Welcome to Manitoba!
Whether you are moving to Manitoba for the first time or coming back after time away, there are important rules to know about driving. Manitoba allows new and returning residents to drive for a short time using their current driver’s licence, but most people must switch to a Manitoba driver’s licence and update their vehicle registration and insurance within three months.
This page will help you understand what you need to do based on your situation. Start by checking whether you already have a driver’s licence, then follow the section that applies to you.
If you’re new to Manitoba or returning, here’s what you need to know:
- You can use your current driver’s licence for up to three months, as long as it’s valid and similar to a Class 5 or 6 licence.
- After three months, most people need to get a Manitoba driver’s licence.
- You must change your vehicle plates and driver’s licence within three months.
- All vehicles must be registered and insured in Manitoba.
- If you don’t need a driver’s licence, you can get a Manitoba ID card for official photo identification.
Exchanging a commercial driver’s licence?
Commercial licence exchanges can be more complex and vary depending on where your licence was issued. Please contact our Contact Centre at 204-985-7000 or 1-800-665-2410 (toll-free) for assistance.
Residency requirements:
- You can be away from Manitoba for up to six months and still be considered a resident, as long as you don’t work or live permanently somewhere else.
- If you are away for more than six months, you are no longer considered a Manitoba resident.
- If you are a student studying outside Manitoba, you can keep your Manitoba residency for the length of your studies.
Start here
Have you ever had a driver’s licence?
• No (go to Section A)
• Yes — Is your driver’s licence valid? (Meaning it’s not expired, suspended, cancelled or
revoked within the last three months.)
○ No (go to Section A)
○ Yes (go to Section B)
Section A: I DO NOT have a valid driver’s licence
If you have never had a driver’s licence or it’s invalid, you must join Manitoba’s Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program. To get started with GDL, visit the Get a passenger vehicle class 5 licence page.
Section B: I HAVE a valid driver’s licence
Where is your driver’s licence from?
- Canada or United States (go to Section C)
- Another country (go to Section D)
Section C: Valid driver’s licence from Canada or the United States
What you can do:
- Drive cars, motorcycles, light trucks or other classes of vehicles authorized by your licence for three months. You must exchange your licence for a Manitoba driver’s licence within three months.
Note: Some people do NOT need to exchange their licence:
- Full-time students in Manitoba (Canadian residents)
- Resource Officers or Fire Rangers
How to get a Manitoba driver’s licence
Step 1: Go to an Autopac broker or MPI Service Centre
Bring:
- Your ID
- Your driver’s licence
- $75 for the licence fee
MPI will:
- Open your account and assign a customer number
- Take your photo
Step 2: Exchange your driver’s licence
- You must give MPI your current driver’s licence
- You will NOT get it back
- You get a temporary licence (up to 45 days)
- Your permanent licence will be mailed to you
If you are in the Graduated Driver’s Licensing (GDL) program, which is a step-by-step program designed to keep new drivers safe:
- You may need a knowledge test
- Your past driving time may count
- Your temporary driver’s licence will show your level
Section D: Valid driver’s licence from another country
Most people must get a Manitoba driver’s licence within three months.
The following groups of people do not need to exchange their driver’s licence, as long as the licence from their previous home is still valid:
- NATO members: Members of NATO forces visiting Manitoba and their spouses/partners are exempt.
- Full-time students living in Manitoba (Canadian residents): Students residing in Manitoba for the purpose of full-time postsecondary studies who are residents of Canada do not need to exchange their driver’s licence.
- Full-time students from the United States: A student holding a valid U.S. driver’s licence can use it while studying in Manitoba.
- Full-time students from reciprocal countries: Students from countries that have reciprocal or exchange arrangements with Manitoba for the purpose of driver licence exchange.
- Resource Officers or Fire Rangers: Employees of the Department of Sustainable Development.
Countries eligible for driver’s licence exchange in Manitoba
Some countries have reciprocal or other recognized licence exchange arrangements with Manitoba. It means you are eligible for a simplified driver’s licence exchange where you can get an equivalent Manitoba licence without taking a knowledge or road test.
Check to see if your country is on the list of countries eligible for driver’s licence exchange in Manitoba.
Is your country eligible for driver’s licence exchange in Manitoba?
- Yes (go to Section E)
- No (go to Section F)
Section E: Country on the special list of reciprocal agreements
You may drive for up to three months with your current valid driver’s licence. To continue driving after three months, you must get a Manitoba driver’s licence. (No tests required.)
What to do
Step 1: Go to an Autopac broker or MPI Service Centre
Bring:
- Your ID
- Your original valid driver’s licence
- Note: If you have an invalid driver’s licence, you will need to enroll in the Graduated Driver’s Licensing program.
- Your licence will need to be translated if it is not in English or French. See information about translation requirements.
- $75 for the licence fee
- Someone to translate for you (if needed). We offer services in English and French at our following service centres: Steinbach, Portage, Dauphin and the St. Mary’s Road Service Centre in Winnipeg.
Step 2: Exchange your driver’s licence
- Give MPI your original driver’s licence
- Copies are NOT accepted
- Bring all driver’s licences if you have more than one
- You will NOT get them back
- You get a temporary driver’s licence (up to 45 days)
If your driver’s licence is not original, you must join the GDL program.
Section F: Your country is NOT on the special list of reciprocal agreements
You may drive up to three months with your current licence. To continue driving after three months, you must take a knowledge test and a road test to get a Manitoba driver’s licence.
How to get a driver’s licence (tests needed)
Step 1: Go to an Autopac broker or MPI Service Centre
Bring:
- Your ID
- Your driver’s licence
- Your licence will need to be translated if it is not in English or French. See information about translation requirements.
- $12 for the knowledge test fee
- Note: The test is not written the same day, but an appointment can be booked at that time.
- Someone to translate for you (if needed). We offer services in English and French at our following service centres: Steinbach, Portage, Dauphin and the St. Mary’s Road Service Centre in Winnipeg.
Exchange your driver’s licence
- Give MPI your original driver’s licence
- Copies are NOT accepted
- Bring all driver’s licences if you have more than one
- You will NOT get them back
- You get a temporary driver’s licence (up to 45 days)
Note: If you have an invalid driver’s licence, you will need to enroll in the Graduated Driver’s Licensing program.
MPI will:
- Open your account and assign a customer number
- Take your photo
Step 2: Take tests
- Knowledge test
- Vision test
- Road test, which must be done in person to show your ID
- Learn more about our driver licensing testing including how to book your tests
Step 3: Road Test
- Go to MPI before your test
- Give MPI your original driver’s licence (If you do not have your original driver’s licence, the test will be cancelled)
- $35 for the road test fee
- Get a temporary driver’s licence
- If you do not speak English or French (for locations that provide French language testing), we recommend you bring a translator to your appointment. They can help explain instructions before the road test and review the results afterward. Please note that the translator cannot accompany you during the road test.
If you pass, you get a full driver’s licence.
If you do not pass, you must wait a mandatory 14 days before retaking the test. After three failed attempts, you are required to complete five hours of professional driving instruction from an MPI-permitted driving school before booking a fourth attempt.
Helpful notes
- Bring driving and insurance records for discounts
- Ask staff if your driver’s licence is expired
- Check rules if you bring a vehicle
- Seasonal farm workers: see the temporary worker page
We’re here to help!
We are committed to improving access and removing barriers for our customers. We recognize that some people may face challenges when accessing our products and services.
If you have general questions or need accessibility support, please contact us using the information below.
English service is available at all Service Centres. Some locations also offer support in French. If you need help in another language, please bring someone to translate for you.
You can make an accessibility request by writing to us, calling us, or sending an email:
Manitoba Public Insurance
Accessibility Coordinator
Box 6300
234 Donald Street
Winnipeg, MB R3C 4A4
Phone: 204-985-8770, ext. 7477
Toll-free: 1-800-665-2410
Video Relay Services (VRS): 204-985-8832
Email: [email protected]