In a major development for the Kosovar diaspora, the Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo to Canada, Adriatik Kryeziu, has officially signed a reciprocal agreement with the Government of Ontario for the recognition and exchange of driver’s licenses.
The agreement was signed alongside Ontario’s Minister of Transportation, the Honourable Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria. As of May 1, 2026, citizens of Kosovo living in Ontario can exchange their valid driver’s licenses for an Ontario license without the need for theoretical or practical exams.
Key Requirements for Exchange
To qualify for a full Ontario Class G license, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Experience: The applicant must have held a valid Kosovo Category B (or higher) license for at least 24 months within the last three years.
- Note: If the license has been held for less than 24 months, a Class G2 license will be issued instead.
- Mandatory Tests: Applicants must pass a vision test and meet all medical requirements set by the province of Ontario.
- Fees: Standard administrative fees according to Ontario law must be paid at the time of application.
Required Documentation
When applying for the exchange, documents must be provided in English or French:
- A valid Kosovo driver’s license with a photograph.
- An original authentication document issued within six months of the application (from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Embassy, or Consulate) verifying the validity and history of the license.
- Acceptable identification documents to prove the applicant’s identity.
The Exchange Process
Once the application is approved, the applicant must surrender their Kosovo driver’s license to Ontario authorities. The exchange will be recorded in the Ontario driver registry, and the physical Kosovo license will be returned to the Republic of Kosovo by the provincial government.
Future Expansion
Ambassador Kryeziu noted that the Embassy in Ottawa is actively coordinating with other Canadian provinces that have significant Kosovar populations to finalize similar agreements across the country.
“Congratulations, and more good news from Canada for Kosovo and its people will continue to arrive in the coming weeks and months,” Kryeziu stated.
