REGINA — Effective immediately, people holding a Ukrainian passenger vehicle licence can exchange for a Saskatchewan driver’s licence, according to SGI.
The change applies to anyone holding a full-stage Ukrainian category B passenger vehicle licence, which is the equivalent of a Saskatchewan Class 5 licence.
“We are doing what we can to alleviate some of the challenges faced by people displaced by the war in Ukraine as they relocate to our province,” said Penny McCune, president and CEO of SGI.
Saskatchewan already holds driver’s licence reciprocity agreements with 16 other countries, which means SGI recognizes those countries’ Class 5 (or Class 5 equivalent) drivers’ licences as equal.
The reciprocity policy does not apply to motorcycle or commercial vehicle licences.
To exchange a licence, a driver can attend an SGI motor licence issuer with their Ukrainian B (or BE) licence to exchange for a Saskatchewan Class 5 licence, and provide supporting documentation that proves identity, Saskatchewan residency and entitlement to be in Canada. Click here for more information about acceptable documentation.
A driver’s abstract/driving record will not be required. Normally, a driver’s abstract, dated within 30 days is required for reciprocity. Due to the situation in Ukraine, SGI recognizes that it may not be possible for drivers to get a current driver’s abstract, the press release states.
Last month, Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) announced a similar move, following an analysis of Ukrainian driver education requirements and testing standards. MPI shared that work, which aided SGI in doing its own analysis.