Driving in Ontario on a foreign licence: visitors and new residents (2026)
According to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, checked on 31 October 2026, visitors need a valid licence from home and an international driver’s permit if they visit Ontario for more than 3 months, and new residents can use their licence for 60 days before they need an Ontario licence.
These rules differ from place to place, and they change. We quote the official pages word for word, with the date we checked them; this is information, not legal advice. Car rental companies and insurers can ask for more than the law, for example an international driving permit or a translation: ask them before you book.
At a glance
| Visitors | No time limit stated; an IDP is needed if you visit for more than 3 months |
|---|---|
| New residents | 60 days, then an Ontario licence |
| IDP and translation | IDP needed for visits of more than 3 months; certified translation to exchange a licence not in English or French |
| UK licence, exchange without tests | Yes (Great Britain and Northern Ireland are on the list) |
| US licence, exchange without tests | Yes (U.S. states, not U.S. territories) |
| Checked | 31 October 2026 |
What the official sources say
Visitors and tourists
Visitors to Ontario: must be at least 16 years old must have a valid driver’s licence from your home province, state or country must have an international driver’s permit from your own country if visiting Ontario for more than 3 months are not eligible for an Ontario driver’s licence
Source: Official MTO Driver's Handbook: Getting your driver's licence (Ontario Ministry of Transportation), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
If you move there
If you have just become an Ontario resident, you have 60 days to continue to use your existing driver’s licence and apply for an Ontario driver’s licence.
Source: Official MTO Driver's Handbook: Getting your driver's licence (Ontario Ministry of Transportation), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
When you move to Ontario, you can use a valid licence from another province, state or country for 60 days. After 60 days, you need to switch to an Ontario driver’s licence.
Source: Ontario.ca: Exchange an out-of-province driver's licence (Ontario Ministry of Transportation), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
International driving permit and translation
An out-of-province or foreign driver’s licence needs to: be valid display a visible expiry date be written in either English or French. If it is not, you need to get it translated by a certified translator.
Source: Ontario.ca: Exchange an out-of-province driver's licence (Ontario Ministry of Transportation), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Exchanging your licence
You can exchange an out-of-province licence for an Ontario licence, if you are re-locating from: any Canadian province or territory Canadian Armed Forces U.S. States (does not include U.S. protectorates or U.S. territories) Australia, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Denmark, the Isle of Man, Japan, South Korea, Kosovo, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Switzerland, Taiwan or Ukraine
If your existing licence is from a jurisdiction that does not have a driver’s licence exchange agreement with Ontario you will need to: successfully complete the vision test, knowledge test and G2 road test wait at least 12 months before attempting the G road test successfully complete the G road test
Source: Ontario.ca: Exchange an out-of-province driver's licence (Ontario Ministry of Transportation), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Hire a car in Ontario
Hiring a car in Ontario? Compare rental companies and prices on DiscoverCars. Check the licence rules above before you book: the rental company can ask for more than the law, such as an IDP or a translation.
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Visiting Canada?
Driving in Canada, do you need an international driving permit? UK licence · Australian licence
Other provinces and territories in Canada
Canada, Australia and New Zealand: every province, state and territory in one table
Questions
Can I drive in Ontario with a UK licence?
As a visitor, yes, with a valid licence. The Ontario Driver’s Handbook lists what visitors need: “Visitors to Ontario: must be at least 16 years old must have a valid driver’s licence from your home province, state or country must have an international driver’s permit from your own country if visiting Ontario for more than 3 months are not eligible for an Ontario driver’s licence” If you move to Ontario, Great Britain and Northern Ireland are on Ontario’s licence exchange list.
Can I drive in Ontario with a foreign licence after I move there?
“When you move to Ontario, you can use a valid licence from another province, state or country for 60 days. After 60 days, you need to switch to an Ontario driver’s licence.”
Do I need an international driving permit in Ontario?
Only for longer visits, according to the Ontario Driver’s Handbook: “Visitors to Ontario: must be at least 16 years old must have a valid driver’s licence from your home province, state or country must have an international driver’s permit from your own country if visiting Ontario for more than 3 months are not eligible for an Ontario driver’s licence”
Is this legal advice for driving in Ontario?
No. We quote the Ontario Ministry of Transportation word for word, as read on 31 October 2026. Rules change, and car rental companies and insurers can ask for more than the law: check with them and with the official page before you drive.
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