Frequently Asked Questions

CCMTA

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What is the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA)?

The Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators is a national forum comprised of representatives from all provincial and territorial governments as well as the federal government of Canada.

What does the CCMTA do?

CCMTA is Canada's official organization for coordinating matters dealing with the administration, regulation and control of motor vehicle transportation and highway safety. Members make decisions through a collective consultative process.

Is CCMTA a Government Agency?

CCMTA is a non-profit incorporated organization.

How is CCMTA funded?

CCMTA receives funding from its members comprised of provincial/territorial/federal ministries of transportation. In addition, CCMTA generates revenues from its services.

What is CCMTA doing to improve road safety?

In Canada, responsibility for road safety is divided among various levels of government, and falls within the purview of the provincial , territorial or federal jurisdiction. Canada's Road Safety Strategy 2025 is Canada's plan to improve safety on our roads. It provides jurisdictions with a framework of best practices to address specific road safety challenges.

This includes:

raising public awareness and commitment to road safety, an example would be the Leave the Phone Alone campaign,
improving communication, cooperation and collaboration among all stakeholders by sharing information,
supporting enforcement efforts through activities like Canada Road Safety Week, the CCMTA-Police Partnership Award and sharing information and research,
On-going research and evaluation.

Does CCMTA issue vehicle registrations, driver licences or international driver licences?

Drivers licenses, international and vehicle registrations are the responsibility of the provincial/territorial Ministry of Transportation.

Does CCMTA provide winter road conditions?

To find out about winter road conditions for your area, visit your provincial/territorial ministry of transportation.

Does CCMTA deal with highways and infrastructure?

CCMTA does not deal with highway and infrastructure matters. To learn more, visit Transport Canada or the Transportation Association of Canada.

Where can I find Canadian motor vehicle collision statistics?

Collected in collaboration with CCMTA, Transport Canada annually produces a pamphlet entitled "Canadian Motor Vehicle Traffic Collision Statistics". It contains statistical information on the "Number of Licensed Drivers by Gender and Age Group", "Fatalities and Injuries by Age Group", "Fatalities by Road User Class" etc.

Driver Licensing

Why do I have to transfer my driver's licence when I move from one province/territory to another?

Driver licensing is a provincial/territorial responsibility thus requiring drivers to be licensed in the province/territory of residence.

Who issues and maintains driver licence records for each province/territory?

Please see table below:

Driver Licensing

Vehicle Registration

Commercial Motor Carrier Operating Authority
(Safety Certificate)

British Columbia

Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC)

Driver Programs

Driver Licensing

Commercial Driver Licensing

Tel: (800) 663-3051 or

(604) 661-2800

Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC)

Vehicle Registration Office

BC Ministry of Transportation

Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement Branch

Tel: (250) 953-4017

Fax: (250) 952-0578

NSC Application Office

Tel: (250) 952-0576

Fax: (250) 952-0578

Vehicle Permit Line:

(800) 559-9688

Alberta

Ministry of Transport/Infrastructure

Driver Licensing

Ministry of Transport/Infrastructure

Vehicle Registrations

Ministry of Transport/Infrastructure

Commercial Transportation

Saskatchewan

SGI - Licensing and Registration Services

Driver Licensing

SGI - Licensing & Registration Services

Vehicle Registrations

Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation

Transport Compliance and Trucking Information

Manitoba

Manitoba Public Insurance

Driver Licensing

Manitoba Public Insurance

Registration

Manitoba Infrastructure & Transportation

Motor Carrier Division

Ontario

Ministry of Transportation

Licensing Control Branch

Driver Licensing

Tel: 416-235-2999 or

1-800-387-3445

Ministry of Transportation

Licensing Control Branch

Vehicle Registration

Tel: 416-235-2999 or

1-800-387-3445

Ministry of Transportation

Carrier Safety & Enforcement Branch

Commercial Vehicle Operator's Registration (CVOR)

Tel: 416-246-7166 or

1-800-387-7736

Québec

Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ)

Permis de conduire

Tel: 1-800-361-7620

Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ)

Immatriculation

Tel: 1-800-361-7620

Commission des Transports du Québec

Véhicules lourds

Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ)

Véhicules lourds

New Brunswick

Department of Public Safety

Licensing & Records Branch

Driver Licensing

Tel: (506) 453-3992

Department of Public Safety

Licensing & Records Branch

Vehicle Registration

Tel: (506) 453-3992

Department of Public Safety

Licensing & Records Branch

Trucking and Transport Industry

Tel: (888) 762-8600

Permit Services: (506) 453-2982

Nova Scotia

Service Nova Scotia

Road Safety Programs

Drivers Licence Information

Tel: (902) 424-5200

Service Nova Scotia

Road Safety Programs

Vehicle Registration and Plates

Tel: (902) 424-5200

Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal

Vehicle Compliance

Transportation and Infrastructure Rewal

Prince Edward Island

Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy

Highway Safety Operations

Driver's License Info

Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy

Highway Safety Operations

Vehicle Registrations

Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy

Highway Safety Operations

Newfoundland and Labrador

Department of Government Services

Driver Licensing

Tel: 1-877-636-6867

Department of Government Services

Vehicle Registration

Tel: 1-877-636-6867

Department of Government Services

Inspection Requirements

Northwest Territories

Department of Transportation

The NWT Driver Licence

Registrar, Road Licencing

and Safety

Department of Transportation

Tel: (867) 873-7406

Registrar, Road Licencing

and Safety

Department of Transportation

Tel: (867) 873-7406

Yukon

Department of Highways and Public Works

Driver Licenses

Department of Highways and Public Works

Vehicle Registration

Department of Highways and Public Works

Transport Services

Permit Services

Nunavut

Dept. of Economic Development and Transportation

Motor Vehicles Section

P.O. Box 207

Gjoa Haven, NU X0B 1J0

Dept. of Economic Development and Transportation

Motor Vehicles Section

P.O. Box 207

Gjoa Haven, NU X0B 1J0

Dept. of Economic Development and Transportation

Motor Vehicles Section

P.O. Box 207

Gjoa Haven, NU X0B 1J0

I am moving to Canada from another country. Can I exchange my present valid driver's licence for a Canadian one, or must I apply for a new driver's licence and complete the necessary written and practical testing?

U.S/ citizens moving to Canada:

All Canadian jurisdictions extend reciprocity to regular passenger vehicle driver licenses issued by all U.S. states without any additional retesting.

Canadian citizens moving to the US:

Please click here to see which U.S. states extend reciprocity to regular passenger vehicle drivers licenses issued by all Canadian province/territory without any additional written or practical testing. Please contact the US State directly for additional information.

Other citizens, moving to and from Canada (not from the US):

Some countries have reciprocal driver licence exchange agreements with individual Canadian provinces/territories. Please contact the Canadian province/territory directly for additional information.

Is an International Drivers Permit (IDP) the same as a driver's licence?

An international driver's permit is valid only when the driver has a valid licence issued by a jurisdiction permitting the operation of a passenger vehicle.

A valid driver's licence issued by a jurisdiction must be carried in conjunction with the IDP.

Most countries consider an IDP to be a translator of the driver's licence of the issuing country/state/province/territory. Simply stated, an IDP is a translation of a licence issued by the country of residence to help people travelling abroad to avoid language barriers between foreign drivers and law enforcement.

Vehicles

Who issues and maintains vehicle registration records for each province/territory?

Please see table below:

Driver Licensing	Vehicle Registration	Commercial Motor Carrier Operating Authority (Safety Certificate)
British Columbia
Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) Driver Programs Driver Licensing Commercial Driver Licensing Tel: (800) 663-3051 or (604) 661-2800	Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) Vehicle Registration Office	BC Ministry of Transportation Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement Branch Tel: (250) 953-4017 Fax: (250) 952-0578 NSC Application Office Tel: (250) 952-0576 Fax: (250) 952-0578 Vehicle Permit Line: (800) 559-9688
Alberta
Ministry of Transport/Infrastructure Driver Licensing	Ministry of Transport/Infrastructure Vehicle Registrations	Ministry of Transport/Infrastructure Commercial Transportation
Saskatchewan
SGI - Licensing and Registration Services Driver Licensing	SGI - Licensing & Registration Services Vehicle Registrations	Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation Transport Compliance and Trucking Information
Manitoba
Manitoba Public Insurance Driver Licensing	Manitoba Public Insurance Registration	Manitoba Infrastructure & Transportation Motor Carrier Division
Ontario
Ministry of Transportation Licensing Control Branch Driver Licensing Tel: 416-235-2999 or 1-800-387-3445	Ministry of Transportation Licensing Control Branch Vehicle Registration Tel: 416-235-2999 or 1-800-387-3445	Ministry of Transportation Carrier Safety & Enforcement Branch Commercial Vehicle Operator's Registration (CVOR) Tel: 416-246-7166 or 1-800-387-7736
Québec
Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) Permis de conduire Tel: 1-800-361-7620	Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) Immatriculation Tel: 1-800-361-7620	Commission des Transports du Québec Véhicules lourds Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) Véhicules lourds
New Brunswick
Department of Public Safety Licensing & Records Branch Driver Licensing Tel: (506) 453-3992	Department of Public Safety Licensing & Records Branch Vehicle Registration Tel: (506) 453-3992	Department of Public Safety Licensing & Records Branch Trucking and Transport Industry Tel: (888) 762-8600 Permit Services: (506) 453-2982
Nova Scotia
Service Nova Scotia Drivers Licence Information Tel: (902) 424-5200	Service Nova Scotia Vehicle Registration and Plates Tel: (902) 424-5200	Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Vehicle Compliance Transportation and Infrastructure Rewal
Prince Edward Island
Dept. of Transportation & Public Works Highway Safety Operations Driver's License Info	Dept. of Transportation & Public Works Highway Safety Operations Vehicle Registrations	Dept. of Transportation & Public Works Highway Safety Operations
Newfoundland and Labrador
Department of Government Services Driver Licensing Tel: 1-877-636-6867	Department of Government Services Vehicle Registration Tel: 1-877-636-6867	Department of Government Services Inspection Requirements
Northwest Territories
Department of Transportation The NWT Driver Licence	Registrar, Road Licencing and Safety Department of Transportation Tel: (867) 873-7406	Registrar, Road Licencing and Safety Department of Transportation Tel: (867) 873-7406
Yukon
Department of Highways and Public Works Driver Licenses	Department of Highways and Public Works Vehicle Registration	Department of Highways and Public Works Transport Services Permit Services
Nunavut
Dept. of Economic Development and Transportation Motor Vehicles Section P.O. Box 207 Gjoa Haven, NU X0B 1J0	Dept. of Economic Development and Transportation Motor Vehicles Section P.O. Box 207 Gjoa Haven, NU X0B 1J0	Dept. of Economic Development and Transportation Motor Vehicles Section P.O. Box 207 Gjoa Haven, NU X0B 1J0

What are the rules, requirements and regulations for importing a car into Canada?

If importing a vehicle from the U.S.A., please contact the Registrar of Imported Vehicles toll-free at 1-888-848-8240.

If importing a vehicle from some place other than the USA, please contact Transport Canada toll-free at 1-800-333-0371.

What are the laws and regulations regarding the restoration and rebuilding of motor vehicles?

Each Canadian province/territory has regulations dealing with standards for rebuilding motor vehicles. You must contact the jurisdiction where the motor vehicle is to be registered for further information.

What are the vehicle requirements for aftermarket parts?

Each Canadian province/territory has regulations dealing with vehicle requirements for aftermarket parts. You must contact each jurisdiction for further information.

Where can I get information on vehicle manufacturing standards in Canada?

Please go to the Transport Canada for further information.

Commercial Carriers

What is the National Safety Code for Motor Carriers and where can I obtain a copy?

The National Safety Code for Motor Carriers (also referred to as "NSC") is a comprehensive code of minimum performance standards for the safe operation of commercial vehicles. The code applies to all persons responsible for the operation of commercial vehicles on the road, including trucks, buses tractors and trailers.

The National Safety Code (NSC) for Motor Carriers manual is available for PDF download or purchase. Please click here.

How do I get my motor carrier operating authority (safety certificate) in Canada?

Authority must be sought from each jurisdiction in which you intend to travel. Should you not wish to conduct regular business in a province/territory on an ongoing basis, application can be made for a trip permit.

I've heard about a new North American Cargo Securement Standard. Can you tell me anything about it?

The North American Cargo Securement Standard is a performance-based standard. In the mid-1990s a joint CCMTA/U.S. research project, including industry stakeholders, was undertaken to establish a sound technical foundation for a review of the regulations governing load security.

Research reports emanating from this project can be obtained at the CCMTA Publications webpage.

Since 1994 there has been active and close collaboration between representatives of governments and industry in both Canada and the United States in pursuit of developing and implementing uniform regulatory requirements for securement of cargo on highway transport vehicles.

Key milestones in this collaboration and related documents such as the Final NSC Standard on Cargo Securement and the training program can also be obtained on the Cargo Securement webpage.

For more information, please visit:

NSC Cargo Securement Standard (ccmta.ca)

North American Cargo Securement Harmonization Public Forum - CVSA - Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance

Where can I obtain dangerous goods legislation for each of the provinces/territories?

Canadian provinces/territories model their legislation on the federal regulations /legislation for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods. Please contact Transport Canada for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act and Regulations.

For further provincial/territorial information please see the agencies below:

British Columbia
Ministry of Public Safety & Solicitor General, Commercial Vehicle Safety & Enforcement Division
Tel: (250) 953-4016, Fax: (250) 952-0578, TDG Act
Alberta
Alberta Infrastructure & Transportation, Coordination and Information Centre: 1-800-272-9600
Dangerous Goods Handling
Saskatchewan
Department of Justice Queen's Printers, Dangerous Goods Transportation Regulation
Manitoba
Dangerous Goods Handing and Transportation Act
Ontario
Ontario Ministry of Transportation, Provincial Dangerous Goods Coordinator
Tel: (905) 704-2342
Québec
Ministère des Transports du Québec, Matières dangereuses
New Brunswick
New Brunswick Department of Public Safety
Tel: (506) 453-3992
Transportation of Dangerous Goods
Nova Scotia
Dept. of Transportation and Public Works, Vehicle Compliance, Tel: (902) 424-3602
Transportation of Dangerous Goods
Prince Edward Island
Department of Transportation and Public Works, Highway Safety Operations
Tel: (902) 368-5222
Newfoundland
Tel: (709) 729-3454
Northwest Territories
Department of Transportation, Vehicle Inspections Programs
Tel: (867) 920-8015
Yukon
Department of Highways and Public Works, Transportation Services
Tel: (867) 667-5920
Nunavut
Department of Economic Development and Transportation, Services & Inspections
Tel: (867) 975-5381

Does Canada have a uniform bill of lading?

All jurisdictions ensure bill of lading provisions are safeguarded in jurisdictional legislation.

The existing bills of lading provisions are similar among the provinces/territories, with variations relating to specific commodities. The legislation in each jurisdiction is the best source for bill of lading requirements.

Miscellaneous

I wish to obtain a copy of the Highway Traffic Act for my province/territory, where do I find this?

Please contact your provincial/territorial government website.

Where can I find Canadian motor vehicle collision statistics?

Collected in collaboration with CCMTA , Transport Canada annually produces a pamphlet entitled "Canadian Motor Vehicle Traffic Collision Statistics". It contains statistical information on the "Number of Licensed Drivers by Gender and Age Group", "Fatalities and Injuries by Age Group", "Fatalities by Road User Class" etc.

The information contained in this FAQ section is by no means the final word on the issues described. It is intended to assist those who are seeking information regarding the subject matter. CCMTA is not responsible for the content of external sites.