Driver's Licence

New Residents Who Hold a Driver's Licence Issued by a Country Other than Canada or the USA

If you hold a valid driver's licence issued by your jurisdiction of origin authorizing you to drive a passenger vehicle (Class 5), a motorcycle (Class 6), or a moped (Class 6D), you may drive the corresponding class of vehicle for up to 6 months after settling in Québec. After that, you must obtain a licence from  the SAAQ. You can apply for a Québec licence as soon as you are settled in Québec.

If your driver's licence authorizes you to drive vehicles other than a passenger vehicle (Class 5), a motorcycle (Class 6), or a moped (Class 6D), you are not allowed to drive these vehicles after settling in Québec. You must first obtain a driver's licence issued by the SAAQ. You can apply for a Québec licence as soon as you are settled in Québec. However, a medical exam is required.

Terms to obtain a Québec driver's licence vary according to the country that issued your driver's licence.

If this country appears in the following list, and if you hold a valid licence, you are eligible for a Class 5 driver's licence exchange without proficiency examinations as these countries have entered into agreements with Québec regarding the exchange of a driver's licence. However, you must pass the required tests if your wish to obtain a licence authorizing you to drive a motorcycle (Class 6):

• Austria
• Belgium
• France
• Germany
• Great Britain: England, Scotland, Wales
• Isle of Man
• Japan
• Netherlands (The): Holland, Dutch Antilles (St. Martin, Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Sabat and St. Eustache)
• Northern Ireland
• Republic of Korea (South Korea)¹
• Switzerland
• Taiwan

1. Driver's licences issued by the Republic of Korea (South Korea) must be valid or have been expired for less than 3 years.

Should the jurisdiction that issued your licence not be listed above, you can obtain a licence if you pass the SAAQ's proficiency examinations.

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