What is a Driver’s Licence? 

A driver’s licence is a government-issued identification document that provides more than documenting your ability to drive. It also serves as a valid identification when applying to numerous organizations, as it documents your full legal name, date of birth, photo and signature. 


In Canada, your driver’s licence can also:

  • Serve as identification when buying alcohol, cigarettes, or marijuana
  • Help emergency officials identify you if have been involved in an accident
  • Let medical professionals know if you are an organ donor
  • Serve alongside your vessel licence (ex. Motorcycle licence, commercial driver's licence, boat licence)


What is an International Driving Permit of a driver’s licence?

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a special driver's licence that allows licensed motorists to drive in other countries without further tests or applications. This permit is proof that the holder possesses a valid driver's licence in their country of residence. The IDP also provides additional photo identification and includes a multilingual translation driver’s licence. It is important to carry this permit along with a valid driving licence at all times when driving. 


If you are visiting Canada for less than 90 days, and wish to drive during that time, you are permitted to do so with your valid driver’s licence and do not need to have an IDP. If you plan to stay for more than 90 days, you will require an IDP from your own country. Keep in mind that you must have this permit with you when you arrive in Ontario. You cannot apply for one once you are here.


Also, the IDP is primarily used by visitors to Ontario so if you plan on living in Ontario (ex. Applied for refugee status, permanent residency, citizenship, etc.), you need to get a driver's licence in your province of residency within 60 days of moving. If you are a temporary resident, such as a foreign student or foreign worker, you might be considered a resident and need to get an Ontario driver's licence. Please contact the Ministry of Transportation for more information about your situation.


Only certain organizations are authorized to sell the International Driver's Permit. For example, in Canada, only the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) can issue IDPs, and the application fee is only C$15. It is a good idea to check with the government department of transportation before you pay for an IDP to make sure you are getting the correct, official document.


Can I exchange my foreign driver’s licence for a licence in a Canadian province?

You can exchange an out-of-province licence for a licence from a specific Canadian province if you are relocating from:

  • any Canadian province or territory
  • Canadian Armed Forces
  • United States
  • Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, the Isle of Man, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Switzerland, Taiwan


If you are unable to exchange your foreign driver’s licence, you need to obtain one in the province in which you reside. The process to get a driver’s licence in Canada depends on the province or territory where you live and on your driving background.

It may include:

  • a written exam on the rules of the road (you can get a study guide to help with this)
  • one or two driving tests


For example: If you have a valid driver’s licence from Italy, you must have it translated into English or French before applying for the written exam. Once you have successfully passed the written portion, you will need to take the road test to begin driving. Fortunately, individuals who possess a valid licence from another country can immediately apply to take the road test, unlike new drivers who have to wait 8-12 months. 


Why do I need a certified translation of my driver’s licence?

A driver’s licence is considered an acceptable valid identity document, meaning it was issued by a federal, provincial, territorial or state government authority, is not expired, and includes your name, date of birth, photo and signature. 


If your driver’s licence is from a country where English or French is not the official language, you will need to have your driver’s licence translated by a certified translator. You will need a certified translation of your driver’s licence because most institutions, if not all, that require you to present your driver’s licence are formal institutions (ex. Government institutions, legal services, educational institutions, etc.). These institutions require the most accurate translation available and the best way to ensure that is to obtain certified translations. 


Langia offers certified translation services of driver’s licence in 107 languages into English or French. You can upload your driver’s licence by clicking the link below.


How can I get my driver’s licence translated?

A driver’s licence is almost always used for legal purposes, which is why it must be translated by a certified translator. A certified translator is a unique and reserved title for individuals who have qualified and registered with the association of translators in their state or province (ex. ATIO, ATIA, STIBC, ATA) and subscribed to the association's code of professional ethics.  


Read our blog to learn more about the different types of certifications available in translation services.


On the rare occasion that a certified translator is not available (ex. There are no certified translators for a specific language combination), an affidavit of translation or a notarized translation may be accepted by most institutions. However, make sure to contact the institution to which you will submit the translated documents to ensure your translations will be accepted if they cannot be completed by a certified translator.  


How can I send my driver’s licence to a translator?

A driver’s licence is a vital record that proves your identity and is among the list of documents necessary for a refugee, immigration or citizenship application. If your documents are not in English or French, you will have to produce what is called a certified translation of all of these documents, in order to provide an English or French version of the documents involved. 


To get your driver’s licence translated into English or French, you can :


  • Send the hard copy of your driver’s licence to a translator or translation agency. However, this option may be risky because the document can end up in the wrong hands or get lost on the way.  
  • Email the translator or the translation agency a scan of the original copy of your document. While this option is safer and much more efficient than sending a hard copy document, it still requires a lot of back and forth between you and the translator or agent, if working with a translation agency. 
  • Upload your driver’s licence on the Langia app or website. This is the most efficient and secure way to send your documents to a translator. There are no third-party operators that look over your personal documents, no back and forth emails that could take hours or days to conclude. 


With the Langia app, all you have to do is upload your driver’s licence and select when you wish to have the translator complete your document. With this information, you will be able to see the cost of the project. All you have to do next is select a translator to complete your request. No unnecessary dialogue, confidentiality or security issues, or unresponsive translators and agencies. 


How much does a certified translation of a driver’s licence cost?

A certified translation of a driver’s licence can cost anywhere between CAD$125-200 depending on various factors including turnaround time, the rarity of the language, certification, and location.  


Average translation agencies require you to email a scanned copy of your driver’s licence before they can provide a quote. They may even require back and forth communication via email before they accurately determine the exact price. 


Lucky for you, unnecessary communication is in the past with Langia. Now you can instantly upload your driver’s licence on the Langia website or app and select a few essential details about your project (ex. due date, certification, source and target language) to immediately see the price. The best part is that you get to decide the due date and time. So, if you need to have your driver’s licence translated by the end of today, then that is what you shall have! No more back and forth emails with numerous parties to simply get the price of your birth certificate. 


With Langia, it takes less time to submit a document for translation than to get a quote from an average translation agency or professional translator. 


Upload your driver’s licence now to instantly get a quote!


Where can I find Driver's Licence translation services near me?

Almost all translators and translation agencies provide online services. Although a hard-copy may be required in rare cases, the interaction between a customer and translator or agency almost always takes place online. The internet brings together customers and translators across the globe and provides a medium in which they can work together despite physical boundaries. 


For example, if you live in Toronto and require an essay to be translated from English to Hindi, you can find hundreds of translators within Canada and thousands across the world. Although it may be compelling to work with a translator who charges thirteen cents per word, it may not always be the smartest option. 


With any translation service provider, quality must always be your top priority. This is especially important if you require certified translations. As a resident of Toronto, you can work with translators certified by other provinces within Canada, such as ATIA (The Association of Translators and Interpreters of Alberta) or STIBC (Society of Translators and Interpreters of British Columbia). Translators living in another county (except the USA), however, are not accepted as certified translators in Canada, meaning the work that they do will also not be accepted as a certified translation.  


Langia provides professional translation services throughout Canada. You can get your driver’s licence translated in Toronto, Ontario without hassle.


If you wish to get your driver’s licence translated by a certified translator in your province, click the link below to upload your document and instantly receive a free quote. Once you enter the details of your document (ex. source and target language, due date, certification), you can select a certified translator who will have your document ready by the turnaround time.