• 4 min read

New to Nunavut? How to Exchange Your Foreign Driver's Licence

Welcome to Nunavut! As you begin your new life in Canada's North, one of the most important administrative tasks is securing a Nunavut driver's licence. The process, handled by the Motor Vehicles Division, is a requirement for all new residents. This guide will walk you through every step of exchanging your out-of-country or out-of-province licence.

The 90-Day Rule for New Residents

When you establish residency in Nunavut, you can use your valid driver's licence from your previous home jurisdiction for a maximum of 90 days. After this 90-day grace period, your old licence is no longer valid for driving in Nunavut, and you must hold a local licence.

Understanding Nunavut's Reciprocal Licence Exchange

The process for exchanging your licence depends entirely on your country of origin. Nunavut, like other Canadian jurisdictions, has reciprocal agreements with a specific list of countries. This makes the process much simpler for eligible drivers.

Tier 1: Reciprocal Countries (No Testing Required)

If you hold a valid, non-learner licence from one of the following countries, you can directly exchange it for a full Nunavut Class 5 licence without taking a written knowledge test or a practical road test. You will still be required to pass a vision test.

Reciprocal Countries & Jurisdictions Include:

  • Any other province or territory in Canada
  • United States
  • Austria
  • Australia
  • Belgium
  • France
  • Germany
  • Ireland
  • Isle of Man
  • Japan
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • South Korea
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan
  • United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)

To get a full Class 5 licence, you must prove you have at least two years of driving experience. If you have less than two years of documented experience, you will be placed into Nunavut's Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program.

Tier 2: Non-Reciprocal Countries (Testing Required)

If your driver's licence is from a country not on the reciprocal list (e.g., India, Philippines, China, Brazil, Nigeria, etc.), you must apply as a new driver and pass all required tests to get a Nunavut licence.

Process for Non-Reciprocal Licence Holders:

  1. You must first pass a vision test and a written knowledge test.
  2. After passing the knowledge test, you will be issued a Class 7 Learner's Licence.
  3. You must then take and pass a Class 5 road test.
  4. Your previous driving experience is still valuable. If you can provide an official driving record (abstract) showing two or more years of experience, you may be exempt from the one-year waiting period in the GDL program, allowing you to take your road test sooner.

Step-by-Step Guide to Exchanging Your Licence

Follow these steps for a smooth process at a Motor Vehicles Division office.

Step 1: Gather Your Required Documents & Translations

This is the most critical part of the process. All documents must be original.

Documentation Checklist for All Applicants:

  1. Your Original Foreign Driver's Licence: You must surrender your valid, unexpired licence.
  2. Official Translation: If your licence or other documents are not in English or French, you must provide a certified translation from an approved source.
  3. Proof of Identity: You need original identification that proves your legal name and date of birth. A valid Passport is the most common and accepted document.
  4. Proof of Legal Presence in Canada: You must show you are legally entitled to be in Canada (e.g., Canadian Birth Certificate, Permanent Resident (PR) Card, Work Permit, Study Permit).
  5. Proof of Nunavut Residency: You need a document proving you live in Nunavut. Examples include:
    • A utility bill
    • A signed lease or rental agreement
    • A letter from an employer on company letterhead
  6. Official Driving Record/Abstract (Highly Recommended): This is a letter from the licensing authority in your home country that confirms your licence class, issue date, and driving history. It is essential for getting credit for your driving experience. This must also be translated if not in English.

Step 2: Visit a Motor Vehicles Division Office

You must apply in person. Issuing offices are located in various communities across Nunavut.

Step 3: At the Motor Vehicles Division Office

  • An agent will review all your original documents and translations.
  • You will be asked to complete a driver's licence application form and declare any medical conditions.
  • You will take a vision screening test.
  • You will have your photograph taken.
  • You will pay the required fees for the licence exchange and any tests.
  • You will surrender your foreign driver's licence.

Step 4: Testing (If Required)

  • If you are from a non-reciprocal country, you will take the computer-based knowledge test.
  • After passing the knowledge test, you can book your Class 5 road test.

Step 5: Receive Your Licence

After completing all requirements, you will be given a temporary paper driver's licence. Your permanent photo licence card will be mailed to your Nunavut address.

Exchanging your licence is a key part of settling into the North. By preparing your documents meticulously, you can make your trip to the Motor Vehicles Division a success.