Foreign Driver's Licence

Your driver’s licence was issued in Canada

Step 0 Your driver’s licence was issued in Canada

    • Documents to provide

      Licence exchange – Documents required at the time of your first appointment to check your eligibility

      • Driver's licence from another Canadian province or territory
      • Proof of Canadian citizenship or right to stay in Canada
      • Proof of residency in Québec
      • Proof that you were a resident in the province or territory that issued your licence if you obtained your licence within the previous 3 years

Vehicles that you may drive during the first 6 months

Your driver’s licence issued elsewhere in Canada is valid during the first 6 months of your stay in Québec if you drive:

  • a passenger vehicle
  • a motorcycle
  • a moped or motorized scooterA 2- or 3-wheel passenger vehicle equipped with an electric motor or a gasoline-powered engine with a cylinder capacity of no more than 50 cc and an automatic transmission.

However, make sure that your licence:

  • is valid
  • authorizes you to drive the type of road vehicle that you are using

Québec driver’s licence required after the first 6 months

Here is the procedure to obtain a Québec licence, according to the road vehicle that you drive. You can begin the application process as soon as you arrive in Québec.

For a passenger vehicler, motorcycle or moped or motorized scooter

You must exchange your Canadian licenceL'échange permet au titulaire d'un permis délivré dans une province canadienne autre que le Québec, aux États-Unis ou dans un pays ayant signé une entente avec le Québec d'obtenir un permis équivalent du Québec sans avoir à suivre un cours de conduite. Dans certains cas, le titulaire doit réussir des examens de compétence avant de pouvoir échanger son permis. for a Québec licence corresponding to the equivalent class.

Vehicles That You May Not Drive With a Licence Issued by Another Canadian Province or Territory

Even if your current licence authorizes you to, you may not drive:

  • a truck
  • an emergency vehicle
  • a bus
  • a minibus
  • a taxi 

Procedure to be authorized to drive these vehicles

You must exchange your licence issued in another Canadian jusrisdictionL'échange permet au titulaire d'un permis délivré dans une province canadienne autre que le Québec, aux États-Unis ou dans un pays ayant signé une entente avec le Québec d'obtenir un permis équivalent du Québec sans avoir à suivre un cours de conduite. Dans certains cas, le titulaire doit réussir des examens de compétence avant de pouvoir échanger son permis.  for a Québec licence corresponding to the appropriate class and undergo a medical examination. You may begin the application process as soon as you arrive in Québec.

Licence expired for less than 3 years

You do not have to pass any proficiency testsLes examens de compétence permettent à la SAAQ de vérifier les connaissances et les habiletés des conducteurs. Ils peuvent être théoriques ou pratiques et diffèrent selon la classe de permis de conduire. Ils sont presque toujours obligatoires dès qu'une personne veut obtenir un permis pour la première fois.  to obtain a driver's licence.

Licence expired for 3 years or more

You must pass the proficiency testsLes examens de compétence permettent à la SAAQ de vérifier les connaissances et les habiletés des conducteurs. Ils peuvent être théoriques ou pratiques et diffèrent selon la classe de permis de conduire. Ils sont presque toujours obligatoires dès qu'une personne veut obtenir un permis pour la première fois.  to obtain a new licence of the desired class.

Procedure to exchange your licence

Step 1 – Meet the following conditions:

  • be aged 16 or older (or 14 for a Class 6 D licence for a moped or motorized scooter with a cylinder capacity of 50 cc or less)
  • hold a foreign licence equivalent to the licence class sought, for example a licence authorizing you to drive a passenger vehicle or operate a motorcycle
  • be a resident of Québec
  • be authorized to stay in Canada

Step 2 – Make an appointment online

Request an appointment to have your driving experience acquired outside Québec recognized by completing the form on our website.

If you need help completing the form, please call 1 833 306-3041.

We will contact you within 20 business days after receiving your completed form.

Step 3 – Go to your service centre appointment with the following original documents:

  • your driver's licence from another Canadian province or territory
  • proof of Canadian citizenship or right to stay in Canada
  • proof of residency in Québec
  • proof that you were a resident in the province or territory that issued your licence if you obtained your licence within the previous 3 years

In certain situations, other documents may be required. When one of our representatives contacts you to schedule an appointment, be sure to ask which documents you must bring with you.

Step 4 – Pass the proficiency tests, if required

Depending on your situation, you may be abble to take the knowledge tests at the service centre on the same day as your appointment, or you may have to make another appointment. The fees for the tests are $12.40.

If you pass the knowledge tests, you may make an appointment for the road test, if it is required, by calling one of the following numbers:

On the day of the road test, you must pay the applicable fees. The amount varies depending on the class of licence sought. If you pass the road test, you will be allowed to exchange your licence.

Step 5 – Pay the licence exchange fees

The licence exchange fees vary depending on the licence class, and are higher if you apply for an additional licence class.

Payment options

At our service outlets, we accept payment:

  • in cash
  • by Interac (debit card)—not available in some service outlets
  • by cheque or money order

Payment by credit card is not accepted.

Driving experience

If the SAAQ recognizes that you have fewer than 24 months of experience driving a car, you will obtain a probationary licenceLicence issued to a person driving an automobile or a motorcycle alone for the first time. This licence allows the holder to acquire the driving experience necessary to obtain a driver's licence (24 months). The holder is subject to the zero-alcohol rule and the 4-demerit point bracket. . You will hold this licence until you have accumulated 24 months of driving experience. We determine your experience on the basis of your driver’s licence and driving record.

Last update: May 31, 2023