Driving

Driving rules in Canada vary by province — including how (and whether) your foreign driver’s license is recognized, the grace period before you’re required to convert, and the road test requirements if your home country isn’t on the reciprocal exchange list. Get it wrong and your insurance may not cover an accident; get it right and you can be driving legally within days of landing.

This section covers the practical realities of driving as a Canadian newcomer: the Ontario driver’s license process (the most common destination for newcomers), how to drive on a US license and when you need to convert, what to know before buying your first car in Canada, what to do if you’re in a collision, and the realities of driving cross-country in Canadian winter. If you’re driving from the US into Canada specifically, we have a dedicated guide for that too.