Northwest Territories Driver's License | NorthwestTerritories.AllVehiclesData.com

What Is a Driver's License in Northwest Territories?

A driver's license in the Northwest Territories is an official document issued by the Department of Infrastructure that grants individuals the legal authority to operate motor vehicles on public roads within the territory. This license serves as a form of identification and proof of the holder's qualification to drive specific types of vehicles.

The driver's license contains essential information about the holder, including their photograph, full name, date of birth, address, and class of vehicles they are permitted to operate. It also includes security features to prevent forgery and ensure its authenticity.

Department of Infrastructure

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1320, Yellowknife, NT X1A 2L9

Phone Number: 1-867-767-9087 ext. 31066

Website

What Are the Different Types of Driver's Licenses Available in Northwest Territories?

Northwest Territories offers several classes of driver's licenses based on the type of vehicle being operated:

Class 1: Semi-trailer trucks
Class 2: Buses, including school buses
Class 3: Tandem-axle vehicles, including trucks with more than two axles
Class 4: Taxis and Ambulances
Class 5: Passenger vehicles, light trucks, and motor homes
Class 6: Motorcycles
Class 7: Learner's permit for Class 5 vehicles

Each class has specific age, training, and testing requirements. Some classes also have endorsements for additional privileges, such as operating air brakes or transporting dangerous goods.

What Is the Minimum Age Required to Get a Driver's License in Northwest Territories?

The minimum age to obtain a driver's license in Northwest Territories depends on the license class:

Class 7 (Learner's Permit): 15 years old
Class 5 (Passenger Vehicles): 17 years old
Class 1, 2, 3, or 4 (Commercial Licenses): 18 years old
Class 6 (Motorcycles): 17 years old

Where Can I Get a Driver's License in Northwest Territories?

Driver's licenses in the Northwest Territories can be obtained through Driver and Vehicle Services offices located throughout the territory. These offices are the primary point of contact for various government services, including driver licensing and vehicle registration.

How to Get a Driver's License in Northwest Territories?

To obtain a driver's license in the Northwest Territories, follow these steps:

Step 1: Apply for a Learner's License (Class 7)

Eligibility:

Be at least 15 years old.

Visit a Driver and Vehicle Office:

Bring a completed application form (available at the office).
Provide proof of legal name, date of birth, and acceptable photo identification (e.g., birth certificate, passport).
Show proof of residency in the Northwest Territories (e.g., utility bill, lease agreement).

Exams:

Pass a vision screening and a knowledge examination on road rules.
Learner's Conditions:
Hold the Class 7 license for at least one year.
Drive with a fully licensed supervisor (minimum 24 months of experience).
No driving between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Only the supervisor can be in the vehicle.
Maintain a zero blood alcohol concentration (BAC).

Step 2: Obtain a Probationary License (Class 5P or 6P)

After holding the Class 7 license for 12 months without suspension, you can upgrade to a Class 5P or 6P license.

Step 3: Upgrade to a Full License (Class 5 or 6)

Hold the Class 5P or 6P license for 12 months suspension-free to qualify for a full Class 5 or 6 license.
Apply for the upgrade in person at a driver and vehicle office.

What Documents Are Required for a Driving License in Northwest Territories?

To apply for a Northwest Territories driver's license, you'll need to provide:

Completed Application Form: This form is available at driver and vehicle offices.
Proof of Legal Name and Date of Birth: Acceptable documents include a birth certificate or passport.
Photo Identification: A government-issued photo ID is required.
Proof of Residency: Documents such as a utility bill or residential lease agreement can be used to confirm your address in the Northwest Territories.

How to Get a Class 5 License in Northwest Territories

To obtain a Class 5 driver's license in Northwest Territories, which allows you to drive passenger vehicles and light trucks, follow these steps:

Visit a Driver and Vehicle Office:

1. Apply in person.
Bring a completed application form (copies available at the office).

Required Documents:

Proof of Legal Name and Date of Birth: Acceptable forms include a birth certificate or passport.
Photo Identification: A driver’s license or government-issued ID.
Proof of Residency: Present a utility bill or residential lease agreement to show your Northwest Territories address.

Take the Written Exam:

Book a written exam and take it with photo identification. You will need to pass both a vision screening and a knowledge exam on the rules of the road.

Graduated Licensing Program:

Stage 1 (Learner’s Class 7): Be at least 15 years old and hold the Learner’s license for one year under supervision.
Stage 2 (Probationary Class 5P): Hold the probationary license for 12 months suspension-free.
Stage 3 (Full Class 5): After meeting the probationary period requirements, apply to upgrade to a full Class 5 license.

How to Get a Class 7 License in Northwest Territories

A Class 7 license in the Northwest Territories refers to the learner's permit, the first step in the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program. To obtain a Class 7 license, applicants must:

Visit a Driver and Vehicle Office:

Complete an application form (available at the office).

Required Documents:

Proof of legal name and date of birth: A birth certificate, passport, etc.
Photo identification.
Proof of residency in the Northwest Territories: Utility bill, residential lease agreement, etc.

Written Exam:

Book and take a written exam on the rules of the road.
Bring photo identification for the exam.

Learner’s Licence Conditions:

Must be at least 15 years old.
Pass a vision screening and the written knowledge exam.
Must hold the Learner's license for at least one year.
Drive with a fully licensed driver (supervisor) with at least 24 months of experience.
No driving between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
You must refrain from accumulating six or more demerit points, or the Registrar may suspend your driving privileges.
No passengers other than the supervisor.
Must maintain a zero blood alcohol concentration (BAC).

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Driver's License in Northwest Territories?

The cost to get a new driver’s license in the Northwest Territories varies based on the duration of the license:

5-year new license: $103.00 (seniors 60+: $51.00)
3-year new license: $79.00 (seniors 60+: $40.00)
1-year new license: $43.00 (seniors 60+: $22.00)

Is a Driver's License Issued in Northwest Territories Online?

No, driver's licenses are not issued online in Northwest Territories. While some steps of the licensing process, such as booking road tests, can be done through the Department of Infrastructure website, issuing a driver's license requires an in-person visit to a Driver and Vehicle Services office.

During the visit, applicants must:

Prove their identity and residency with original documents
Have their photo and signature captured for the license card
Pass required vision, written, or road tests
Pay applicable fees

Is a US-Issued Driver's License Recognized in Northwest Territories?

Yes, Northwest Territories recognizes valid driver's licenses issued by U.S. states for visitors and new residents. Tourists and short-term visitors can drive with their U.S. license for up to 90 days without obtaining a Northwest Territories license.

New residents moving to Northwest Territories from the U.S. can exchange their state-issued license for an equivalent class Northwest Territories license without retaking knowledge or road tests, provided their license is valid and in good standing. They must do so within 30 days of establishing residency.

What Is the Procedure for a Foreigner to Obtain a Northwest Territories Driver's License?

The procedure for a foreigner to obtain a Northwest Territories driver's license depends on their residency status and the country that issued their original license.

Residency Status:

Only residents of NWT can apply for an NWT driver’s license. You must provide immigration documents (for non-Canadians) to prove residency. Students or workers with valid visas can apply for a license for the period specified on their visa.

Reciprocity:

Licenses from other Canadian provinces and the United States are recognized without additional testing.
Class 5 and 6 licenses from the Isle of Man and Class 5 licenses from Germany are accepted without testing.
Visitors from other countries must follow the same graduated licensing process as new drivers in the Northwest Territories.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Northwest Territories Driving License?

New Class 5 license holders must complete these steps:

You must hold the Class 7 Learner’s License for at least one year.
After holding a Learner's License for one year, you are eligible for the Class 5P or 6P Probationary License, which requires passing a road test.
You must hold this Probationary License for at least 12 months without suspension.
After completing the 12-month suspension-free probationary period, you can apply for a full Class 5 or 6 license.

In the Northwest Territories, it takes at least two years (one year as a learner and one year as a probationary driver) to get a full Class 5 or 6 driver's license.

Can Tourists and Visitors Drive in Northwest Territories?

Yes, tourists and visitors can drive in Northwest Territories using their valid driver's license from their home country or jurisdiction. Northwest Territories honors licenses from all Canadian provinces and territories, all U.S. states, and many foreign countries for non-residents.

Visitors outside Canada or the U.S. may also need an International Driver's Permit (IDP) and their original license. The IDP translates their license information into multiple languages, including English. It is not a substitute for a valid license.

Tourists can drive with their out-of-territory license for up to 90 days before switching to a Northwest Territories license.

Is a Northwest Territories Driver's License Valid Internationally?

A Northwest Territories driver's license is valid as proof of driving privileges throughout Canada and the United States. However, its recognition internationally varies by country. Many nations require a separate International Driver's Permit (IDP) in conjunction with the Canadian license.

An IDP is a translation document that verifies the validity of the driver's Canadian license for local authorities abroad. It is not a substitute for a license itself.

Before travel, Northwest Territories drivers can apply for an IDP through any Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) office. The permit is valid for one year and must be carried with the driver's territorial license when driving in foreign countries.

How to Convert an International Driver's License to a Northwest Territories One?

New residents moving to Northwest Territories with a valid driver's license from certain countries can convert their international license to an equivalent class Northwest Territories license without retesting.

Germany
Isle of Mann
United States

To convert, drivers must:

Proof of legal residency in the Northwest Territories
Surrender their original international license
Provide acceptable identity documents and proof of legal status in Canada
Pass a vision screening
Pay the license conversion fee

Those from countries not listed must start the licensing process as new drivers, completing the graduated license program requirements before being granted full driving privileges.

Does Northwest Territories Have a Digital Driver's License?

No, Northwest Territories does not currently offer a digital version of its driver's licenses. The territory issues physical, hard-copy licenses printed on secure plastic card stock and mailed to drivers upon licensing or renewal.

What Are the Regulations Around Suspension and Revocation of Driving Licenses in Northwest Territories?

In the Northwest Territories, driving license suspension and revocation are governed by administrative procedures and the Motor Vehicles Act. Key regulations include:

Administrative Licence Suspension (ALS):

Drivers charged with an alcohol-related offence (over a 0.08 BAC) or refusal to provide a sample face an automatic 90-day suspension, regardless of conviction.
Novice drivers (under 22 or on the Graduated Licensing Program) face a 30-day suspension for any alcohol consumption.

Suspensions and Disqualifications:

Northwest Territories suspends your license alongside any court-ordered driving prohibitions. A court may suspend for three months, while the territory may enforce a 1-year suspension for the same offence.

Penalties for Convictions:

1st offence: 1-year license suspension.
2nd offence: 3-year suspension.
3rd offence: 5-year suspension.
4 or more offences: Indefinite suspension (minimum five years).
Death from impaired driving: Minimum suspension of 5 years.

Driving While Suspended:

Driving under suspension can lead to jail time, fines, and vehicle impoundment for 30 days.

Reinstatement Requirements:

Suspensions last until the driver meets conditions such as completing alcohol treatment programs, driver assessments, and paying reinstatement fees.

How Long Does a Driving License Last in Northwest Territories?

The validity period for a driver's license in the Northwest Territories is valid for one, three, or five, depending on the license class and the driver's age and medical status. More frequent renewals may be required based on medical conditions or age-related factors.

How to Know When Northwest Territories Drivers License Expires?

The expiration date of a Northwest Territories driver's license is clearly printed on the front of the license card. This date indicates when the current license will no longer be valid and requires renewal.

Drivers can also check their license expiration date online through the government's e-services portal or by contacting a Driver and Vehicle Services office. It is the license holder's responsibility to be aware of their expiration date and initiate the renewal process in a timely manner.

What Happens if Your Northwest Territories Drivers License Expires?

If a Northwest Territories driver's license expires, it is no longer valid for operating a motor vehicle. Driving with an expired license violates the Motor Vehicles Act and can result in fines and other penalties. The consequences of driving with an expired license may include:

Monetary fines
Demerit points on the driver's record
Potential vehicle impoundment
Complications with insurance coverage in the event of an accident

The holder must go through the renewal process to reinstate an expired licence. A simple renewal process is usually sufficient for licences that expire in less than two years. If the licence has expired for more than two years, the holder must obtain a new one.