Licensing & Laws
Driving is a privilege, not a right. To earn this privileged – and keep it- drivers are required to be licensed by their provincial or territorial licensing authority and obey traffic laws.
Licensing Authorities
In Canada, issuing drivers’ licenses is a provincial/territorial responsibility.
For more information on licensing where you live, visit the website of your provincial or territorial licensing authority/ click on your province:
Yukon Highways and Public Works >>
Northwest Territories Transportation >>
Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) >>
Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) >>
Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) >>
Ontario Ministry of Transportation >>
Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec >>
New Brunswick Department of Public Safety >>
Prince Edward Island Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal >>
Nova Scotia Registry of Motor Vehicles >>
Services Newfoundland and Labrador >>
Laws
While each province and territory has its own traffic laws, they are similar across Canada. Police enforce laws related to:
- Seat belt use
- Cell phone use
- Driving while intoxicated
- Speeding
- Driver’s license restrictions
Breaking these laws can lead to fines and license suspensions-including losing your license outright. If required by police to pull over, be sure to:
- Immediately pull over to a safe location
- Present your driver’s license, vehicle registration and insurance
- Cooperate and be respectful
- Talk to your parent about what happened
If you are accused of a serious traffic law violation, you may be required to appear in court. Traffic law violations involving teens are dealt with seriously and could lead to:
- Fines
- Lawyer’s fees and other court costs
- Insurance rate increases
- Suspended or revoked driving privileges
- A criminal record