How to Get a Driver's Licence in Canada

There are two important steps to make in order to obtain a driving licence in Canada: sit the two eligibility tests.

It is worth mentioning that the country does not have a federal authority that issues driving licences. Instead, the provincial governments in Canada are in charge of issuing driving licences and handling motor vehicles’ registration.

The applicants for a Canadian driving licence should sit two eligibility tests, the first one assessing their knowledge of the road safety regulations (G1 level), testing their eyesight and the second one is the road test.

Knowledge tests, also known as practical driving tests or simply road tests, are designed as to determine whether or not the applicant understands the road signs and the other traffic regulations and assess his or her driving skills. On the first stage of the road test (G2 level), the applicants for a Canadian driving licence are tested on their basic driving skills. After 1 year of possessing the G2 licence a driver can take an additional road test that deals with more complicated driving techniques. After that the driver if fully licenced (G level).

As to the organization and the implementation of the road test, the drivers’ licensing systems in Canada and the European Union are quite different: while in most EU member states it is a responsibility of the driving school to provide the test vehicle, the applicants for a Canadian driving licence are required to provide a vehicle of the appropriate class for their road test, when they feel ready to sit it. The examiner may stop or refuse to start the test upon his or her discretion for one of the following reasons: if the applicant’s vehicle has some technical flaws that prevent it from working properly or if its licence plate validation has expired, the test might be over before it started. Second, the test will not take place or will be discontinued if the examiner finds out during or before the test that the candidate driver is under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substances or if the examiner considers that the applicant’s driving skills are unsatisfactory. If you fail the test, you can make another appointment in 10 days.

It is best to arrive half an hour before the scheduled appointment so that you pay your road test fee. If you arrive late for the test, you risk having it canceled and loosing the test fee. Do not bring other passengers or your pets with you on the test.

The legal age for single driving in Canada is sixteen years, although one is allowed to start attending a driving course from the age of fourteen. New drivers are required to have minimum one year of driving experience under the supervision of a senior driver.