Driving in Saskatchewan
International students may drive in Saskatchewan for the period during which they are students if:
- they are non-residents temporarily in Saskatchewan for the purpose of attending an educational institution;
- they hold a valid Study Permit and are registered full-time; and
- they carry with them a valid licence from their home country. (Note: The license must be for the class of vehicle the student intends to drive—i.e. someone with a license to operate a car may not operate a motorcycle or commercial truck unless another class of license is obtained.
Spouses of international students who meet the above criteria may also drive in Saskatchewan during this period.
An international driving permit (which has to be obtained in your home country) is not required but it is strongly recommended for any foreign licenses that are not written in English or French. You should always carry both your valid home country license as well as your international driving permit when driving. If you do not have an international driving license, you should obtain a translation of your license and carry it along with your license. (Licenses that are not easily translated by a police officer may cause you difficulty.) You cannot get an international license in Canada. You must contact the organization that issues driver's licenses in your home country and obtain one from them.
Driving Regulations
The Saskatchewan Operator's Manual summarizes the province's driving and licensing regulations. It is available free from Saskatoon Government Insurance (SGI).
If you decide to apply for a Saskatchewan driver's license, it is recommended that a course in driving be undertaken first. This is not necessarily to teach you how to operate a vehicle, but rather to allow you to become familiar with Canadian traffic regulations and road conditions. Several driving schools are listed under "driving instruction" in the Yellow Pages of the telephone directory. It is illegal to drive a motor vehicle without a valid driver's license. Since insurance will not cover the costs of an accident in which the driver has no license, the potential expenses are high—especially if litigation is involved.
Remember that…
- You can be ticketed and even arrested for breaking traffic laws. For most traffic violations, you will only need to pay a fine. At some time you may have to go to court to defend yourself against charges. You may do this by yourself or hire a lawyer.
- One of the most serious offences is driving while intoxicated. It is also against the law to have open containers of alcoholic beverages in your car while driving.
- Do not drive a car when you have a learners' license unless someone who has a valid driver's license is with you in the car.
Obtaining a Saskatchewan Driver’s License
If you become a resident of Saskatchewan and wish to drive, you must obtain a Saskatchewan driver’s license within 90 days from Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI). You will no longer be allowed to drive with your home country license. A resident is someone who intends on staying in Saskatchewan.
Applicants for a Saskatchewan driver’s license who currently hold a valid driver’s license issued by another state or country, excluding Germany and the United States, are required to complete Saskatchewan’s written, vision and road examinations prior to the issuance of a Saskatchewan driver’s license.
However, if the driver holds a valid license written in English or French or an international driver’s license accompanied by their driver’s license
- the minimum six month learning period will be waived; and
- the driver education requirement will also be waived.
Drivers will be issued a probationary license regardless of driving experience. Having a probationary license means that your driving record will be closely monitored for a period of two years. If you commit any driving violations, you will be called for an interview, and your probationary period will be extended to three years. You also risk losing your license.
The same rules apply to students from other Canadian provinces, the United States or Germany. However, if a student intends on becoming a Saskatchewan resident and wishes to exchange his or her driver’s license, the following will apply:
- Applicants who surrender a valid driver’s license of any class or an expired driver’s license of not more than five years from any Canadian province/territory may apply for a driver’s license in the same class or lower class without completing the written, vision or road test. The applicant will be required to submit the medical report or certificate of medical examination for Class 2, 3 or 4 and “S” on application.
- Applicants who surrender a valid driver’s license (not including a learner’s license/Class 7) or supply a fax/letter of confirmation from the source (licensing department) from any state in the continental United States and Hawaii are authorized to apply for a class 5 driver’s license and motorcycle authority without taking any examinations.
Persons requesting a higher class/endorsement of Saskatchewan driver’s license will be required to successfully complete all the required examinations and medical report.
If you do not have a driver’s license from your home country, you will have to go through the same process to receive a license as any other Saskatchewan resident. The driver’s examination process includes a knowledge examination, a vision test, driver education, a six month learning period, a road test and a probationary period.
The knowledge test is a written, multiple choice test that covers driving situations, rules of the road, and road sign identification.
The vision test ensures that you meet the minimum vision standards. If you fail to meet these standards you may be refereed to an optometrist. If you can pass the vision test only with glasses or contact lenses you will be issued a restricted license. Your license will be valid only when you are wearing corrective eyewear.
Once you have passed these two requirements you will be issued a learner’s license. You are then required to take four hours of in-car instruction with a qualified driving instructor and serve a six month learning period before you may go for your road test.
An appointment for a road test must be made through the Driver Examination Office and paid for at the time of booking. The road test is a practical driving exam conducted in a vehicle with an examiner, lasting approximately 30 minutes.
You will be considered a probationary driver if you are obtaining a driver’s license for the first time.
All applicants must meet Saskatchewan’s prescribed age requirements.
For more information about obtaining a Saskatchewan driver’s license, visit SGI online.
