• Daily Life
• Transportation
• Driver's Licence

How do I apply for a driver's licence? What documents do I need?

To apply for a driver's licence, you need to show approved identity documents. Go to a Driver Examination Centre and you have to pay a fee.

You also need to fill out an application form. You can get the application form at a Driver Examination Centre. The application form is not available online.

Acceptable Identity Documents

You have to show proof of your:

• Legal name
• Date of birth - including day, month, year of birth

You must use original documents, not photocopies. The documents must be valid, not expired.

Here are some acceptable identity documents. You can show 1 of these documents to meet the requirements:

Canadian Citizens

• Passport (Canadian or foreign)
• Canadian Citizenship Card with photo
• Ontario Photo Card

Permanent Residents

• Permanent Resident (PR) Card
• Record of Landing (IMM 1000)
• Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292)
• Ontario Photo Card

Temporary Residents

• Study Permit / Student Authorization (IMM 1442)
• Work Permit / Employment Authorization (IMM 1442)
• Visitor Record (IMM 1442)
• Temporary Resident Permit (IMM 1442)
• Refugee Status Claim (IMM 1434)
• Acknowledgement of Intent to Claim Refugee Status (IMM 7703) with photo
• Report Pursuant to the Immigration Act (IMM 1442) with a photo
• Ontario Photo Card

If you don't have one of these documents, you will be required to show 2 documents; see a complete list of documents that you can use.

Where to Apply

Take your identity documents to a Driver Examination Centre near you.

Fees

You have to pay fees to apply for a licence, to write the knowledge test and to take a road test.

See a list of fees on the DriveTest website.

For More Information

• Driver Examination Centres - You can take written tests and driving tests at these centres. From the DriveTest website.
• Driver and Vehicle Licence Offices - You can renew your driver's licence, change your address or other information on your licence, get a driver's handbook and get other routine services at these offices.
• Driver's Handbook Online - The official guide to the rules of the road, safe driving practices and how to get your licence to drive a car, van or small truck. From the Ministry of Transportation.
• Out-of-Country Drivers - Information on how to get an Ontario licence if you have had a driver's licence before but are not eligible for a licence exchange. From the DriveTest website.
• Get a G driver’s licence: new drivers - As a new driver, you will need to practice driving and gain experience over time. For most people, the two-step process takes about 20 months to finish. From the Ministry of Transportation.