An appointment is needed if you have moved to the province and need a driver’s licence exchanged.
New Residents
You must exchange your existing driver’s licence to a Newfoundland and Labrador driver’s licence within three months of becoming a resident. Licences from another country or province must be submitted when you apply for your Newfoundland and Labrador licence. However, a certified copy of the original licence can be provided to you upon request. These out of province licences must be returned to the issuing jurisdiction (or are destroyed at their request).
Canada
Drivers from another province or territory can exchange their existing licence for a Newfoundland and Labrador driver’s licence without taking a written, vision or road test.
The following criteria must be met.
- you are 17 years of age;
- your existing licence is valid, non-expired (not suspended, cancelled or revoked);
- you have the required identification documentation;
- If you are 16 years of age; and
- present a valid driver’s licence from a Graduated Driver Licensing Program, you will be placed in Class 5, Level I
- have taken an approved driver education course, you will be given a four-month credit and, upon reaching 16 years and eight months, you will be placed in Class 5, Level II
- have not taken a driver education course, you will remain at Level I until age 17, upon which you will graduate to a Class 5, Level II licence, where road test is not required since you would have already passed a road test in another jurisdiction that is recognized in this Province.
Other licenced drivers residing in the province will have their experience rated against the Newfoundland and Labrador system and will be placed in the appropriate phase. Age, driving experience and class of licence currently held will determine placement.
If you are exchanging a commercial driver’s licence (Class 1-4) you will also be required to complete a Routine Medical Form. This is required to ensure you meet the medical standards for commercial drivers.
Note: Drivers exchanging a Class 1 commercial licence with less than two years driving experience in a Class 1 vehicle must provide proof of completion of a Class 1 Entry Level Training program Commercial Driver Training – Digital Government and Service NL.
United States
People taking up residence from the United States can exchange their existing licence for a Newfoundland and Labrador driver’s licence without taking a written, vision or road test.
The following criteria must be met.
- you are 17 years of age;
- you present the required identification documents;
- your existing licence is valid, non-expired (not suspended, cancelled or revoked);
- If you are 16 years of age; and
- present a valid driver’s licence from a Graduated Driver Licensing Program, you will be placed in Class 5, Level I
- have taken an approved driver education course, you will be given a four-month credit and, upon reaching 16 years and eight months, you will be placed in Class 5, Level II
- have not taken a driver education course, you will remain at Level I until age 17, upon which you will graduate to a Class 5, Level II licence, where road test is not required since you would have already passed a road test in another jurisdiction that is recognized in this Province.
If you are exchanging a commercial driver’s licence (Class 1-4) you will also be required to complete a medical report. Medical forms are available at Motor Registration offices
Note: Drivers exchanging a Class 1 commercial licence with less than two years driving experience in a Class 1 vehicle must provide proof of completion of a Class 1 Entry Level Training program Commercial Driver Training – Digital Government and Service NL.
Countries with Reciprocity Agreements
The Province of Newfoundland and Labrador allow for exchange of the class of licence as indicated:
| Class 5 (Passenger Vehicle /Light Trucks) Only | Class 5 (Passenger Vehicle /Light Trucks) & Class 6 (Motorcycle) |
| Germany Austria Switzerland United Kingdom Republic of Korea Ukraine Denmark |
France Isle of Man Northern Ireland Ireland Japan Taiwan Belgium |
People taking up residence in Newfoundland and Labrador from these countries can exchange their existing licence for a Newfoundland and Labrador driver’s licence without taking a written, vision or road test.
The following criteria must be met.
- you are 17 years of age;
- you present the required identification documents;
- your existing licence is valid, non-expired (not suspended, cancelled or revoked);
- you are 16 years of age; and
- present a valid driver’s licence from a Graduated Driver Licensing Program, you will be placed in Class 5, Level I
- have taken an approved driver education course, you will be given a four-month credit and, upon reaching 16 years and eight months, you will be placed in Class 5, Level II
- have not taken a driver education course, you will remain at Level I until age 17, upon which you will graduate to a Class 5, Level II licence, where road test is not required since you would have already passed a road test in another jurisdiction that is recognized in this Province.
Note: Drivers exchanging their foreign Driver’s licence are not eligible to transfer their commercial driving credentials. However, if you provide a drivers abstract with your foreign driver’s licence you will be given credit for your non-commercial driving experience and therefore may apply for a commercial class of licence immediately. The mandatory prerequisites for the class of commercial licence requested must be completed prior to the issuing of a commercial driver’s licence.
Countries without Reciprocity Agreements
People taking up residence in Newfoundland and Labrador from all other countries must:
- Be at least 16 years of age
- Present the required identification documents
- Successfully complete a written, vision and road test
- Be placed in the Graduated Driver’s Licence Program
Note: Individuals with a valid foreign Driver’s Licence are eligible for exemption from the Graduated Driver’s Licence Program’s mandatory wait period between Class 5i and Class 5ii Graduated Driver Licencing Program – Digital Government and Service NL. This exemption will only be authorized when you surrender your valid foreign Driver’s Licence in exchange for a Newfoundland and Labrador Class 5i permit. Individuals who refuse to surrender their valid foreign Driver’s Licence must complete the full Graduated Driver’s Licence Program including all required wait periods prior to being eligible for a Class 5 road test.
Identification Requirements
Those moving to Newfoundland and Labrador, who originate from outside of Canada and applying for a learner’s permit or a driver’s licence, must provide proof of legal presence in Canada.
- One primary proof of legal presence and one secondary, or
- Two primary documents; one of which must be primary proof of legal presence.
- Please refer to Required Identification Documentation.
Translation Requirements
Please view translation requirements on this page.
Visitors
Visitors to the province can drive for up to three months without getting a Newfoundland and Labrador driver’s licence if:
- you are at least 16 years of age, and
- you hold a valid driver’s licence in another province.
Proof of Address
The following documents are acceptable as proof of address and must contain your full name and address:
- Utility bills, no older than two months (e.g. phone, internet/cable, electricity, etc.)
- Bank statements/void cheque (with address)
- Mortgage documents
- Personal taxes (filed in the previous year)
- Property tax bill
- Residential lease/rental agreement (must be completed and signed by landlord and tenant)
- Employment Insurance or Income Support Program documents
- Employment confirmation or pay stub
- Canada Child Benefit (CCB) documents
If one of these documents are not available, a Guarantor Application may be accepted. Please contact mrd@gov.nl.ca or 1-877-636-6867 for more information.