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AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSION
OTTAWA
MEDIA RELEASE
AUSTRALIAN DRIVERS' LICENCES NOW RECOGNISED IN ONTARIO
25 January 2010
From 25 January 2010 Australians living in Ontario will be able to simply exchange their Australian driver’s license for an Ontario license, without having to undergo a driving test.
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Australia confirming the recognition of Australian driver’s licenses by the Government of Ontario.
Click to read the Ontario Ministry of Transportation’s official media release.
The new MoU allows drivers from Australia to exchange their Class C driver’s licence for an Ontario Class G licence if they have 24 months or more of licensed driving experience in the last three years, or an Ontario Class G2 licence if they have fewer than 24 months of driving experience. As well, drivers from Australia can exchange their valid Class R motorcycle licence for an Ontario Class M motorcycle licence, subject to driving experience.
Australians can exchange an out-of-province driver’s licence at one of the DriveTest Centres located throughout Ontario. Applicants need to show identification (e.g. passport), proof of licensed driving experience (e.g. a driver abstract from their home country) and also meet vision and medical standards, pay any fees that may be prescribed and surrender their Australian licence.
The Australian Government is seeking to conclude similar agreements on the recognition of driver’s licenses with other Canadian jurisdictions provinces. Such agreements are valuable in facilitating the two way movement of skilled personnel between Australia and Canada and promoting commercial links.
Driver’s licenses from all Canadian provinces and territories have been fully recognised in all Australian jurisdictions for some time.