Driver programs and examinations are designed to develop safe and capable drivers who know and understand the rules of the road. Driving is a responsibility and a privilege. It's not a right. Provincial regulations exist to meet safety needs as well as promote the efficient and safe flow of traffic.

To drive in Saskatchewan you must hold a valid driver's licence for the type of vehicle you wish to operate. The classified driver's licence system establishes minimum standards of skill, knowledge, physical and mental fitness for the safe operation of different types of vehicles. Drivers are then licensed accordingly.

The first time you apply for a Saskatchewan driver's licence, you'll be asked to provide documents to prove your identity, proof of residency and entitlement to be in Canada. Each document must be from an authority such as a federal or provincial government or a federal agency (a full list of approved documents can be found in SGI's Establishing your identity pamphlet (pdf)). They must also be originals, not photocopies. Electronic scans of these documents may be kept on file, in keeping with Canadian standards.

To get a driver's licence, you must be able to operate a vehicle safely and properly, understand all traffic signs and know the rules of the road. You're required to complete a driver's examination if you:

• Have never been a licensed driver;
• Have not held a Saskatchewan driver's licence or specific Class or Endorsement within the past five years;
• You wish to become a certified driver instructor in Saskatchewan;
• Want to change the class of your licence or obtain an endorsement; or
• Are a new resident, and the licence you hold is from another province, state or country not honoured or recognized in Saskatchewan. Licences may be honoured from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia (Czech Republic), Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Isle of Man, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea (including the provinces of Gangwon-do, Gyeonggi-do, Seoul Chungcheongbuk-do, Chungcheongnam-do, Gyeonsangbuk-do, Jeollabuk-do, and Jeollanam-do), Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States; they may be exchanged for a Saskatchewan Class 5 driver's licence and motorcycle endorsement, where applicable. Saskatchewan may also accept a driver's licence from a country not listed. Please check with any Saskatchewan motor licence issuer, driver examination office, or visit Moving to Saskatchewan or contact us toll free at 1-844-TLK-2SGI (1-844-855-2744). The nine-month learning period and driver training requirement may be waived if you can prove past driving experience by providing a valid driver's licence, written in English or French, or a valid licence in another language accompanied by a translation document acceptable to SGI (i.e. International Driving Permit).

If you're a new resident wanting a Saskatchewan driver's licence without being tested, you must meet some requirements:

• If you're a former resident of a Canadian province or territory you must have a valid driver's licence from that jurisdiction. An expired driver's licence (not older than five years) from that jurisdiction is also acceptable. New residents may drive with their valid out-of-province driver's licence for 90 days after moving to Saskatchewan.
  Note: Once a Saskatchewan driver's licence of any class is validated, the driver's licence from any home jurisdiction becomes invalid.
• If you're a former resident of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia (Czech Republic), Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Isle of Man, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea (including the provinces of Gangwon-do, Gyeonggi-do, Seoul Chungcheongbuk-do, Chungcheongnam-do, Gyeonsangbuk-do, Jeollabuk-do, and Jeollanam-do), Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States, a valid licence and a copy of your driving record from that jurisdiction must be provided, accompanied by a translation document acceptable to SGI (i.e. International Driving Permit).