Are you a teen, itching to get behind the wheel? Did your parents tell you the legal driving age is 21 because they don’t want you behind the wheel? The truth is, you can get your learner’s permit at age 16 in most Canadian provinces. Each province has its own graduated licensing system and requirements. Keep reading to learn more!
Legal driving age by province in Canada
The age at which you may start the driving process varies from province to province in Canada, and all provinces have a graduated licensing system.
What does this mean? Basically, you must start with a learner’s permit and you can only drive when accompanied by someone with a full license. After the learner’s permit, you graduate to a licence with conditions. That means you may drive alone, but there are restrictions, such as where and when you can drive. Finally, you graduate to a full licence with no restrictions – full freedom!
Details including eligible age, tests required and length of time in each phase of the graduated licensing system vary across Canada, as outlined in the table below:
| Province |
Age for learner’s permit |
Length of time to get a full licence |
| Newfoundland |
16 |
24 months (20 if you take a driving course) |
| PEI |
16 |
12 months |
| Nova Scotia |
16 |
3 years |
| New Brunswick |
16 |
12 months (8 if you take a driving course) |
| Quebec |
16 (you can start taking driving lessons at 15) |
24 months to get a probationary licence, plus two years of minor restrictions |
| Ontario |
16 |
20 months |
| Manitoba |
16 (or 15 years and six months if enrolled through a school driving course) |
24 months, plus 3 years of additional minor restrictions |
| Saskatchewan |
16 |
27 months |
| Alberta |
14 |
3 years |
| British Columbia |
16 |
25 months |
Quick tip: If you’re getting behind the wheel for the first time, check out our ultimate guide for first-time drivers!
Legal driving age in Newfoundland and Labrador
Drivers must wait until they’re 16 years old to drive in Newfoundland and Labrador and follow these steps:
- Obtain a learner’s permit and become a Novice Learner. When driving in this stage, you must be accompanied by a fully licenced driver.
- After 12 months with a learner’s permit and successfully passing a driving test, you graduate as a Novice, licenced Driver, and you can drive alone with restrictions (You can take the test after eight months if you complete a driving course).
- After 12 months with a novice licence, you can take another road test to get a full licence.
Legal driving age in Prince Edward Island
To start driving in Prince Edward Island you must be at least 16 years old which has three stages in their graduated licensing program. You'll also need the following:
- Instruction Driver’s Permit.
- Conditional licence.
- Second stage of conditional licence.
Legal driving age in Nova Scotia
You can start driving when you’re 16 years old in Nova Scotia, which has three stages in its graduated licensing system:
- Learner’s licence.
- Newly licenced driver’s licence.
- Restricted individual phase.
After two years in the restricted individual phase, the driver is considered a fully experienced driver.
Legal driving age in New Brunswick
In New Brunswick, you can get your learner’s permit when you are 14 years old – if you are driving a tractor! If you want to drive a passenger vehicle, you must wait until you’re 16. New Brunswick only has two stages in their graduated licensing system:
- Learner’s permit.
- Full licence.
You must have your learner’s permit for 12 months before you take a test to obtain your full licence or eight months if you take a driving course.
Legal driving age in Quebec
The legal driving age in Quebec is 16, and you must register for a driving course before you can get your learner’s permit. There are four stages to getting your licence in Quebec:
- Sign up for a driving course.
- Get your learner’s licence.
- Probationary licence.
- Full licence.
Legal driving age in Ontario
Ontario has a graduated licensing system, and you can get your learning permit at the age of 16. There are three levels in Ontario:
Level 1: G1 licence
You can get your G1 licence, which allows you to learn to drive when you’re 16. You must pass a knowledge and vision test.
Level 2: G2
To get your G2, you must have your G1 for at least a year, and you must pass a driving test.
Level 3: G
After 12 months with a G2 licence, you are eligible for a G licence. You must pass another road test and be comfortable driving on highways with speed limits of at least 80 km/h.
Legal driving age in Manitoba
You must be 16 to start driving in Manitoba. If you are registered in Manitoba’s high school driver program, you can start driving at age 15 and a half. There are three stages in Manitoba’s system:
- Learner stage.
- Intermediate stage.
- Full stage.
Legal driving age in Saskatchewan
You must be 16 to start driving in Saskatchewan. The province has six stages in their graduated licensing program:
- Get a learner’s licence (must be at least 16 years old).
- Complete driver’s education.
- Get a Novice 1 licence.
- Practice as a Novice 1.
- Practice as Novice 2.
- Graduate to experienced Class 5 driver.
Legal driving age in Alberta
In Alberta, you must be 14 to get a learner’s driver’s licence. It takes a minimum of three years to get your full licence, and there are three stages:
Stage 1: Learner
To get your learner’s driver’s licence, you must be at least 14 years old, and you need the consent of your parent or guardian if you’re under 18. You also need to pass a knowledge and vision test.
Stage 2: Probationary
To get your probationary licence in Alberta, you must be at least 16 years old. If you’re under 18, you need parental or guardian consent. Before you can graduate to the probationary phase, you must have your learner’s licence for 12 months. You also need to pass a basic driving test.
Stage 3: Full licence
To get your full licence in Alberta, you must be in the probationary stage for two years. You must have no licence suspensions during the last 12 months of the probationary stage. You also have to pass an advanced road test.
Legal driving age in British Columbia
There are three steps you need to take to get your licence in British Columbia’s graduated licensing system:
Get your learner’s licence
To get this licence, you need to take a knowledge and vision test. You must be at least 16 years old, and you’ll need permission from your parents or guardians if you’re under 19.
Get your novice licence
Once you’ve had your learner’s licence for a year in British Columbia, you can get your novice licence by passing a road test.
Get your full licence
After you’ve had your novice licence for at least 24 months, you can graduate to a full licence by passing another road test.
Car insurance for young drivers
To operate a motor vehicle in Canada, regardless of what driver's licence you hold, requires you to purchase a car insurance plan. Driving without car insurance is a serious crime and can lead to numerous consequences.
So what insurance plans are available, and is driving a parent's car without insurance legal? The short answer is yes; adding a driver to insurance that your parents or guardian already have is possible. To be added to this insurance, you'll require parental consent and the following information:
- Your legal name.
- Your date of birth.
- Your gender.
- Driver’s licence number.
- The date you received your valid driver's licence.
- Your insurance history (if applicable).
- Driving history records.
Contact BrokerLink for more information on your first car insurance policy.
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As a student, what auto insurance do I need?
As we briefly mentioned, auto insurance is federally mandated throughout Canada, no matter how experienced you are a driver, or which province or territory you live in. Therefore, if you've purchased your own car, buying student car insurance is the next step required before you're able to get on the road with your motor vehicle. Here's a breakdown of the mandatory and optional coverage policies when it comes to car insurance for students:
Third party liability coverage
Third party liability insurance is what is considered basic auto coverage in Canada. It is a required policy for all drivers who wish to operate a motor vehicle on public roads. Essentially, this insurance provides policyholders with coverage in the event they cause property damage or physical injuries to a third-party while they are driving.
Each province and territory is responsible for setting a minimum coverage limit. For example, the minimum requirement in Ontario is $200,000, while the minimum in Nova Scotia is $500,000. While these minimums are in place to ensure all drivers have some sort of coverage, most opt for higher limits, which can go up to 1 million, as it offers more peace of mind while on the road.
Now, let's say you get into an accident that causes property damage to another vehicle and its driver. In this scenario, your third-party liability insurance would kick in and provide coverage for any repair costs, medical expenses, and legal fees in the event that you are sued by a third party.
When purchasing third-party liability, make sure you know the coverage limits required in your province or territory and consider purchasing a higher limit if possible.
Uninsured automobile coverage
Another mandatory insurance policy required for all driver's licence holders in Canada, with the exception of those in Alberta is uninsured automobile coverage. This insurance provides policyholders and their passengers with protection in the event they are involved in an accident with another driver who is uninsured or underinsured. It also offers protection against hit-and-run accidents.
Aspects covered under uninsured automobile insurance include repair costs to your vehicle, emergency services (if they are called to the scene), and medical expenses that may incur in the future.
Accident benefits
Accident benefits is also mandatory for all driver's licence holders behind the wheel and provides coverage to policyholders and their passengers in the event they are injured in an accident, regardless of who is found at fault.
With accident benefits, you'll receive coverage for medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and income replacement. Depending on your insurance company, funeral expenses and caregiver fees may also be covered up to a certain amount.
Overall, the goal of this insurance is to aid Canadians as they heal from an accident without having to worry about associated costs that have accumulated as a result of the incident.
Direct compensation-property damage coverage
Direct compensation-property damage is another mandatory policy, but only in some provinces and territories, such as Ontario. Direct compensation-property damage will cover the cost of repairs, replacements, and medical costs in the event you are involved in an accident where you are found not at fault.
To ensure that you are able to receive compensation from your accident claim as quickly as possible, this policy allows you to deal directly with your own insurance company rather than having to communicate with the third-party provider.
Comprehensive car insurance
Moving on to optional insurance policies, you may want to consider comprehensive car coverage. Comprehensive insurance protects your vehicle in the event that it is damaged by a non-collision event. For example, if a tree falls on your car during a storm, is vandalized while parked in a public parking lot, or is stolen out of your driveway, your comprehensive policy will pay for any repair work or replacements needed for your vehicle.
It's important to note that comprehensive insurance requires the policyholder to pay a deductible before their insurance kicks in. A deductible is a pre-set amount that is selected at the time you purchase your insurance coverage and can range between $500 to $1000, depending on the insurance provider you have.
Collision auto coverage
Collision car insurance provides coverage to recreational vehicles in the event they are involved in a collision that causes damage, regardless of who is found at fault. Coverage typically encompasses accidents with other drivers and accidents involving objects.
For example, if you accidentally hit a cinder block while you are parking your vehicle and damage is caused to your bumper, you are then able to file an insurance claim with your company for repairs. Note that like comprehensive insurance coverage, collision also requires policyholder's to pay a deductible before their insurance company will pay for the repairs.
As a rule of thumb, while choosing a higher deductible can help you save money on your monthly premiums, it's important that you choose an amount that you can comfortably afford out of pocket in the event you do need to file an insurance claim under your collision auto policy.
Accident forgiveness
Lastly, we have accident forgiveness, which if you're new to obtaining a driver's licence and insurance, can be extremely beneficial to you. Typically, when you're involved in an at-fault accident, your insurance premiums will increase, which can put financial strain on most drivers. But, with accident forgiveness, you can avoid a premium hike for your first at-fault accident.
It's important to keep in mind that this is a one-time policy, meaning in the event you are involved in an at-fault accident, any collision afterwards will result in a premium increase. However, if you purchase this policy and maintain a clean driving record, you could be covered for numerous years until an incident occurs.
Do you have any questions regarding
insurance for young drivers? Reach out to an experienced broker from BrokerLink, today.
How to save on young drivers insurance?
The truth of the matter is that new drivers with little to no experience operating a motor vehicle will face more expensive insurance premiums than those with an unrestricted licence and responsible driving history. This is because those between the ages of 16 and 25 are more likely to be in a car accident, meaning it will cost your insurance company more money to insure you.
While there is the option for learner drivers to have coverage under their parent's plan, it doesn't apply to you if you're buying a car in university. To help you save as much money as possible on your insurance coverage, here are some tips you can use to save on your premium:
- Enrol in a recognized driver education to progress into a non-probationary licenced driver quicker and be eligible for insurance discounts.
- You can also increase your deductible amount. Just keep in mind that you'll need to pay more out of pocket if you file an insurance claim.
- Maintain a clear driving record by practicing safe driving habits like staying off your electronic devices, following the rules of the road, and being cautious at all times.
Get the right insurance with BrokerLink
Whether you’re a new driver getting their first insurance policy or an experienced driver, BrokerLink can help you get the right insurance and answer questions like what the difference is between a primary vs. secondary driver.
Contact one of our local branch offices today or get an insurance quote online. No matter which way you choose to work with us, we’ll help you find the right coverage for your needs and give you more young drivers insurance information.
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FAQs on legal driving age in Canada
What is the youngest legal driving age in Canada?
While the minimum age requirements to get your learner's licence vary between Canadian provinces, the minimum driving age in Alberta is 14. At this age, you are able to take your knowledge test, which then provides you with a learner's permit.
Can a 17-year-old drive a motor vehicle alone in Ontario?
Yes, a 17-year-old can drive a recreational vehicle alone in Ontario, provided that they have a G2 vehicle licence. Keep in mind that a G2 licence still has restrictions while driving, including having zero blood alcohol and THC levels and ensuring every passenger in your car is wearing a seatbelt. Additionally, you can only carry one other passenger who is 19 or under between 12 am and 5 am for the first 6 months of your G2 licence.
Do the territories require learner drivers licences?
Yes, the minimum age to obtain a learner's permit is 15 in the Northwest Territories, the Yukon, and Nunavut. Driver's will need to have their learner's permit licence for at least one year. At the age of 16, young drivers in the Northwest territories, Yukon, and Nunavut are able to take a driving test (road test) and receive restricted driver's licences.
Do I need parental or guardian consent to get a driver's licence?
Yes, while age requirements exist before you are able to get a driver's licence in Canada, teens will also need parental consent to write their knowledge test during their learner's stage. Parental consent is also needed before getting behind the wheel of a vehicle and a fully licenced driver must be in the passenger seat at all times.
How can I get over the fear of driving unsupervised?
Getting over the fear of driving can seem like an uphill battle, which is why a Ministry approved driver education and a training program may be beneficial. These courses are meant to teach you how to avoid getting into a car accident, how to master nighttime driving, what to do in certain scenarios, and how to feel more confident behind the wheel.
Check out our first-time driver guide for more information you may find helpful.
Is there a minimum age to obtain a motorcycle learner licence?
Driver's licences for motorcycles are similar to that of a motor vehicle. The minimum age to obtain a learner's permit is 16. Once you have passed a knowledge test, you need to pass a motorcycle skills road safety test, which can be taken 30 days after your knowledge test. After passing the motorcycle test and having your L for at least 12 months, you can get your full licence.
If you have any questions, contact one of our local branches.
