Saskatchewan Driver's Licence

Saskatchewan Driver's Licence for Newcomers

Introduction

In Saskatchewan, all driver’s licences are issued by SGI. This article will introduce you to the various licence classes, their restrictions, and the steps required to obtain them.

Licence Types

Class 7 (Learner’s Licence)

To obtain a Class 7 licence, you must be at least 16 years old and successfully pass the written knowledge test, which includes rules of the road, road signs, and a vision test.

Class 7 holders are only allowed to drive when accompanied by a supervising driver who holds a full Class 5 (Experienced) licence or higher, seated in the front passenger seat.

Note: Novice drivers are not permitted to supervise.

Restrictions:

Must be supervised by a driver with a full Class 5 or higher licence
Cannot operate a taxi or commercial vehicle
Zero tolerance for alcohol and drugs
Absolutely no cellphone use (even hands-free)
Cannot supervise another driver
You may only carry immediate family members (defined as spouse, children, parents, grandparents, siblings, and in-laws) as passengers between midnight and 5 AM.

Class 5 Novice 1

You qualify for Class 5 Novice 1 if you:

Are at least 16 years old
Have held a Class 7 licence for at least 9 months
Pass the road test

If you do not hold a valid Iranian driver’s licence (with official translation), you are required to complete a mandatory training course before taking the road test, consisting of 6 hours classroom + 6 hours in-car training, which costs approximately $500.

Restrictions:

Cannot operate a taxi or commercial vehicle
Zero tolerance for alcohol and drugs
No cellphone use (including hands-free)
Cannot supervise another driver
Only one passenger may be a non-immediate family member

Class 5 Novice 2

After 12 months of clean driving (no tickets, at-fault accidents, or licence suspensions) as a Novice 1 driver, you are automatically upgraded to Class 5 Novice 2.

Restrictions:

Cannot operate a taxi or commercial vehicle
Zero tolerance for alcohol and drugs
No cellphone use (including hands-free)
Cannot supervise another driver

Class 5 (Experienced)

If you complete another 12 consecutive clean months as a Novice 2 driver, your licence is upgraded to a full Class 5 (Experienced) licence.

Understanding Your SGI Driver’s Licence

Your SGI-issued licence will display:

Your personal information
Licence class
Restriction codes (Rest.) and endorsements (End.)

Example: Restriction code A means “must wear eyeglasses or corrective lenses.”
Your licence expires on the last day of your birth month (or the last day of your study/work permit), so make sure to renew it in time.

Steps to Get Your Licence

1. Knowledge Test (Written Exam)

The first step is passing the written test. Study the Driver’s Handbook here:

https://sgi.sk.ca/handbook

Automatic Persian translation is available on the SGI site and also on the testing computer.

Test location: SGI Main Office – 623 2nd Ave N, Saskatoon
Fee: $25 each time (walk-in, no appointment needed)

For Drivers with an Iranian Licence

If you have a valid Iranian driver’s licence:

Present the original and an official translation at the knowledge test
You will not need to complete the mandatory training course
You can proceed directly to the road test

Important notes:

Expired licences are still accepted as proof of driving history
Letters from Iran’s “Shahrak-e Azmayesh” or other proof of driving history are not required in Saskatchewan.
New bilingual licences still need to be translated
International Driving Permits are not valid proof of an Iranian licence
Translations must be done in Canada by an approved translator. In Saskatoon, the Saskatoon Iranian Cultural Association (SICA) is the only accepted source. Contact us for translation.

2. Road Test (Class 5)

In Saskatoon, you can choose one of three SGI testing centres (Centre, East, or North). The East location is generally considered to be easier with lighter traffic.

Book by phone: 306-683-2320
Or online via MySGI: https://sgi.sk.ca/mysgi
Fee: $55 per test attempt

Important notes:

Vehicle must be in good condition (lights, brakes, mirrors, windshield must be clear and undamaged)
As a learner, you cannot drive yourself to the test
Only you and the examiner are allowed in the car during the test
The test is in English — you must understand basic commands like “turn left,” “stop,” “reverse,” etc.

Road Test Results

There are four possible outcomes:

≤ 9 points, but the examiner is not fully convinced of your driving skills → you receive Class 5 Novice 2
≤ 9 points with the examiner’s full confidence in your skills → you may be issued a full Class 5 (Experienced)
> 9 points → test failed, must reschedule and pay again
Dangerous driving error (e.g., running a red light) → you may be required to complete the 12-hour training course (6+6)

Important Reminder on Alcohol

Even with a full licence, your blood alcohol level must remain below 0.08. Violations are a criminal offence, with serious consequences — including possible revocation of your work or study permit.

Receiving Your Licence

To get your first Class 7 licence, visit any SGI Licensed Issuer office, pay $15, and have your photo taken. You’ll receive a temporary paper licence, and the permanent card will be mailed to you.

Once you pass further steps (e.g., the road test), your new licence will be automatically mailed — no need to revisit the office.

Disclaimer

The information provided in these resources is intended for informational purposes only, and its accuracy is not guaranteed. The Saskatoon Iranian Cultural Association accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of the content or any consequences resulting from the use of the provided information.

These resources are the property of the Saskatoon Iranian Cultural Association and may be freely referenced, provided that a link to the corresponding page on the Association’s website is included.

Saskatchewan Driver's Licence