The question of driver’s licenses came up recently:

• Can I keep my Canadian Driver’s License?
• What happens if I do?

As usual, the answer is “it depends”.

If you are only wintering in Curacao (or vacationing), definitely keep your Canadian License and keep renewing it.

If you are moving to Curacao permanently, the question becomes more complex.

From the Curacao side; some people have lived in Curaçao for decades and still keep the license from their home country. It is possible that at some point, a cop or someone may tell you that you need to change it, but until then, it seems to be just fine.

From the Canadian side; it comes down to “ties”. Too many “ties” can end up with you being considered a tax resident of Canada, even if you live away. (see our Taxes for Canadians in Curaçao page for an explanation of “ties”)

This is from my tax specialist: “A Canadian driver’s license is considered a secondary tie to Canada so by itself, it should not be a concern but if you have several secondary ties to Canada (driver’s license, passport, several bank accounts, personal effects, social memberships, use of provincial health care, spending a fair amount of time in Canada) then it may be a reason for concern.”

So, once again, my answer is, “it depends.”

You will have to examine your specific set of variables, consult with a tax expert, and decide for yourself what is best for you.

Welcome to Curacao…lol

Note: getting a license in Curaçao isn’t that tough. There’s a written test and a road test. In the old days, the road test had to be done in a manual transmission. I’m not aware if this is still true. Remember, the donkey always has right of way. (This was a question on the test when my mom wrote it in the 70s. haha)

Other Note: People often ask about getting an “international driving permit.” All this does is make the driver’s license from your home country valid in countries that take part in that program. You still need a valid license, whether it’s from Canada or from Curaçao, so this brings you back to the top of this page. Goats also have the right of way, in case you were wondering.

For information on the rules of the road, etc., see our Driving in Curaçao page.