Car Training – In-classroom and On-road Training
Throughout Canada, license classes vary from province to province. To get licensed to drive a car you need to be at least 16 years of age. There are stages to a full license to drive a car and these also vary between provinces.
Car Training – Province-Wise Car License Requirements
British Columbia – Car License Requirements
At the minimum age of 16, a person can get their Class 7L (learner’s permit). This allows the driver to begin training to drive a vehicle. With this license, they must always be accompanied by a licensed driver who is 25 years of age or older.
A minimum of one year later, a driver can test to obtain their Class 7 license. These drivers must place an N decal on their cars to show they are novices. There is a variety of driving restrictions with an “N” Class 7 license including the number of passengers. Once a driver has met the qualifications, they can test for their class 5 full vehicle license allows them to drive without restrictions.
Alberta – Car License Requirements
At the minimum age of 14, a person can test to obtain their Class 7 Learner’s permit. This license allows them to practice driving with a licensed driver who is over the age of 18.
At the minimum age of 16, and if the driver has held their Class 7 for a minimum of one year, a driver can take a road test to obtain their Class 5 Probationary license. This license has a number of restrictions in place while the driver obtains experience. After a minimum of two years without suspension, a driver can test to obtain their Class 5 Non-probationary license.
Saskatchewan – Car License Requirements
At the minimum age of 15 with parent approval and enrolment in a high school driver education program, an individual can test for their Class 7 driver’s license. For those not registered in a high school driving program, a person needs to be a minimum age of 16 and have parental approval for this license class. The minimum to obtain a class 5 license is to be 16 years old with parental approval and have held their Class 7 for a minimum of 9 months.
Manitoba – Car License Requirements
In Manitoba, an individual can test for their Class 5L Learner’s Vehicle License at the age of 15.5 if entered into high school driver’s education or 16 if not.
With this license, it is required they have a front-seat passenger who has held a full license for a minimum of 3 years. After holding a Class 5L for at least 9 months, an individual can apply for a Class 5I Intermediate Vehicle License. 15 months after holding a Class 5I, an individual can go for their class 5F full vehicle license.
Ontario – Car License Requirements
In Ontario, at the minimum age of 16, an individual can test for their Learner’s permit G1 license. 8 months later if the driver has completed and passed an approved driver’s training course, or 12 months if not, the driver can test for their G2 probationary license. 1 year later they can test for their Class G full license.
Quebec – Car License Requirements
At the minimum age of 16, residents of Quebec can test for their Class 5 probationary license. 24 months later they can test to obtain their full Class 5.
New Brunswick – Car License Requirements
Residents of New Brunswick must be at least 16 years of age to test for their Level 1 license. This level takes 24 months to complete before applying for Level II.
Nova Scotia – Car License Requirements
In Nova Scotia, a driver must be at least 16 years of age to apply for the Learner’s Stage of their graduated licensing program for Class 7 and 8 licenses. This stage lasts for a minimum of three months with an approved driver’s education program or six months without.
Prince Edward Island – Car License Requirements
At a minimum of 16 years of age, an individual can apply for an Instruction Permit. If an individual takes an approved driving training program they can take their first road test 275 days later. Without taking an approved driver’s education program, one cannot take the road test for 265 days.
Newfoundland & Labrador – Car License Requirements
At the minimum age of 16, individuals can test for their Class 5 vehicle learner’s license. At the age of 17, they can test for their full license.
