What changed
Ontario's "Exchange an out-of-province driver's licence" page was updated on September 14, 2026. Compared with the previous version, no substantive provisions were added or removed. The changes are textual: a spelling error was corrected (Ukrainee to Ukraine), an extra space was removed (after "certified translator"), and the page's updated date at the bottom changed from September 11, 2026 to September 14, 2026.
The provision on crediting foreign driving experience is unchanged and still states it takes effect July 1, 2026.
What the official text says
> Effective July 1, 2026, you can can obtain credit for up to one year of driving experience, by showing a valid, original foreign driver’s licence and authentication document.
The page also states the authentication document must be an official letter from the foreign government or agency that issued the driver's licence, confirm that the licence is authentic, and be written in English or French.
The page gives an example: if the foreign driver's licence was issued 6 months before applying for an Ontario licence, but the applicant has more than 6 months of total driving experience in that jurisdiction, an acceptable letter of authentication must be provided to receive credit for the full driving experience, up to a maximum of 12 months.
If the existing licence is from a jurisdiction that does not have a driver's licence exchange agreement with Ontario, the page states the applicant needs to: successfully complete the vision test, knowledge test and G2 road test; wait at least 12 months before attempting the G road test; and successfully complete the G road test.
The page also states translations must be done by a certified translator and must be current, dated within six months of applying for an Ontario licence. Approved translators listed include non-Canadian embassies, consulates, or a high commissioner's office, but do not include other translators from the country where the licence was issued. Translators must provide proof of credentials and are qualified for clients in all Ontario regions if they meet one of these requirements: they have credentials proving they are or have been employed in translation services; they are or have been a member of a professional association that provides translation services (such as ATIO, the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario); or they are a clergy member with experience as a translator.
Who is affected
New immigrants in Ontario who hold a foreign driver's licence from a country that does not have a licence exchange agreement with Ontario. The page states that licences from any Canadian province or territory, the Canadian Armed Forces, U.S. states (not including U.S. protectorates or U.S. territories), as well as Australia, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Denmark, the Isle of Man, Japan, South Korea, Kosovo, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Switzerland, Taiwan or Ukraine can be exchanged directly.
From when
The effective date for the foreign driving experience credit provision is July 1, 2026, as stated on the page. The official page does not state an effective date for this round of textual corrections and the updated date change.
Official source
https://www.ontario.ca/page/exchange-out-province-drivers-licence
Send this page