Saskatchewan Driver’s License – How to Apply

Driving in Canada is a fantastic opportunity to learn about a new nation. After all, there’s a bountiful and breathtaking landscape from coast to coast to have fun.

To drive lawfully in Canada, you’ll need a driver’s license issued by your province or territory.

Here’s everything you need to know about getting a Saskatchewan driver’s license and some of the unique requirements to keep in mind when you’re behind the wheel for newcomers.

A Summary Of Saskatchewan Driver’s License Laws

Saskatchewan has a Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program in place to help novice drivers avoid the dangers of driving in a province with ice and snow. The GDL curriculum has three levels: learner, novice 1, and novice 2.

Your driver’s license will show your current status. A knowledge test, a sign test, a driving program, and one road test are all required.

This technique is intended to provide rookie drivers with plenty of hands-on experience before allowing them to drive on their own with few to no limitations.

In Saskatchewan, there are three types of driver’s licenses:

1. A Learner’s Permit/License 

In Saskatchewan, obtaining a Class 7 learner’s permit is the first step toward becoming a licensed driver.

If you participate in a High School Driver Education Program, you can apply at the age of 15. Otherwise, you must be 16 years old and have parental or guardian agreement if you are under the age of 18.

A knowledge test, a sign exam, and a vision test are also required. Before progressing to the next level, you must hold a learner’s license for at least nine months and complete your driving education.

The most restrictions apply to this sort of license, which include:

• For at least 12 months, drive with a supervised driver who holds a full Class 5 license.

• They don’t drink alcohol and don’t have any narcotics in their system.

• There will be no cell phone use, either hand-held or hands-free.

• Unless you’re driving with a family member, don’t drive between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m.

• A functional seat belt is required for each passenger.

• Driving education must be completed either in high school or in a commercial vehicle for a total of six hours in class and six hours in the automobile.

Read also:  Exchanging A Foreign Driving License – Canada

2. Class 5 Novice 1 License

Obtaining a Class 5 Novice 1 license is the next step. To be eligible, you must be at least 16 years old with parental consent, have maintained a Class 7 learner’s permit for at least nine months, and have completed the required driving education.

You’ll also have to pass a 20-minute road exam that measures your ability to start, stop, turn, make proper lane changes, park, and drive safely. You must have held a Class 5 Novice 1 license for at least six months before applying.

• Other limitations apply, such as:

• They don’t drink alcohol and don’t have any narcotics in their system.

• There will be no cell phone use, either hand-held or hands-free.

• Only one passenger can be someone who is not a member of the immediate family.

3. Class 5 Novice 2 Driver

After six months of practice as a Class 1 Novice driver, you will be issued a valid Class 5 Novice 2 license. You will be required to practice driving for 12 months.

• Other limitations apply, such as:

• They don’t drink alcohol and don’t have any narcotics in their system.

• There will be no cell phone use, either hand-held or hands-free.

• A functional seat belt is required for each passenger.

• You can’t be a learner’s supervising driver.

How To Apply And Get Your driver’s License In Saskatchewan 

You can lawfully drive in Saskatchewan if you are a visitor with a valid full driver’s license from another province or nation.

It is suggested that you have an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) from your home country if your foreign license is not in English or French.

After establishing in Saskatchewan, new residents can use their present international driver’s license for up to 90 days.

If you don’t already have a driver’s license and want to earn one in Saskatchewan, you must be at least 15 years old and enrolled in a High School Driver’s Education program.

To apply, you must be at least 16 years old. Anyone under the age of 18 requires parental or guardian permission. 

A basic knowledge exam and a sign exam are required to obtain a learner’s license.

The following are the steps involved:

• Study the Saskatchewan Driver’s Handbook and take their online practice quiz to prepare for the basic knowledge and signs exams.

• To take the exam, make an appointment at a driver exam center or book and prepay online with MySGI.

• To take the exam, you must pay a $25 CAD fee.

• You must pass a vision exam.

• Show two pieces of valid identification that show your identity and your Saskatchewan residency.

• You will acquire your learner’s license and be designated a learner with a Class 7 license once you pass the knowledge exam.

• Pay either five annual installments of $25 CAD, totaling $125 CAD, or one upfront payment of $100 CAD for a driver’s license.

• After that, you must wait at least nine months before applying for a Novice 1 license.

Driving In Saskatchewan And What You Need To Know

Even if you’ve been driving for more than 20 years, it’s a good idea to educate yourself about Saskatchewan’s road rules before getting behind the wheel. The reason is that there are some rules that you may not be familiar with in your home country.

The following are some Saskatchewan road rules:

• You must wear a seatbelt as a driver, and you are responsible for ensuring that all passengers under the age of 16 are securely restrained in a child car seat. If you are detected, you may be penalized.

• The speed of a vehicle is measured in kilometers per hour. The maximum speed in urban areas is 50 km/h, 80 km/h on provincial highways located inside a city limit and on rural roads, and 110 km/h on provincial highways.

• Cyclists must adhere to the same laws as drivers, but drivers must be aware of them.

• It is permissible to turn right at a red light if you come to a complete stop first, wait until the road is free, and give pedestrians the right of way. A sign banning a right-hand turn on a red light may be posted at select intersections.

• At a four-way stop, come to a complete stop and take turns driving through in the sequence of arrival at the stop. If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the right is allowed to go first. You must, however, proceed only if it is safe to do so.

• When approaching a stopped school bus with its red light flashing and/or stop sign active, drivers must stop no closer than five meters away.

This includes situations where the bus driver is behind the wheel or the bus is approaching. Slow down and prepare to stop if you encounter a bus with flashing amber lights.

Wait until the bus moves on or the bus driver indicates that it is safe to proceed. You only need to stop if you’re traveling on a split highway with a median and you’re behind a school bus. Passing a halted school bus is a serious violation that could result in a fine.

• Before proceeding, you must come to a complete stop at a pedestrian crossing and enable people to safely cross to the opposite side of the road.

• You must safely move over and stop for emergency vehicles with flashing lights and sirens, such as police, ambulances, or fire trucks. You can resume your journey once the emergency vehicle has safely passed.

• Hand-held cell phone use, reading printed materials, personal grooming, or entering information into a GPS unit are all prohibited while driving. If you break this rule, you could face hefty fines and penalty points.

• It is illegal to drive while inebriated. The legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in Saskatchewan is 0.08 percent. However, there are repercussions for drivers with a BAC of 0.04 percent or above.

• Passing on the right or left is permitted, although passing on the left is more common and expected, making it a safer option for passing.

• Driving a car without adequate car insurance is unlawful in Saskatchewan.

Read also:  Which Countries’ Driving Licenses Can Be Exchanged In BC Canada?

Applying For A New Driver’s License In Saskatchewan Based On Previous Driving Experience In Your Home Country

You may fall into one of the following categories if you have prior driving experience and a valid driver’s license in your home country:

1. You’re Moving From A Country With A Reciprocal Driver’s License Agreement With Saskatchewan.

Eligible Countries:

Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Isle of Man, Japan, Jersey, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom (including England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland), United States.

The following is the procedure for obtaining a local driver’s license in Saskatchewan:

At a motor license issuer, you can exchange your existing license from your native country.

Criteria for eligibility:

Proof of at least two years of driving experience on a full license that is comparable to or higher than a Class 5 license.

The following are the steps involved:

Bring the following items to a motor vehicle license issuer:

• Your foreign driver’s license must be valid.

• If your driver’s license isn’t in French or English, it’s a good idea to seek an official translation.

• Two or more years of driving experience are required.

• A letter from your prior motor insurer might serve as proof of claims history.

• Identification and proof of residency are required.

• The fee must be paid:

In Saskatchewan, a five-year license costs $100 CAD, or $25 CAD every year for five years.

You are considered a new driver if you have fewer than two years of driving experience on a full license.

You must apply for admission to the GDL program and will be placed in the appropriate stage based on how long you have been driving in your previous jurisdiction. There will be no requirement for you to take an exam.

2. Moving From A Country With No Reciprocal Arrangement For Driver’s License.

You cannot exchange your driver’s license if you are moving from a nation that does not have a reciprocal agreement with Saskatchewan.

You’ll be classified as a new driver and will need to enroll in the GDL program. However, if you can demonstrate that you have been driving for more than two years, the GDL learning period and/or education may be removed.

Steps involved: 

• Apply for the GDL program at a motor vehicle issuer.

• Proof of two additional years as a seasoned driver is required.

• Bring your current international driver’s license with you.

• Provide a certified translation of the license if it is not in English.

• Your experience will be evaluated by the driver development team.

• The government may require a license confirmation or driving extract if your driving experience cannot be validated.

• A road test will be required, which will cost $55 CAD.

• You may be required to practice as a learner and finish an approved driver training program, or you may be awarded a novice license, depending on the results of the road test.

• Pay a $100 CAD charge for a five-year driver’s license, or $25 CAD every year.

If you have fewer than two years of driving experience in a country where there is no reciprocal agreement:

• You won’t be able to exchange it for a Saskatchewan driver’s license.

• Apply for the GDL program at a motor vehicle issuer.

• After passing a knowledge exam and a vision test, as well as paying the required amount, you will be proclaimed a learner driver.

Conclusion 

Do well to follow the steps and guidelines above to Apply and get your Saskatchewan Driver’s License.  Good luck!