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