Ontario has motorcycle licence exchange agreements with several provinces, states, and countries. If you are an experienced motorcyclist from one of these jurisdictions, you may be eligible to do a licence exchange for an Ontario Class M licence.
Licence Exchanges – Motorcycles
Licence Exchanges – Motorcycles
The type of motorcycle licence you receive in exchange can vary. For example:
• If you have been legally driving a regular motorcycle (Class M equivalent) for two or more years, you will receive a regular Class M licence with no conditions.
• If you do not have at least two years of motorcycle driving experience (Class M equivalent), you may receive a Class M2 licence and have limited driving privileges.
• If you drive a limited speed motorcycle or moped with a limit of 70 km/hour, you may receive a Class M with a condition L. However, please note that an exchange for an M(L) driver’s licence is currently available only to applicants from Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, PEI, and Quebec.
• If you drive a three-wheeled motorcycle and come from Quebec, you may receive a Class M with a condition 1.
Eligibility differs based on your driving history, vehicle, and place of origin. Providing original, appropriate documentation and identification is important for completing the licence exchange.
If you have a licence from a country that does not have a licence exchange agreement with Ontario, you may be eligible to receive credit for your foreign driving experience. However, you are still required to pass all applicable tests to earn your Ontario driver’s licence. In some cases, a letter of authentication is required from the jurisdiction. The letter must contain specific features and details related to your licensing experience in order to be accepted.
Some of this documentation may take several weeks, or even months, to obtain. Gather this documentation before you move to Ontario or initiate the process as soon as you arrive.
Note:
The application process varies for those pursuing a car, motorcycle, or commercial licence:
Canadian and Foreign Licence Applications and Exchanges – Overview
Licence Exchanges for Drivers of Cars, Vans, and Small Trucks
Countries with Exchange Agreements for Motorcycles
Jurisdictions with a licence exchange agreement with Ontario, as well as the documentation requirements for each of those locations, follow. These licence exchange agreements are related to driving motorcycles, mopeds, or scooters. There are different agreements and requirements for those who drive cars, small trucks, vans, and commercial vehicles.
If you do not see your country in this list, you must apply for a new motorcycle licence and complete all steps of the graduated licensing program (although you may get credit for previous driving experience).
Canadian Provinces and Territories; Canadian Forces Europe
Documentation requirements (in English or French):
• Current, valid full class driver’s licence with documentation to satisfy both data elements (legal name, complete date of birth).
• Your current licence must be surrendered.
United States: District of Columbia, Florida, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, Ohio, Vermont, and Washington
Documentation requirements (in English or French):
• Current, valid full class driver’s licence with documentation to satisfy both data elements (legal name, complete date of birth).
• Driving abstract dated within the last 6 months. The driving abstract must be original and must indicate the date the licence was first issued. Photocopies are not acceptable. Electronic driver abstracts (e.g. obtained or transmitted by email, facsimile, or downloaded from licensing jurisdiction website) are acceptable provided they contain the driver’s full name or driver’s licence number, and the following must be contained on either the driver’s licence or the abstract: letterhead, logo, emblem, or coat of arms of the issuing government body or licensing authority; date first licensed; date of birth; licence class(es); licence status; expiry date; and date the abstract was issued.
• Your current licence must be surrendered.
United States: All U.S. States Not Listed Above
Documentation requirements (in English or French):
• Current, valid full class driver’s licence with documentation to satisfy both data elements (legal name, complete date of birth).
• An interprovincial record exchange (IRE) search is mandatory for all applicants from these states and may present a delay in processing an exchange if the search is unsuccessful. A DriveTest employee will conduct the IRE search. However, we recommend that you obtain a driving record (dated within 6 months of your application and indicating the date the licence was first issued) to prevent any delays in processing. The driving record must be an original. Electronic driver abstracts (e.g. obtained or transmitted by email, facsimile, or downloaded from licensing jurisdiction website) are acceptable provided they contain the driver’s full name or driver’s licence number, and the following must be contained on either the driver’s licence or the abstract: letterhead, logo, emblem, or coat of arms of the issuing government body or licensing authority; date first licensed; date of birth; licence class(es); licence status; expiry date; and date the abstract was issued.
• Your licence must be surrendered.
Australia
Documentation requirements (in English or French):
• Current, valid full class driver’s licence with documentation to satisfy both data elements (legal name, complete date of birth).
• Original abstract from your jurisdiction dated within 6 months to complete the exchange. Some abstracts may be subject to approval before the exchange can take place, and this approval process may not be immediate.
• Drivers from Australia (including Victoria and Tasmania) must provide an original abstract/letter, dated within the last 6 months, which contains all of the following features: letterhead, logo, emblem, or coat of arms of the issuing government body or licensing authority; date first licensed; name and date of birth; driver’s licence number; licence class(es); licence status; expiry date; and the date the abstract was issued. Photocopies are not acceptable. Electronic driver abstracts (e.g. obtained or transmitted by email, facsimile, or downloaded from licensing jurisdiction website) are acceptable provided they contain the driver’s full name or driver’s licence number, and the following must be contained on either the driver’s licence or the abstract: letterhead, logo, emblem, or coat of arms of the issuing government body or licensing authority; date first licensed; date of birth; licence class(es); licence status; expiry date; and date the abstract was issued.
• Your current licence must be surrendered.
Northern Ireland
Documentation requirements (in English or French):
• Current, valid full class driver’s licence with documentation to satisfy both data elements (legal name, complete date of birth).
• Driving abstract dated within 6 months preceding the date of application for an Ontario driver’s licence. The driving abstract must be original and must indicate the date the licence was first issued. Photocopies are not acceptable. Electronic driver abstracts (e.g. obtained or transmitted by email, facsimile, or downloaded from licensing jurisdiction website) are acceptable provided they contain the driver’s full name or driver’s licence number, and the following must be contained on either the driver’s licence or the abstract: letterhead, logo, emblem, or coat of arms of the issuing government body or licensing authority; date first licensed; date of birth; licence class(es); licence status; expiry date; and date the abstract was issued.
• A ‘Certificate of Entitlement’ issued by the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) is required.
• Your current licence must be surrendered.
Switzerland
Documentation requirements (in English or French):
• Current, valid full class driver’s licence with documentation to satisfy both data elements (legal name, complete date of birth).
• Your current licence must be surrendered.
Exchanges and Driving Experience
Anyone from one of the jurisdictions above looking to exchange their licence must complete a vision test. A road test may also be required, depending on the amount of driving experience.
Class M Equivalent Driving Experience: Less Than 2 Years in the Last 3 Years
- Exchange your licence for an Ontario Class M2 licence.
- Pass a road test after you have gained a total of two years of driving experience to earn a full Class M licence.
- Present a valid driver’s licence, or one that has been expired for less than one year.
- If indicated in the list above, provide a driver’s history or abstract to confirm the status of your licence and length of driving experience.
Class M Equivalent Driving Experience: More Than 2 Years in the Last 3 Years
- Exchange your licence for a full Ontario Class M licence, or one with an appropriate condition (L or M).
- No road test is required.
- Present a valid driver’s licence, or one that has been expired for less than one year.
- If indicated in the list above, provide a driver’s history or abstract to confirm the status of your licence and length of driving experience.
Process for Exchanging Your Motorcycle Licence
Steps vary depending on your circumstances. The process, at a high level, follows.
- Gather the required documentation and identification for your licence exchange.
You must bring acceptable ID as well as any documentation listed above. Some of this documentation may take several weeks, or even months, to obtain. You must present your valid driver’s licence. You can use Canadian and U.S. driver’s licences as proof of driving experience. We can accept an expired licence as long as it has not been expired for over one year. If the licence has been expired over one year, you must enter the graduated licensing system; however, you may be credited for driving experience gained within the past three years. - Apply for a driver’s licence at a DriveTest Centre.
You must bring your acceptable ID and complete an application form while you are there. - Successfully complete a vision test at the DriveTest Centre.
Make sure to bring any corrective lenses with you to the DriveTest Centre. - Pay the applicable fees at a DriveTest Centre.
Fees are set by the Ministry of Transportation and are subject to change. Fees can be paid by cash, credit card (VISA, MasterCard, or American Express), debit card, certified business cheque, certified personal cheque, bank draft or money order (each made payable to Serco Canada Inc.), or traveller’s cheque (Canadian or American).Please note that, if required, retests and subsequent attempts will incur additional charges. - Obtain your temporary driver’s licence from an agent at a DriveTest Centre.
Once you have met the requirements, you will receive a temporary paper driver’s licence and must surrender your old licence. Your new, official, plastic Ontario licence photo card will come in the mail.
