How long can you drive with a foreign licence in Ontario?
Bottom line: A new Ontario resident can use a valid licence from another province, state or country for 60 days. After 60 days, an Ontario licence is required to continue driving.
The resident deadline
A new Ontario resident can use a valid licence from another province, state or country for 60 days. After 60 days, an Ontario licence is required to continue driving.
The clock is about residency, not simply the date you first crossed the border as a tourist. If your status changes from visitor or student to resident, or you begin employment that changes how the province treats you, re-check the deadline instead of relying on the date printed on your foreign licence.
Do students or temporary residents get an exception?
Ontario does not provide a broad newcomer-student exemption equivalent to some provinces. If Ontario becomes your residence, use the 60-day resident rule unless the ministry confirms a specific exception applies.
Start the exchange before the last legal day
Waiting until the deadline creates unnecessary risk. Appointments, licence authentication, translations and road-test availability can all add time. Start early enough that a document problem does not leave you unable to drive.
What to collect before surrendering your licence
Bring the original licence, acceptable identity, proof of driving experience when needed, and any required translation. DriveTest may request additional authentication.
Driving experience matters. Ontario can credit eligible foreign experience, and the documents proving how long you have been licensed affect whether you can move directly toward a G2 or full G road test.
Insurance comes after the licence path is clear
Ontario auto insurers use driving record and length of licensing as rating factors. FSRA says MTO-recognized foreign driving experience is valid for rating personal auto insurance, so getting experience properly recognized can matter beyond the licence itself.
Keep copies of every history document before surrendering your old licence. A driver abstract, claims-history letter or official first-licence date can be harder to obtain once you have already left the issuing country.
Primary source
Ontario — Exchange an out-of-province driver’s licence →
Next steps
General planning information only. The licensing authority decides your final exchange, test and experience-credit result.