Driver's Licence

Checking the Validity of a Driver's Licence

In what situations should you check a driver's licence?

You should check the validity of a driver's licence:

before lending or renting your vehicle to another person;
when your company employs drivers.

Make sure the driver of your vehicle or company vehicle holds a driver's licence that is valid and of the appropriate class.

Why check the validity of a licence?

If a peace officer stops your vehicle and the driver's record is not in order:

your vehicle could be seized and impounded for a period of 30 days. The vehicle is seized and impounded at the owner's expense;
you are liable to a fine.

Tips for businesses

Before you hire drivers, always ask for a Driving Record Request, for a more detailed look at their driving experience and conduct on the road.
A simple way to know if the licences of drivers you employ remain valid is to implement a licence validity check procedure. Many problems can be avoided by checking licences several times per year.

What information is available?

The result of your request will indicate if the licence is valid, as well as the type of licence and classes, and, where applicable, licence conditions I, W, X or Y that could result in vehicle seizure and endorsements.

In the interest of confidentiality, no names, addresses or other personal information concerning the driver's licence holder are released.

The reasons why a licence is not valid are not disclosed. For more complete information about a person's driving record, you are required to submit a Driving Record Request.

Although failure to comply with the other licence conditions does not necessarily result in vehicle seizure, you can also check directly on the back of the licence if their holders are subject to specific conditions due to their state of health.