if the driver has graduated from a ministry-approved driver education course. After successfully completing a basic road test, a G2 driver may drive without an accompanying driver at any time and on all Ontario roads and highways. The driver must still maintain a BAC of zero and restrict passengers to the number of working seatbelts. As of September 2005, teenage drivers with a G2 licence are restricted in the number of passengers under 19 that they can carry at night. [21] Like the G1 licence, the G2 licence cannot be renewed, forcing progression towards a G licence. [22]
  • Full licence (G): After 1 year of driving with a G2 licence, a driver must take an additional road test that includes driving on a highway. With successful completion, they will obtain a full licence, which carries no restrictions. No further tests are required until the age of 80, provided they renew their licence every five years. [23] Drivers 21 and under must still have a BAC of zero, even with a full G licence. Drivers aged 22 and over are permitted to drive with a maximum of 0.08 BAC, though roadside suspensions may be enforced above 0.05 BAC. Drivers 80 and over must complete a vision and knowledge test and participate in a 90-minute group education session to renew their licence, every two years.

Graduated Licensing System for Motorcycles

  • Class M1: Motorcycles, including a limited-speed motorcycle (motor scooter) and a motor-assisted bicycle (moped). Level 1 of graduated licensing. Holders may drive a motorcycle under certain conditions, which are: blood alcohol content (BAC) must be zero, riders can only ride during daylight hours (half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset), cannot ride on any highway with speeds of greater than 80 km/h except Highways 11, 17, 61, 69, 71, 101, 102, 144 and 655 and no passengers. The M1 allows drivers to drive alone, unlike G1 (which requires an eligible person accompanying). Cannot be renewed.
  • Class M2: Motorcycles, including a limited-speed motorcycle (motor scooter) and a motor-assisted bicycle (moped). Level 2 of graduated licensing. Holders may drive a motorcycle but only with a zero blood alcohol level. Holders may also drive a Class G vehicle under the conditions that apply to a class G1 licence holder. Cannot be renewed.
  • Class M2 with Condition L: Limited-speed motorcycle (LSM) or moped only. Holders may also drive a Class G vehicle under the conditions that apply to a Class G1 licence holder. Cannot be renewed.
  • Class M2 with Condition M: Three-wheeled motorcycles only. Holders may also drive a Class G vehicle under the conditions that apply to a Class G1 licence holder.
  • Class M: Motorcycles, including a limited-speed motorcycle (motor scooter) and a motor-assisted bicycle (moped). Holders may also drive a Class G vehicle under the conditions that apply to a class G1 licence holder
  • Class M with Condition L: Limited-speed motorcycle (LSM) or mopeds only. Limited-speed motorcycles are motorcycles with a maximum speed of 70 km/h. If manufactured after 1988 they are identified by a label on the vehicle that indicates it to be a "LSM/MVL". Holders may also drive a Class G vehicle under the conditions that apply to a Class G1 licence holder.
  • Class M with Condition M: Three-wheeled motorcycles only. Holders may also drive a Class G vehicle under the conditions that apply to a Class G1 licence holder.

Additional Licensing Types for Ontario

  • Class F: Regular bus maximum of 24 passenger capacity and ambulances. Can also operate vehicles in Class 'G'
  • Class E: School purposes bus – maximum of 24 passenger capacity. Can also operate vehicles in Class 'F' and 'G'
  • Class D: Any truck or motor vehicle combination exceeding 11,000 kg provided the towed vehicle is not over 4,600 kg. Can also operate vehicles in Class 'G'
  • Class C: Any regular bus with designed seating capacity for more than 24 passengers. Can also operate vehicles in Class 'D', 'F' and 'G'
  • Class B: Any school purposes bus with designed seating capacity for more than 24 passengers. Can also operate vehicles in Class 'C', 'D', 'E', 'F' and 'G'
  • Class A with Condition R: Drivers with a restricted Class A licence condition would be prevented from operating a motor vehicle pulling double trailers or a motor vehicle pulling a trailer with air-brake. Can also operate vehicles in Class 'D' and 'G'
  • Class A: Any tractor-trailer or combination of motor vehicle and towed vehicles where the towed vehicles exceed a total gross weight of 4,600 kilograms. Can also operate vehicles in Class 'A with Condition R', 'D' and 'G' [24]

Licensing restrictions/endorsements

All licences in Ontario can carry any of the following restrictions/endorsements excluding some which are vehicle class specific. Some are related to health or to law enforcement penalty.

  • Condition A: Special hand controls required
  • Condition B: Special foot controls required
  • Condition C: Special controls for hand and foot required
  • Condition D: Hearing device required
  • Condition E: Visual device required
  • Condition F: Driver training conditions
  • Condition G: Restricted class
  • Condition I: Ignition interlock required
  • Condition J: Special name/address requirements exist
  • Condition K: Special controls required
  • Condition L: Can only drive limited-speed motorcycles and motor assisted bicycle
  • Condition M: May only drive motor-tricycle motorcycles
  • Condition N: Hearing device required when operating Class A or D vehicle in United States
  • Condition R: Class A vehicle restriction (cannot tow two trailers or a trailer equipped with air brakes)
  • Condition S: For test use only
  • Condition V: Valid for rehab evaluation only
  • Condition W: Can only drive a commercial vehicle in Canada only
  • Condition X: Must have corrective lenses
  • Condition Z: Is required for operation of any and all vehicles equipped with air brakes.
  • Condition 2(HC): Hand controls
  • Condition +: Indicates more conditions/restrictions of lesser priority exist, requires system check.

Ontario has used a graduated licensing system since 1994. A driver can take as little as 20 months to get a full licence; however, a driver must have a full (G) licence within five years of obtaining a learner's permit (G1).

In 2006, Ontario passed legislation that would allow a court to suspend the licence of high school dropout until they turn 18. The act did not receive royal assent until December 2009, but is now in effect. [25] [26]

Traffic violation convictions usually come with demerit points against a person's licence. While the demerit points have no official impact on insurance rates, most insurance providers will increase the rate charged to a driver in response to demerit points. The demerit points are used by the Ministry of Transportation to determine licence suspensions due to repeated traffic violations (effects on Ontario insurance rates and eligibility are typically measured by the number of tickets received in recent years, rather than the associated points).

Drivers from out of province must obtain an Ontario driver's licence if staying more than 90 days. New residents of Ontario may only apply after residing in the province for 60 days.

Starting June 2009, Ontario began issuing enhanced drivers licences (EDLs) as an option to residents upon request. These licences were visually almost identical to regular drivers licences, but had a machine readable code printed on the back of the card (visually similar to the same coding on a Canadian passport) and an embedded RFID microchip. These changes were made in response to the heightened security precautions at US land border crossings. The changes allowed for quicker procedures at a border crossing as well as a cheaper alternative to a passport ($40 vs. $100). [27]

The enhanced driver's licence program has been discontinued. [28]

Prince Edward Island

If a person is 16 years or older, they may apply for an Instruction Permit. A instruction permit allows a person to drive under supervision to receive instruction. This type of licence is valid for two years. Testing Requirements for a Driver's Licence are a written or oral exam, road sign, driving, vision test and Novice Driving or Driver Education Course is required for first-time drivers.The classes of licence that can be obtained with appropriate training and required testing are as follows:

https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/transportation-infrastructure-and-energy/graduated-driver-licensing-program

https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/transportation-infrastructure-and-energy/classes-driver-licenses

Quebec

During the learning period the applicant must have held a Class 3 learner's licence for three months or for one month if the applicant is aged 25 or over; or has 60 months' cumulative experience as a holder of a Class 5 licence.

During the Learning period the applicant must have held a Class 2 learner's licence for three months or for one month if aged 25 or over; or has 60 months' cumulative experience as a holder of a Class 5 licence. An applicant who meets one of these three requirements, the one-month period may be substituted by a training program that includes at least 20 driving hours on public roadways with a vehicle covered by a Class 2 licence. An additional 'certificate of competence' is required in the case of a school bus, and there are endorsements for air brake system (F endorsement) and manual transmission (M endorsement)

During the learning period the applicant must have held a class 1 learner's licence for three months or for one month if the applicant is aged 25 or over; or has 60 months' cumulative experience as a holder of a class 5 licence; or is registered in the truck driving training program which leads to the Diploma of Vocational Studies issued by the Ministère de l'Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport and has successfully completed all mandatory sections of the program required to drive on the road without an accompanying rider; or already has a class 2 or 3 driver's licence.

Saskatchewan

Classes

  • Class 1 – power units and semi-trailers, and trucks (except two-axle trucks with farm-class plates) that have a trailer(s) or vehicle(s) in tow where the gross weight of the towed unit(s) exceeds 4,600 kg. Motor vehicles in classes 2, 3, 4 and 5.
  • Class 2 – buses having a seating capacity in excess of 24 passengers while carrying a passenger or passengers. Motor vehicles in classes 3, 4 and 5. Class 1 vehicles as a learner with an appropriate endorsement.
  • Class 3 – trucks with more than two axles (except those with farm-class plates) and trucks with more than two axles that have a trailer(s) or vehicle(s) in tow, where the gross weight of the towed units does not exceed 4,600 kg. Motor vehicles in classes 4 and 5. Class 1 or 2 vehicles as a learner with an appropriate endorsement.
  • Class 4 – taxis (must also have a Certificate of Approval and a Certificate of Good Moral Character), ambulances and buses having a seating capacity of 24 or fewer passengers while carrying passengers. Motor vehicles in class 5. Class 1, 2 or 3 vehicles as a learner with appropriate endorsement.
  • Class 5 – cars, vans, two-axle vehicles having a trailer(s) or vehicle(s) in tow where the gross weight of the towed vehicle(s) does not exceed 4,600 kg, buses when not transporting passengers, three-axle motorhomes, taxis and ambulances when not used for hire. Two-axle farm trucks towing any vehicle. Trucks with more than two axles registered in the farm class. Trucks with more than two axles registered in the farm class when towing vehicle(s) where the weight of the towed vehicle(s) does not exceed 4,600 kg. Class 1, 2, 3 or 4 vehicles as a learner with appropriate endorsement (minimum age 18 and not a novice driver). Vehicles registered in Class PB or PC when used exclusively to transport, for hire, not more than 24 passengers with a disability and any attendants to those passengers.
  • Class 7 – Class 5 vehicles as a learner. Motorcycles under certain circumstances with appropriate endorsement (minimum age 16). [31]

Endorsements

  • Air brakes "A"
  • Detailed Endorsement "G" (heavy trailer, northern above 55th parallel, and well service rigs)
  • 6 endorsement (motorcycle learners)
  • Motorcycle "M" (full licence, 16 years of age)
  • School bus "S" (full licence, if applying for a school bus endorsement card, one must be at least 18 years of age and cannot be a novice driver)
  • Learners "1", "2", "3", "4", "6", "7"
  • Snowmobile and ATV (all-terrain vehicle – must be at least 16 years old, or if younger than 16 years old, must be supervised)
Class 5 – Novice 1 (6 months)
  • 16 years of age
  • Pass Class 5 road test
  • Excludes interruptions (non-renewal, refusal, licence suspension)
Class 5 – Novice 2 (12 months)
  • Completed Novice 1
  • Excludes interruptions (non-renewal, refusal, licence suspension)
  • Free of at-fault collision, traffic conviction and licence suspension
6 Endorsement – Motorcycle learner
  • Must have a Class 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 7 licence.
  • Pass the required supplementary knowledge tests.
  • File a medical report if requested.
  • Be at least 16 years of age.
  • May not operate a motorcycle from half an hour after sunset until half an hour before sunrise.
  • May not carry passengers.
Class 7 – Learner (9 months)
  • 16 years of age (15 years of age high school program)
  • Pass written test
  • Excludes interruptions (non-renewal, refusal, licence suspension)
  • Mandatory education – high school training (30 hours in-class, six hours in-car) or commercial training (six hours in-class, six hours in-car)

Department of National Defence

The Department of National Defence issues a special driving licence known as DND 404 to Canadian Forces military personnel driving CF vehicles or vehicles rented by DND, and the issue is contingent on possession of a provincial driving licence and passing of a DND Safe Driving Course (SDC). [32] Between 2011 and 2012, all DND 404 permits were replaced with modern photo ID cards. [33] Provincial law enforcement agencies do enforce highway traffic laws against such permit holders, and DND 404 permits can be accordingly suspended. [34] [35]

Specimen Images

ProvinceFrontReverseLatest version
Flag of Alberta.svg Alberta Link to image N/A2018
Flag of British Columbia.svg British Columbia Link to image
Flag of Manitoba.svg Manitoba Link to image N/A
Flag of New Brunswick.svg New Brunswick Link to image N/A2017
Flag of Newfoundland and Labrador.svg Newfoundland and Labrador Link to image N/A
Flag of the Northwest Territories.svg Northwest Territories Link to PDF with images
Flag of Nova Scotia.svg Nova Scotia Link to image N/A
Flag of Nunavut.svg Nunavut Link to PDF with images 2009
Flag of Ontario.svg Ontario Link to image N/A
Flag of Prince Edward Island.svg Prince Edward Island Link to image Link to image 2017
Flag of Saskatchewan.svg Saskatchewan Link to image N/A2016-04-01
Flag of Quebec.svg Québec Link to PDF with image 2015-08-24
Flag of Yukon.svg Yukon Link to image N/A2024
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg DND 404 Link to image N/A

Licence suspensions and revocations

Although licence suspensions and revocations are generally a matter for the territorial and provincial government departments of motor vehicles, some driving offences (e.g. dangerous driving and impaired driving) are criminal offences, set down in Canada's Criminal Code. Prison sentences are often given to repeat offenders and to drivers convicted of causing death or grievous bodily harm via Criminal Code driving offences.

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Driving licence in Thailand is a document that allows the holder to drive on any roads in the Kingdom of Thailand. The minimum age to drive a motor vehicle is 18, and to drive a motorcycle is 15. Driving licence is issued and administered by the Department of Land Transport, Ministry of Transport and its branches, land transport offices across Thailand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Driver's license</span> Document allowing one to drive a motorized vehicle

A driver's license, driving licence, or driving permit is a legal authorization, or the official document confirming such an authorization, for a specific individual to operate one or more types of motorized vehicles—such as motorcycles, cars, trucks, or buses—on a public road. Such licenses are often plastic and the size of a credit card.

In Spain, a driving licence is an official document which authorises the holder to operate motor vehicles. It is issued by the Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT).

A Lebanese driving licence is a driving licence issued by the government of Lebanon. It authorises its holder to operate various types of motor vehicles on highways and some other publicly accessible roads. It is issued by each individual district.

Vehicle weight is a measurement of wheeled motor vehicles; either an actual measured weight of the vehicle under defined conditions or a gross weight rating for its weight carrying capacity.

References

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