Moving to Another Province: Health Card, Licence, Car

Moving to another province: health card, licence and car

By MoverDash Research Team · Reviewed by Ridvan Oral, Founder & CEO, MoverDash · Last updated October 13, 2026

Fact-checked against official sources on October 13, 2026. General information, not legal advice. MoverDash is free for customers; movers pay to reach customers who share their details.

Health coverage: register early to avoid a gap

A province can make new residents wait for health coverage, but never longer than 3 months. During that time, the province you left keeps paying for insured care (Canada Health Act, s. 11).

Health coverage when you move from another province
Moving to	Waiting period	What to know
Ontario	None	You must be in Ontario for at least 153 of your first 183 days, and 153 days in any 12 months (source)
British Columbia	Rest of your arrival month, plus 2 months	Apply for MSP right after you arrive, and keep your former province’s coverage during the wait (source)
Québec	Up to 3 months after you register with the RAMQ	Your former province’s plan covers you during the wait (source)
Alberta	Apply within 3 months of arriving	Applies if you’re moving from another province or territory for a year or more (source)

Driver’s licence and vehicle

You can keep driving on your old licence for a while after you move, but each province sets a deadline to switch:

Deadlines to switch your driver’s licence
Moving to	Switch your licence within	Source
Ontario	60 days	Ontario.ca
British Columbia	90 days	ICBC
Alberta	90 days	Alberta.ca
Québec	You may drive on it for 6 months (not for heavy vehicles)	SAAQ

Your car needs new plates too. In Alberta, you must register it within 90 days of moving (Alberta.ca). Check the deadline with your new province’s licensing office.

Your moving checklist

Before you go: book your movers and get written quotes. Our guide to comparing moving quotes shows what each one should include.
The week you arrive: apply for health coverage. BC asks you to apply right away.
In the first weeks: change your address everywhere. Our change of address checklist has the deadlines.
Within 60 to 90 days: switch your driver’s licence, and register your car.
Until your new coverage starts: keep your old health card.

Questions people ask

Do I need private health insurance while I wait?

It can help. Your former province keeps covering insured doctor and hospital care while you wait (Canada Health Act). Prescription drugs and ambulance trips may not be fully covered. Health Canada advises having enough coverage when you move, which may include private insurance (Health Canada).

Can I keep driving on my old licence?

Yes, until the deadline: 60 days in Ontario, 90 days in BC and Alberta, and 6 months in Québec for a regular licence.

When should I apply for health coverage?

As soon as you arrive. BC asks you to apply right after arriving rather than at the end of the wait, and Alberta gives you 3 months to apply.

What changed

October 13, 2026: First published.
October 13, 2026: Health coverage: added what may not be covered while you wait, and Health Canada’s advice on private insurance.