Driving and vehicles in Nunavut: switching your licence and what is required
The published deadline to switch an out-of-province driver's licence in Nunavut, who handles it, the usual steps and documents.
If you are moving to Nunavut
Driver's licences in Nunavut are handled by Motor Vehicles (Service Nunavut).
Published deadline to switch your licence : 30 days after moving (as published when we checked, 2026-11-14)
Complete the driver's licence application and remittance slip and bring two pieces of acceptable identification and the previous registration and proof of insurance. A licence expired for more than 12 months requires an examination.
Official page: new residents and your driver’s licence ↗ (our automatic checker could not open this site)
The usual steps
- Check the deadline above: after it, you may no longer drive legally on your old licence, and insurance can be affected.
- Gather your identity documents and proof of address in the province: the official page lists exactly which documents are accepted (two documents from the same issuer are often refused).
- Licences from other Canadian provinces are usually swapped for the same class without a road test; licences from other countries may need tests depending on an exchange agreement.
- Surrender your old licence: only one valid licence is allowed. Keep the temporary document you receive until the card arrives by mail.
- Register your vehicle and get insurance in the province: the deadline differs from the licence deadline.
- Change the address on your health card, bank, employer and the CRA.
More: our moving checklist, the moving page for Nunavut (health card and taxes) and government online accounts.
Deadlines, fees, accepted countries and documents change and are set by each province: the official page is the authority. General information. Quebec has its own rules (SAAQ): see AtlasQuébec.
Guides for this province
- Renting in Nunavut: rights, rent increases and average rents
- Working in Nunavut: minimum wage, standards and wages
- Moving to Nunavut: health card, driver's licence and taxes
- Cost of living in Nunavut: prices, rent, wages and taxes
- Buying a home in Nunavut: land transfer tax, rebates and first-time buyer help
- Health care in Nunavut: health card, drug plans and dental help
- Studying in Nunavut: tuition, student aid and grants
- Seniors in Nunavut: pensions, supplements and programs
- Taxes in Nunavut: income tax rates, sales tax and take-home pay (2026)
- Families in Nunavut: child benefits and family programs
- Documents and ID in Nunavut: birth certificate and change of name
- Starting a business in Nunavut: register a name, GST/HST and licences
- Problems and disputes in Nunavut: consumer complaints, small claims, workplace injury and legal aid
- Driving and vehicles in Nunavut: switching your licence and what is required
- Photo ID card in Nunavut without a driver's licence: who can apply, documents and fee
- Getting married in Nunavut: marriage licence, fees and documents
- Health card in Nunavut: who qualifies, waiting period and how to register
- When someone dies in Nunavut: death certificate, estate and probate
- Registering a child for school in Nunavut: age, documents and where to sign up
- Child care in Nunavut: fees, finding a space and subsidies
- Immigrating to Nunavut: nominee program, steps and processing times
- Accessible parking permit in Nunavut: how to apply
- Alcohol rules in Nunavut: legal age and where to buy
- Car insurance in Nunavut: what is compulsory and where to buy it
- Cannabis rules in Nunavut: legal age, where to buy and where to use
- Disability income and supports in Nunavut: how to apply
- Prescription drug coverage in Nunavut: public plans and how to enrol
- Emergency preparedness in Nunavut: alerts, evacuation and your 72-hour kit
- Separation, parenting and child support in Nunavut: free help and enforcement
- Help for family violence and victims of crime in Nunavut
- Fishing and hunting licences in Nunavut: where to buy and what you need
- Health advice line (811) in Nunavut: speak to a nurse any time
- Indigenous relations and services in Nunavut: who does what
- Marriage licence fee in Nunavut
- New drivers in Nunavut: graduated licensing stages and minimum ages
- Provincial parks and camping reservations in Nunavut
- Probate fees in Nunavut: what an estate pays
- Social assistance in Nunavut: how to apply for income support
- Social housing and rent help in Nunavut: how to apply
- Student loans and grants in Nunavut: where to apply
- Voting in Nunavut: register, check your status and find your election office
- Wills, powers of attorney and health care directives in Nunavut