International Driving Permit

Do you hold a foreign driver’s licence and intend to drive in Québec? Do you hold a Québec driver’s licence and want to drive outside Canada? You might need an international driving permit.

An international driving permit is a "translation" of your driver's licence and must be obtained in the country that issued your driver's licence. This permit specifies—according to an internationally recognized classification—the types of vehicles you are authorized to drive.

You must apply for an international driving permit before coming to Québec.

You hold a foreign driver’s licence

You are allowed to drive on Québec roads with your foreign driver's licence for six months, provided the licence is valid. If you are visiting us for more than six months, you are required to hold an international driver's permit.

An international driving permit is mandatory if…

You are staying in Québec for more than six months and intend on driving on public roads.

If you are visiting Québec for more than six months, with no plans to settle here, you must hold an international driving permit if your foreign licence is not in English or French.

You are a foreign student or trainee

You are allowed to drive a passenger vehicle, a motorcycle, a moped or a scooter for the duration of your studies or traineeship with your foreign driver's licence provided that the licence is valid and bears the appropriate class for the type of vehicle used and that you abide by its conditions. An international driving permit is recommended if your foreign licence is not in English or French.

You are a new resident of Québec

As a new resident, you can drive the following vehicles for up to six consecutive months:

• a passenger vehicle
• a motorcycle
• a moped or scooter

However, your driver’s licence issued outside Québec must be valid and authorize you to drive these categories of vehicles.

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

• a truck or heavy vehicle combination
• an emergency vehicle
• a bus
• a minibus
• a taxi or a vehicle comparable to a taxi
  • Your principal place of residence is in Québec.
  • You have the right to stay in Canada for longer than six months.

To drive these vehicles, you must obtain a Québec licence of the appropriate class. Depending on the category of vehicle you wish to drive, you may have to take a training course and pass proficiency tests.

If you are a temporary foreign worker, you are considered a new resident if you meet the following two criteria:

We highly recommend that you start the process of obtaining a Québec driver's licence before the end of the six-month period.

You hold a Québec driver’s licence

Before leaving Canada, you must check to see whether the country to which you are travelling requires an international driving permit.

If you are required to hold an international driving permit, you must apply for one with CAA-Québec⁠ ⁠. An international driving permit is valid for one year.

Find out about the country's driving rules: traffic laws, right- or left-hand drive, etc.