Do you need an International Driving Permit in Canada?

Yes. Canada is a party to the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic, which recognises an International Driving Permit valid for up to 1 year when carried with your national licence.

Convention
1949 Geneva Convention
Permit valid up to
1 year
In force since
23 December 1965

Canada and the road traffic conventions

ConventionStatusIn force sincePermit validity
1968 Vienna ConventionNot a party——
1949 Geneva ConventionAcceded23 December 19651 year

Which vehicles your permit covers in Canada

Canada applies the vehicle classes set out by the 1949 Geneva Convention. Your permit only covers the classes that are already on your national licence, so a category you do not hold at home is not granted by the permit.

The English page of the International Driving Agency booklet, listing vehicle categories A to E
The English page of our booklet, showing the same categories an officer in Canada would read.
  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E

What each category covers under the 1949 Geneva Convention

What to carry when you drive in Canada

An International Driving Permit never replaces your national licence. It is a standardised translation that local police and rental desks can read, and it is only valid alongside the licence it was issued against. Carry both, and keep your passport handy at rental pickup, since most rental companies ask to see all three before releasing a vehicle.

Our document reproduces your licence details across 12 languages in the booklet format the conventions describe, so an officer who reads none of them in your alphabet can still find your name, date of birth and vehicle classes:

  • English
  • French
  • Spanish
  • Portuguese
  • Italian
  • German
  • Russian
  • Arabic
  • Chinese
  • Japanese
  • Thai
  • Vietnamese
The inside cover of the booklet, listing the contracting states where the permit is recognised
The inside cover lists the contracting states. Canada appears on it.

What the road rules say in Canada

Emergency services
general 911, police 911, ambulance 911, fire 911

Common questions about driving in Canada

How long is an International Driving Permit valid in Canada?
Up to 1 year. Canada joined the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic on 23 December 1965 by accession, and that convention sets the maximum at 1 year from the date of issue, or until your national licence expires if that comes first.
What do I dial in an emergency in Canada?
Reach general on 911, police on 911, ambulance on 911, fire on 911. The UK Foreign Office publishes these numbers for Canada. Save them before you drive, since you will not want to be searching for them at the roadside.
Does the permit replace my driving licence in Canada?
No. It is a translation of the licence you already hold and has no effect on its own. You must carry your original national licence with it at all times.

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Sources

  1. Convention on Road Traffic (Vienna, 8 November 1968) United Nations Treaty Collection, 91 parties. Checked 4 August 2026.
  2. Convention on Road Traffic (Geneva, 19 September 1949) United Nations Treaty Collection, 103 parties. Checked 4 August 2026.