Last Updated On 27 December 2025, 8:28 AM EST (Toronto Time)
The Ontario government is tightening driver’s licence eligibility rules in one of the most significant transportation policy shifts in recent years.
Through the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act (Bill 60), introduced on October 23, 2025 received royal assent on November 27, 2025, the province aims to link driving licence access directly to residency, immigration status, and legal work authorization.
This is Ontario’s move to strengthen road safety, protect families, and support honest drivers.
The bill’s Schedule 5 (Highway Traffic Act amendments) grants the Minister of Transportation new powers to verify an applicant’s visa, work permit, or residency before issuing or renewing a licence.
It also empowers the government to restrict visitors from obtaining commercial licences and to end automatic foreign-licence recognition from non-reciprocal countries.
Together, these measures will redefine who can drive—and especially who can drive professionally—in Ontario.
Table of Contents
🔍 What the Government Announced
Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Transportation Hardeep Grewal summarized the reform on social media and in public remarks:
Grewal’s statement, made on October 23, clarifies the intent behind the bill: to close loopholes that allow unqualified or short-term visitors to obtain commercial licences and to ensure all professional drivers demonstrate both legal status and verified Canadian experience.
🧾 Inside Bill 60 — The Legal Backbone
The Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act (Bill 60) is broad legislation addressing multiple sectors, but Schedule 5 specifically amends the Highway Traffic Act (HTA).
It adds a new section 5.5, titled “Requirements for Applicant”, which legally authorizes the Ministry of Transportation to demand immigration-related proof before issuing or renewing a licence.
Section 5.5(1) — Key Clauses
The Minister may require, as a condition for considering an application for the issuance or renewal of, or any change to, a licence, permit or certificate under this Act, that the applicant… provide evidence satisfactory to the Minister that:
(a) the person is a resident of Ontario;
(b) the person’s presence in Canada is in accordance with the laws governing a person’s legal presence; and
(c) for prescribed licence classes or vehicles, the person is legally able to work in Canada as a holder and driver of that class.
This language effectively gives the Minister the discretion to refuse applications if a person cannot prove legal presence or work eligibility.
You may also like: Ontario Orders An Unlicensed Consultant To Pay $66,000 In Penalty
🇨🇦 The Four Major Ontario Driving License Changes Explained
1. Visa and Work Permit Verification for All Applicants
For the first time, Ontario’s licensing system will formally require proof of legal immigration status.
That means:
- Applicants must show they are lawfully in Canada (citizen, permanent resident, or holder of a valid work/study permit).
- The Ministry can cross-check immigration documents against federal databases.
- Applications may be paused or rejected if verification fails.
Impact:
This ensures that only individuals who have legal authorization to live — and in some cases, work — in Canada can hold or renew a driver’s licence.
It closes loopholes where temporary visitors or out-of-status individuals could previously apply.
2. Visitors Barred from Obtaining Commercial Driver’s Licences
Under current practice, some temporary visitors could obtain commercial licences (Class A or D) if they met testing criteria. The new rule explicitly bans this.
Only those with valid work authorization — such as open work permits, employer-specific permits, or permanent residency — will be eligible for commercial classes.
Impact:
This restriction prevents short-term visitors from entering Ontario’s trucking workforce without immigration clearance.
It also helps protect licensed drivers from unfair competition by unverified or untrained operators.
3. Ending Automatic Recognition of Foreign Licences from Non-Reciprocal Countries
Ontario currently has reciprocal agreements with certain countries (e.g., U.S., U.K., France, Japan, South Korea) allowing straightforward licence exchanges.
Under the new framework, automatic conversion will end for licences issued by countries that do not have formal reciprocity.
Applicants from those jurisdictions will need to:
- Pass Ontario’s written and road tests,
- Provide certified translations and proof of driving history, and
- Possibly meet immigration verification requirements before licensing.
Impact:
This move ensures that Ontario maintains control over driver-training standards and reduces risks from unverified or counterfeit foreign licences.
4. One Year of Canadian Driving Experience Before a Class A Licence
Ontario will soon require drivers to complete one full year of Canadian driving experience before being eligible for a Class A licence — the licence needed for tractor-trailers and large trucks.
Impact:
- New arrivals must first gain experience driving smaller vehicles under Ontario conditions.
- Employers will need to adjust recruitment timelines for new international drivers.
- It raises the professional bar for entry into trucking, which is often used as a quick-employment path for newcomers.
This provision aims to improve road safety by ensuring that commercial drivers understand local traffic laws, winter-driving conditions, and vehicle-inspection standards before handling heavy freight.
🧠 Why Ontario Is Making These Changes
Transportation officials cite a combination of road-safety, fraud-prevention, and fairness motives:
- Curbing Licence Fraud
Ontario has faced isolated cases of fraudulent foreign-licence exchanges and fake documentation. Verifying immigration and work status adds another layer of authentication. - Protecting Jobs for Legitimate Workers
Ensuring that only legally employable drivers hold commercial licences prevents misuse of the system and supports compliant employers. - Strengthening Road Safety
Newcomers with minimal exposure to Canadian weather or highway conditions will gain valuable experience before driving large trucks. - Aligning with Immigration Integrity
The province’s approach complements federal efforts to ensure that employment in safety-sensitive sectors aligns with valid work authorization.
👥 Who Will Be Most Affected
1. Newcomers and Temporary Residents
Those on study or work permits must now maintain valid documentation when applying for or renewing any driver’s licence.
Visitors will be ineligible for commercial licences.
Tip: Keep digital and printed copies of all immigration documents ready for verification.
2. Trucking and Logistics Industry
Ontario’s $12-billion trucking industry relies heavily on immigrant labour. Employers and training schools must adapt:
- Expect longer lead times before new drivers qualify for Class A.
- Verify employees’ work authorization to comply with new rules.
- Adjust recruitment and onboarding strategies accordingly.
3. Driver-Training Schools
Institutions offering MELT (Mandatory Entry-Level Training) will need to confirm students’ legal status and eligibility to work before enrollment.
This could tighten admissions and increase administrative oversight.
4. Municipal Governments
Bill 60 also restricts municipalities from arbitrarily removing traffic lanes, linking transportation efficiency with safety.
Municipalities will be reimbursed for lane adjustments linked to provincial mandates — signalling that transportation reform is now part of a wider infrastructure-safety agenda.
📅 When Will These Rules Take Effect?
Bill 60 is currently before the Ontario Legislative Assembly.
Once it passes Second and Third Reading and receives Royal Assent, the driving-licence provisions will come into effect either:
- Immediately upon Royal Assent, or
- On a date set by regulation through an Order-in-Council.
Based on standard timelines, implementation could begin in early 2026, with transitional measures for current licence-holders and ongoing applicants.
📊 Old vs New Licence Rules — At a Glance
| Category | Current Rule (2025) | New Rule Under Bill 60 |
|---|---|---|
| Immigration Status | Applicants only show ID and proof of residence | Must prove legal status in Canada and, for certain classes, ability to work |
| Visitors | Eligible for commercial licences if they pass tests | No longer eligible for commercial driver’s licences |
| Foreign-Licence Recognition | Automatic for reciprocal and some non-reciprocal countries | Automatic only for reciprocal countries |
| Class A Licence | Granted after MELT training and testing | Requires one year of Canadian driving experience before application |
| Fraud Checks | Basic ID verification | Immigration and work-permit cross-verification added |
💬 Reactions and Industry Feedback
Supporters Applaud “Common-Sense Changes”
Supporters of the bill — including safety advocates and trucking associations — say the new verification rules will protect the integrity of the licensing system.
“Verifying work permits and ensuring real Canadian experience before handling 18-wheelers is basic common sense,” said one Ontario road-safety advocate. “It protects both the public and legitimate operators.”
Some Express Concerns About Labour Shortages
Industry voices warn that tighter eligibility could worsen Ontario’s ongoing truck-driver shortage, currently estimated at over 20,000 positions.
However, the government maintains that safety outweighs speed, emphasizing that drivers must meet consistent standards rather than take shortcuts that risk public safety.
Immigrant Advocacy Perspective
Newcomer organizations generally support the focus on safety but urge clear communication to prevent confusion.
“The key is education — newcomers must understand the new process early,” said a settlement-agency spokesperson. “Transparency will prevent frustration and misinformation.”
⚙️ Implementation: What Applicants Should Expect
1. Proof of Residency
Applicants must show official documents confirming Ontario residency — such as a lease, utility bill, or bank statement.
2. Proof of Legal Status in Canada
Applicants must provide one of the following:
- Canadian passport or birth certificate
- Permanent Resident (PR) card
- Valid work permit or study permit
- Confirmation of Status or refugee document
3. Proof of Work Eligibility (Commercial Licences)
Applicants for Class A, D, C, or B licences must demonstrate that their immigration status legally allows them to work in Canada.
Those on visitor status will not qualify.
4. Verification Process
MTO will verify documents, possibly cross-checking with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Incomplete or expired permits may lead to rejection.
5. Testing and Experience
Applicants for Class A must log at least 12 months of driving experience under a valid Canadian (Class G or equivalent) licence before applying for training and testing.
Ontario’s new driver-licence rules mark a turning point in how the province connects immigration status, work authorization, and road safety.
By requiring verified legal status, ending visitor-licence loopholes, and demanding a year of Canadian experience before truckers get a Class A licence, Ontario is setting a national precedent for safety and accountability.
For newcomers and employers alike, the message is clear: Driving in Ontario is a privilege tied to both skill and lawful presence.
As Bill 60 progresses residents, drivers, and businesses should prepare for implementation — because the era of stronger rules and safer roads is about to begin.
🧭 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Will existing licence-holders in Ontario be affected?
Existing drivers in Ontario are not expected to lose their licences, but they may face immigration-status checks upon renewal or upgrade.
Do study-permit holders qualify?
Yes, provided their study permit remains valid and allows driving under provincial law. However, study-permit holders cannot hold commercial licences unless authorized to work.
How will verification be done?
Not totally clear yet, but The Ministry may integrate with IRCC databases to confirm permit validity electronically.
What if my permit expires before renewal?
You must renew your immigration status with IRCC before renewing your driver’s licence; otherwise, your application may be refused, once new rules are in effect.
When will the one-year experience rule start?
Likely upon proclamation of Schedule 5 — anticipated in 2026. Applicants planning to join trucking should begin accumulating driving experience now.
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
You may also like: New Destination Canada Forum 2026 Registrations Are Now Open
New Canada Working Holiday Visa 2026 Season Is Now Open
New CPP Payment Increase Effective January 2026
New Canada Immigration Bill C-12 Set To Bring Stricter Rules