In Canada, driver's licences are issued to drivers by each individual province or territory in which the driver is residing. All provinces and territories within Canada mutually recognize driver's licences from other provinces and territories for identification and driving status. They are also recognized throughout the United States for similar purposes. Canadian driver's licences can be used internationally, however some countries require a supplemental International Driving Permit for further legitimacy.
The American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators provides a standard for the design of driving permits and identification cards in the United States and Canada. The newest card design standard released is the 2025 AAMVA DL/ID Card Design Standard (CDS). The AAMVA standard generally follows part 1 and part 2 of ISO/IEC 18013-1 (ISO compliant driving licence). The ISO standard in turn specifies requirements for a card that is aligned with the UN Conventions on Road Traffic, namely the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic and the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic.
Age of eligibility Canada's driving age is determined on a province-by-province basis. The age to begin driving varies by province, with the earliest being Alberta at 14 years of age. The provinces use a graduated driver licensing (GDL) system for a standard car and light-truck licence to ensure the proficiency of drivers.
The driving age in the various Canadian provinces is as follows:
+ Driving age by province Province Standard age for learner's permit Standard age for restricted licence Minimum age for restricted licence (with driver education) Standard age for full licence Notes Alberta14161618 Drivers may be eligible to reduce their two year probationary period by up to six months by completing a Class 5 or Class 6 driver training program from a driver training school licensed by the Alberta government. Upon completion of the Class 5 probationary period, drivers will automatically have their licence upgraded to the full, non-GDL Class 5 licence. British Columbia16171719Restricted licence stage can be shortened from two years to one year and six months if driver goes through an accredited driver education program. Manitoba1616 years 9 months16 years 3 months18Learner's permit can be acquired at 15 years and 6 months, and restricted licence at 16 years and 3 months, if student uses an accredited high school driver education program. New Brunswick161716 years 8 months18Restricted licence can be acquired in 8 months (so 16 years, 8 months) if driver uses an accredited driver education program. Newfoundland and Labrador161716 years 8 months18Restricted licence can be acquired in 8 months (so 16 years, 8 months) if driver uses an accredited driver education program. Nova Scotia1616 years 3 months16 years 3 months19 Driver education is mandatory. If a new driver completes the long course, they can take the road test and obtain their restricted licence after 3 months (16 years, 3 months). If they complete the short course, they must wait 6 months (so 16 years, 6 months) to be eligible for a restricted licence. Ontario161716 years 8 months18Restricted licence can be acquired in 8 months (so 16 years, 8 months) if driver goes to accredited driver education program. This reduces age for full licence to 17 and 8 months old. Prince Edward Island161716 years 9 months19Restricted licence can be acquired in 9 months (so 16 years, 9 months) if driver uses an accredited driver education program. Saskatchewan1616 years 9 months1618Driver education is mandatory. Learner's permit can be acquired at 15 years of age, and restricted licence at 16 years of age, if student uses an accredited high school driver education program. Québec16171719 Driver education is mandatory.
+ Driving age by territory Territory Standard age for learner's permit Standard age for restricted licence Standard age for full licence Notes Yukon151617 years 6 monthsManual and road laws partly derived from British Columbia. Northwest Territories151617Manual and road laws partly derived from Alberta. Nunavut151618Manual and road laws derived from federal guidelines. Restricted licence allows a driver to drive only within Nunavut.
Standard data field labelling Except for licences issued in Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan, and the DND 404 licence issued by the Department of National Defence, each data field on the licence is labelled with a number. This is required by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators' design standard. The AAMVA standard generally follows part 1 and part 2 of ISO/IEC 18013-1 (ISO compliant driving licence). The ISO standard in turn specifies requirements for a card that is aligned with the UN Conventions on Road Traffic, namely the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic and the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic.
surname other names date of birth a) date of issue, b) date of expiry, c) (not used), d) different number from the one under heading 5, for administrative purposes licence number photograph of holder signature of holder address licence categories (9a is used for endorsements) (not used) (not used) restrictions (not used) (not used) sex height weight eye colour hair colour
Some fields are optional. For example, some provinces omit some or all of these fields: 4d, 17, 18, and 19.
Provinces Alberta Class 7 (Learner): This permit can be obtained at 14 years of age, and can only be used when a non-probationary licensed driver (Class 5 or above; see below) over the age of 18 accompanies the driver. The fully licensed driver must be sitting in the front passenger seat. A computerized knowledge test requiring a mark of at least 83.3% as well as a vision test must be passed to obtain this licence. Restrictions on the Class 7 licence include zero blood alcohol content while driving and the inability to drive between midnight and 5 am. Class 7 drivers may operate mopeds without an accompanying driver. A consent form must be signed by a parent or guardian for an applicant under the age of 18. Class 6 (Motorcycle): This permit allows an operator to drive a motorcycle without a supervising rider. The minimum age to obtain this licence is 16. A Class 7 licence must have been held for one year before it is possible to apply for a Class 6 licence. A learner holding a Class 7 licence must not drive a motorcycle during the night (defined as one hour after sunset, until 5 am or one hour before sunrise, whichever is later). Learners with a Class 7 or Class 5 Probationary licence may not operate (or sit on) a motorcycle with a blood alcohol content greater than zero. Learners with a Class 5 (non-probationary) or higher licence (Class 1, 2, 3, or 4) have no restrictions except that a supervising rider must be present. Class 5-GDL (Probationary): This licence can be obtained once a driver has held a Class 7 licence (Learner's Permit) for at least one year without suspension. In addition, the driver must be 16 years of age before he or she may apply for this licence. This licence allows one to drive without an accompanying fully licensed driver. However, this licence has more restrictions than a non-probationary licence. Fewer demerit points are allowed and drivers must have zero blood alcohol content while driving. A probationary licence does not qualify the licence-holder to serve as an accompanying driver for a Class 7 driver. A basic road test is required to obtain this licence. Class 5 (Full, Non-GDL Driver's Licence): This licence can be obtained after having held the Class 5 Probationary licence for two years without suspension. The minimum age to obtain this licence is 18. An advanced road test is no longer required as of April 1, 2023 to obtain this licence. A driver automatically is eligible for the Class 5 licence so long as they have no demerits or suspensions in the last year preceding their eligibility. If the driver has demerits or suspensions, they must wait another year before becoming eligible for their Class 5 licence. A driver with this licence is referred to as a "fully licensed driver". Class 4: This permit allows the operator to drive a taxi, ambulance, or bus with seats for up to 24 passengers. Class 3: This permit allows an operator to drive a motor vehicle with 3 or more axles, or a motor vehicle with 3 or more axles pulling a trailer with one or more axles (assuming the trailer does not have air brakes). Class 2: This permit allows an operator to operate any bus, in addition to the vehicles permitted by holders of Class 3/4/5 licences. Class 1: This permit allows an operator to operate any motor vehicle except a motorcycle (as motorcycles always require the Class 6 licence specifically).
Drivers upgrading to a Class 1, 2, 3, or 4 licence must possess a Class 5 (non-probationary) licence and be at least 18 years of age to apply.
Endorsement Air brakes: Air brake endorsements are required for any driver of a vehicle with an air-only braking system or a combination air and hydraulic braking system. Any driver in Alberta may obtain an air brake endorsement after completing an approved air brake course, which includes a practical exam, and writing the written knowledge test at the registry. On all classes, except Class 1, the endorsement is represented as a "Q" on the licence. It is not shown on the Class 1 licence because all Class 1 drivers licensed in Alberta are required to have attended an approved air brake course; a Class 1 operator's licence cannot be obtained without it. The written knowledge test for Class 1 can be taken prior to having attended an air brake course; however, driver training can not commence until after the course is completed. Transportation of dangerous goods: TDG is not an endorsement placed on an operator licence, but rather is required training received generally from the employer for anyone who offers for transport, transports, or handles dangerous goods. Both employees and self-employed persons must have a dangerous goods training certificate to transport dangerous goods. It is employer-offered due to the wide variety of dangerous goods that may be transported, so the training is employer and commodity specific.
British Columbia Class 8L (Motorcycle Learner's Permit): This permit can be first obtained at age 16, just as the Class 7L. There are many restrictions until the rider passes a "Motorcycle Skills Test", which is conducted on a parking lot and involves basic manoeuvring skills. After this test, the rider can ride alone, with much fewer restrictions. Class 7L (Learner's Permit): This permit can first be obtained at age 16, and requires a person under the age of 19 to obtain consent from a parent or legal guardian. To obtain this permit, one must take a knowledge test, which requires 80% to pass. A person holding this licence must be accompanied by a fully licensed driver over 25. They may have one additional passenger besides the supervisor. The driver must maintain a blood-alcohol count of zero (i.e. none in their blood), display a large 'L' decal on the back of their vehicle, have no more than two passengers (including the supervisor), and must not drive between 12AM and 5AM. Use of electronic devices is prohibited. The 7L licence is good for two years. After 12 months, the driver may take a 35-minute driving test to advance to the next level.