Moving to Manitoba from Another Province: How Soon to Change Your Driver's License?
Relocating to a new province awaits new experiences and opportunities. You will have to take care of many things and make changes in your legal documents with the updated information. Among them, one of the most important tasks is updating your driver’s license. Just like any other province, Manitoba also requires you to know the rules and timelines for switching to a Manitoba driver’s license. In this blog, let’s understand how soon you must change your driver’s license after moving to Manitoba.
Why is it important to change your driver’s license?
Your driver’s license is one of the most important identification documents you will carry. It serves as proof of your identity, age, and residence. It is often required for various legal and administrative purposes. Failing to update your license within the required timeframe could lead to complications such as fines and penalties.
How long do you have to make the switch?
Timeframe: Upon moving to Manitoba, you have up to 90 days to switch your existing driver’s license to a Manitoba driver’s license.
Things You Can Do at this Period: During this period, you get the time to settle in and understand the rules and regulations of the state.
Find an Agent or an MPI Service Centre: You can also find your nearest agent or service center and get to know the procedures. However, it is advisable to make the change sooner rather than doing it in the last days.
Failed to Switch on the Time: After 90 days, continuing to drive with an out-of-province license could result in fines and penalties.
Steps to Change Your Driver’s License
Visit an Autopac Agent or MPI Service Centre: Find the nearest Autopac agent or MPI service center to apply to change your driver’s license to Manitoba.
Gather the Documents: Bring your valid driver’s license from the previous province you resided in, along with identification documents such as a passport or birth certificate.
Fee: There is a fee to change your driver’s license to Manitoba. The fee is a $65 annual license fee.
Submit Your Out-of-Province License: You must hand over your existing license to get a temporary Manitoba license. This temporary license is valid for up to 45 days, within which your new license will be mailed to you.
Get Your Manitoba Driver’s License: Your new Manitoba driver’s license will be mailed to your address within a few weeks.
If You are in GDL: If you have a learner license, you must complete Manitoba’s knowledge test. If you live in a province that uses a GDL system, you will receive credit toward the appropriate stage for the time you held your license in your home province. The temporary license will reflect the proper GDL stage.
Special Considerations
Students and Government Employees
If you are a full-time student or employed as a resource officer or fire ranger with the Department of Sustainable Development, you may be exempt from the 90-day requirements.
Expired Licenses
If your existing out-of-province license has expired, visit an Autopac agent or MPI center for guidance on the process based on the rules of the Manitoba driver’s license system.
Vehicle Registration
Just like your driver’s license, your vehicle registration must be updated within 90 days of your move to Manitoba. This includes getting Manitoba plates and insurance, so ensure you factor this into your relocation timeline.
What happens if you do not switch within the timeframe?
Driving Illegally: If you do not change to a Manitoba driver’s license within the 90-day grace period, your out-of-province license will not be considered in Manitoba. If caught, you could face fines and other penalties.
Difficulty in Insurance Claims: Operating a vehicle without a valid Manitoba driver’s license could cause complications with your insurance. The insurance company might refuse to cover the claims with an invalid driver’s license.
Administrative Penalties: Failing to update your driver’s license could result in additional administrative penalties such as delays or complications in accessing government services, renewing vehicle registration, or applying for other identification documents in Manitoba.
Ensuring that your driver’s license and vehicle registration are up to date is a crucial step after moving to Manitoba. By taking care of this at the earliest, you can continue driving in Manitoba without disruptions. The procedures are designed in a straightforward way, helping all new residents in Manitoba to easily change their driver’s license and update the information to avoid any kinds of penalties. For any queries related to the Manitoba driver’s license, check our Canada driver’s license website to know everything about the licensing system. If you are seeking a driver’s license for the first time in Manitoba, it is your time to start preparing for it with our Manitoba MPI quiz practice tests for the MPI knowledge test success.
