New residents who wish to drive in Saskatchewan must get a Saskatchewan driver's licence for either of the following - whichever comes 1st:
- within 90 days of moving to the province; or
- upon expiry of your out-of-province licence
Check with your previous jurisdiction as they may have some restrictions that supersede this requirement.
Note: Once you get your Saskatchewan licence, your old licence is void and cannot be used.
Applying for a Saskatchewan driver's licence
You can apply for a Saskatchewan driver's licence at any motor licence issuer if you hold a valid driver's licence from:
- another Canadian jurisdiction
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- France
- Germany
- Isle of Man
- Japan
- Jersey
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Republic of Ireland
- South Korea1
- Switzerland
- the United Kingdom
- the United States
When you apply, you'll be required to:
- surrender your out-of-province driver's licence
- pay applicable driver's licence fees
- provide proof of residency and entitlement to be in Canada
- provide proof of your driving experience2
Application requirements
You must provide identification from the list of acceptable documents that proves:
- your identity
- your Saskatchewan residency
- you’re entitled to be in Canada
These requirements align Saskatchewan with North American standards. Verifying identity, residency and entitlement to be in Canada before we issue a driver’s licence helps to protect everyone in Saskatchewan from identity theft. It also ensures that Saskatchewan driver’s licences are issued only to those who are legally in our country, whether as citizens or visitors.
Proof of driving experience
You can provide proof of driving experience in the form of a driver abstract.
If you would like to see if you qualify for a discount with the Safe Driver Recognition program, you will require a claims history letter from your previous auto insurer.
Unless you can prove more than 2 years driving experience (other than as a learner) in your previous jurisdiction, you'll be considered a new driver. New drivers will be entered into the appropriate stage of the Graduated Driver's Licensing program, determined by the length of driving experience from the previous jurisdiction.
Learning period and education requirement
Regardless of driving experience, you may only be eligible for a graduated driver's licence. However, the Graduated Driver's Licensing program learning period and education requirement may be waived if you:
- prove more than 2 years of driving experience
- prove more than 2 years of full Class 5 (or equivalent) driving experience
If your licence is not written in French or English, we recommend an International Driving Permit. This permit is something you get before you leave your home country. If you don't have an International Driving Permit, you should have an official translation of your out of country driver's licence completed (by either the Open Door Society or a Professional Entity) and carry this translation with you in the event you are asked to produce proof of driving authority by a peace officer in Saskatchewan.
- Including the provinces of Gangwon-do, Gyeonggi-do, Seoul Chungcheongbuk-do, Chungcheongnam-do, Gyeonsangbuk-do, Jeollabuk-do, and Jeollanam-do.
Note: some variation of the spelling of these provinces does occur, particularly the 'J' to 'CH' and dropping the 'e'. This does not include North Korea.
- Proof in the form of a driver's abstract or history, or letter from the country/jurisdiction identifying when you were first licensed to drive and that the licence is currently valid. The document must be dated within 30 days of your arrival in Canada.
