{"id":282,"date":"2023-01-10T21:37:55","date_gmt":"2023-01-10T20:37:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/constoronto.esteri.it\/servizi-consolari-e-visti\/servizi-per-il-cittadino-italiano\/autoveicoli-e-patenti-di-guida\/"},"modified":"2026-01-23T18:53:51","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T17:53:51","slug":"autoveicoli-e-patenti-di-guida","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/constoronto.esteri.it\/en\/servizi-consolari-e-visti\/servizi-per-il-cittadino-italiano\/autoveicoli-e-patenti-di-guida\/","title":{"rendered":"Vehicles and driving Licenses"},"content":{"rendered":"

Here you will find information on:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

– General information on driving in Canada (also for tourists)<\/a>
\n– Italian driver’s licence in Ontario and road safety<\/a>
\n– Italian driver’s licence in Manitoba and Road Safety<\/a>
\n– Italian driver’s licence in the Northwest Territories and Road Safety<\/a>
\n– Validation (“Convalida”) of Italian licenses for Italian citizens in Ontario, Manitoba and the Northwest Territories<\/a> and information in case of lost\/stolen Italian driver’s licence<\/span><\/p>\n

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General Information on Driving in Canada<\/strong><\/p>\n

Before moving to Canada or embarking on a trip that includes driving vehicles in Canada, it is advisable to learn more about the requirements of each province for driving cars and motorbikes, and to make sure you are aware of the main rules in force under the Highway Code of each province, as well as at the federal level.<\/p>\n

It is recommended that you carefully read the information on the Canadian Government’s portal: Driving in Canada – Canada.ca<\/a>
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

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VALIDITY OF ITALIAN DRIVER\u2019S LICENCES IN ONTARIO (CANADA)<\/strong><\/p>\n

In Ontario you are allowed to drive with a valid Italian driver\u2019s license for three months, following which a Canadian driver’s license is required.<\/p>\n

To obtain a Canadian driver’s license you must pass a driving exam (it is not possible to convert directly from an Italian driver\u2019s license to a Canadian one).<\/p>\n

In addition, you are allowed to drive in Ontario for up to one year with an international driver\u2019s license or permit (IDP), which may only be issued in Italy (please contact the offices of the “Motorizzazione Civile”).
\nAn IDP (International Driving Permit), which is only issued in Italy for Italian licenses, may not be accepted for the entire 12-month period because, in some cases, if you stay longer than 3 months, you are considered a resident of the Province and are required to have a Canadian license.<\/p>\n

It is recommended that you learn more about the Highway Code in the Province of Ontario<\/strong>, especially (but not exclusively) if you are visiting the Province for a short period and intend to rent a vehicle. For more information: Drive in Ontario: visitors | ontario.ca<\/a> and\u00a0 Safe and Responsible Driving | The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver\u2019s Handbook | ontario.ca<\/a><\/p>\n

ISSUANCE OF A CANADIAN DRIVER’S LICENCE BASED ON A VALID ITALIAN ONE<\/p>\n

The Canadian authority responsible for the issuance of driver\u2019s licenses in Ontario is the Ministry of Transportation.<\/p>\n

For information please contact<\/strong>:\u00a0Driver and Vehicle Licensing: 416-235-2999 o 1-800-387-3445 or refer to the webpages\u00a0www.mto.gov.on.ca\u00a0<\/a>and\u00a0www.drivetest.ca<\/a>.<\/p>\n

When switching from an Italian driver\u2019s licence to a foreign one, it is often the case that the local authorities will request related information or certifications.The Ministero delle Infrastrutture e dei Trasporti (the Italian ministry of infrastructure and transportation) has highlighted certain practical issues in relation to both types of requests.<\/p>\n

If a foreign Government asks for a certification<\/strong> (confirmation of particulars or other information related to the DL) in relation to an Italian driver\u2019s license,<\/strong> the above mentioned Ministry has indicated that Consular offices cannot issue any such certification, given that only the central Italian authorities or one of the Uffici della Motorizzazione Civile (satellite driver and vehicle licensing offices) are authorized to issue it<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Therefore, in order to obtain such a certification, it will be necessary for you to submit the applicable form to one of the aforementioned Offices, either in person or through a proxy (if you are unable to travel to Italy, you may use the services of an Agenzia pratiche auto (automobile documentation agency) or trusted person), together with documentation showing that related government fees owed have been paid (as required by law).<\/p>\n

Given that the certification is not connected with your place of residency, nor with the Ufficio della Motorizzazione Civile (driver and vehicle licensing office) which issued your driver’s license, you may submit your request to any Ufficio della Motorizzazione Civile (driver and vehicle licensing office) in Italy.<\/p>\n

In order to make the certification issued by the Italian Ufficio della Motorizzazione Civile (driver and vehicle licensing office) valid for use in Canada, it will be necessary to have the document legalized first by the Prefettura and then the Canadian Embassy in Italy. Once legalized, the certification must be translated into English by an ATIO translator (https:\/\/atio.on.ca\/<\/strong>\u00a0<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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VALIDITY OF ITALIAN DRIVER\u2019S LICENCES IN MANITOBA (CANADA)
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

New Residents to Manitoba may drive a passenger vehicle with their valid \u00a0Italian license for a maximum of three months<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

You also have three months to change your registration document obtained outside the Province of Manitoba (license plates and insurance).<\/p>\n

If you have never<\/strong> held a driver\u2019s license, you must successfully complete Manitoba\u2019s Graduated Driver License (GDL) program.<\/strong><\/p>\n

As of December 2, 2024 MANITOBA considers ITALY included in the List of Countries Eligible for Simplified Licence Exchange. <\/strong><\/p>\n

If you are an Italian RESIDENT of Manitoba, your Italian driving license may be recognized equivalent of a Manitoba Class 5 and\/or Class 6 licence. This means you may ask to exchange your Italian license (duly translated) to Manitoba relevant authorities in order to get an equivalent Manitoba license without having to take tests<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

However, documents \/certifications may be required to proof possession of all necessary requirements. In this case, \u00a0documents are to be issued by the relevant authorities in Italy,<\/strong> as\u00a0 the Italian Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructures has indicated that the diplomatic-consular Representations cannot proceed to issue any document on the matter;<\/strong> the Italian Central Authority or the Offices of the Civil Motorization (Motorizzazione Civile) are exclusively competent in this regard (see what is reported in this regard in the section on driving licenses in Ontario, for further information).<\/p>\n

It must be stressed that if you ask to exchange your Italian license for a Manitoba license, the ORIGINAL Italian driving document must be surrendered to Manitoba authorities, which however may destroy it.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It is also to be noted that Manitoba licenses allow to drive in Italy only up to a period of 3 months, as there is no reciprocity for the time being. <\/strong><\/p>\n

For more information \/ details on how to obtain or exchange \u00a0a valid driver\u2019s license in Manitoba:\u00a0<\/strong>New or Returning to Manitoba (mpi.mb.ca)<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

IDP (International Driving Permit), which for Italian licences is only issued in Italy (Motorizzazione Civile), generally allows driving abroad, in countries that recognise it, for a maximum period of one year. However, it may not be accepted for the entire 12-month period because, in some cases, if you stay longer than 3 months, you are considered a resident of the province and are required to obtain a Canadian licence.<\/p>\n

For information on road safety and driving rules<\/strong>\u00a0in Manitoba (speed limits, penalties, etc.):\u00a0Residents Portal | Driving in Manitoba (gov.mb.ca)<\/a><\/p>\n

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VALIDITY OF ITALIAN DRIVER\u2019S LICENSES IN NORTHWEST TERRITORIES (CANADA)<\/strong><\/p>\n

For specific information about the possibility of driving, for a limited period, with a foreign licence in the Northwest Territories, as well as information about the first issue of a Northwest Territories licence or about transferring your driver’s licence to a Northwest Territories licence, please refer to the Territories’ Driver and Vehicle Services portal: Driver and Vehicle Services (gov.nt.ca)<\/a><\/p>\n

For information on road safety and Highway code and by-lawes<\/strong> in the Northwest Territories (speed limits, penalties, peculiarities related to the morphology of the territory and climatic conditions, etc.): Driving Safety | Infrastructure (gov.nt.ca)<\/a><\/p>\n

IDP (International Driving Permit), which for Italian licences is only issued in Italy (Motorizzazione Civile), generally allows driving abroad, in countries that recognise it, for a maximum period of one year. However, it may not be accepted for the entire 12-month period because, in some cases, if you stay longer than 3 months, you are considered a resident of the province and are required to obtain a Canadian licence.<\/p>\n

In the event that the foreign State asks the user to provide an attestation containing the data of the Italian driving licence of which he is the holder, the Italian Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructures has indicated that the diplomatic-consular Representations may not proceed to issue any attestation, since the Italian Central Authority or the Offices of the Civil Motorization (Motorizzazione Civile) are exclusively competent in this regard (see what is reported in this regard in the section on driving licenses in Ontario, for further information).<\/p>\n

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“CONVALIDA” OF AN ITALIAN DRIVER’S LICENSE\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

An Italian driver\u2019s license, whether valid or expired, cannot be renewed, it can only be replaced with a new one.
\nDriver\u2019s licenses which are about to expire (4 months) or expired no more than 5 years, may be \u201cconfirmed\u201d by this Consulate through a document known as \u201cconvalida\u201d (validation); said document will prevent your driver\u2019s license from becoming null and void until you are able to travel to Italy and apply for a new one.<\/p>\n

ELIGIBILITY<\/strong><\/p>\n

You are\u00a0eligible<\/strong>\u00a0to apply for a \u201cconvalida\u201d\u00a0only if you are registered in AIRE or if you can prove that you have been residing abroad for at least the past 6 months.<\/strong><\/p>\n

HOW TO APPLY<\/strong><\/p>\n

You may send your request for a \u201cconvalida\u201d of your driver\u2019s licence\u00a0by mail<\/strong>\u00a0to:<\/p>\n

Consulate General of Italy in Toronto<\/p>\n

136 Beverley Street<\/p>\n

Toronto, ON, M5T 1Y5<\/p>\n

We recommend that you use an express mail service such as Canada XpressPost.\u00a0Please make sure to include all the following documents<\/strong>\u00a0in original:<\/p>\n