France and Newfoundland and Labrador Enter into a Driver's Licence Reciprocity Agreement

Residents of the Republic of France, including St. Pierre and Miquelon, who come to Newfoundland and Labrador to live, study or work will now have their drivers' licence recognized. The agreement also allows the same for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians living in France.

"Newfoundland and Labrador is a wonderful place to live and work with some of the best facilities to offer anyone," said the Honourable Kevin O'Brien, Minister of Government Services. "Agreements such as this provide an easier transition for anyone immigrating or doing business. It makes the burden of moving to a new location less daunting."

"The signature of the agreement on driver's licence exchange is a major step that is highly desirable for the development of relations between Newfoundland and Labrador and France," said His Excellency, François Delattre, Ambassador of France in Canada. "It will ease the life of our citizens on both sides of the Atlantic, including St. Pierre and Miquelon. We thank the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for the very efficient cooperation which made it possible."

The Highway Traffic Act allows for this type of reciprocal agreement with other jurisdictions. It exempts requirements for personal vehicles and motorcycles for written, vision and road test requirements and essentially allows for an exchange of these driver's licences.

The Provincial Government has previously entered into similar agreements with the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and South Korea.

Video of News Conference (wmv format)

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