Insurance questions? Click here to ask
Insurance Bureau of Canada/mb/Auto/Graduated Licensing

Graduated Licensing

​​​To become fully licensed, new Manitoba drivers must pass all stages of the province’s graduated licensing program. ​

How Do I Get Insured As a New Driver?

Before you buy auto insurance, you need to apply to complete Manitoba’s 3-stage licensing process and meet basic qualifications set out by the government. To get started, you must:

  • ​Be at least 16 years old, or be at least 15 years and 6 months old and enrolled in a high-school driver education course
  • Have consent from a parent or legal guardian if you are less than 18 years of age
  • Pass a knowledge test 
  • Meet the vision and medical standards
  • Pay the required licence charges and insurance premiums.

As a novice driver, it’s important to understand the many unique restrictions that apply to the Learner, Intermediate and Full licences.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Fully Licensed Driver?

It will take a minimum of 4 to 5 years to complete all stages of graduated licensing. In Manitoba, the Learner stage takes a minimum of 9 months and the Intermediate stage takes at least 15 months to complete. For your first 3 years as a Full stage driver, you will continue to be part of the graduated licensing program. 

Why Are There So Many Steps to Get Licensed?

Novice drivers cause many traffic-related deaths and injuries. In response to accident statistics and successful licensing systems used in other countries, Canada’s provincial and territorial governments introduced new driver standards in the mid-2000s.  

Most programs include a multi-stage system with mandatory learner and intermediate stages that take place over set time periods before graduation to a full licence. 

​What Happens To My Insurance If My Licence Is Suspended?

You must report your licence suspension to your insurer immediately. 

If you violate the no-alcohol requirement or other graduated licensing restrictions, your driver’s licence may be suspended. 

IBC and Best Practices for Graduated Licensing in Canada

IBC has a history of advocating for improved road safety across the country. In 2005, with IBC’s support, the Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF), an independent charitable road safety institute, created a report about best practices for graduated licensing in Canada​.  

IBC circulated a draft of this report​ to all relevant contacts in driver licensing agencies, or their equivalent, in all jurisdictions across Canada.