Everything to know about living and working in the Yukon

The ideal solution for getting around the Yukon is to have your own vehicle. It is the best way to travel the remote roads without worries and explore more of the territory. If you have a car or van you can sleep in, or a tent, that will open up opportunities for camping on your road trips.

It is necessary to remember that the distances are large and the area underpopulated. In other words, you could drive 600 km and only come across three other vehicles. Plan accordingly so that you never find yourself lacking gasoline, spare tyres, jacks, coolant, water, food, etc. Remember that if something happens to you outside one of the towns, you will not have cell service, so unless you have a satellite phone, you can’t call for help.

Getting a Yukon driver’s licence

Within 120 days of moving to the Yukon, you must switch your home country driving licence for a Yukon driving licence. This applies even if you have an International Driving Permit (IDP).

If you were elsewhere in Canada before moving to the Yukon, and you already have a different Canadian provincial/territorial licence, you just have to exchange your licence. Citizens from Germany (a sign test is required), the US and the Isle of Man are also eligible for an exchange.

Everyone else will need to complete the Graduated Driver Licensing Program, as if they were a new driver, before they are eligible for a Yukon driving licence.

Buying a car in the Yukon

To find a car in the Yukon, you can browse Kijiji, local Facebook groups (such as Whitehorse, Yukon Buy and Sell), or ads in the local newspaper. There is also Trader Time on the radio, where individuals call in and announce what they want to sell.

For more information, read our in-depth article: Buying a car in Canada.

If I don’t have a car, am I stuck?

Although limited, there are some solutions for those without a vehicle:

• Hitchhiking: It can be dangerous, especially in winter, or depending on the distance you want to travel.
• Carpooling: Works very well if you post ads in hostels on bulletin boards, or in local Facebook groups (like this one for Whitehorse or this one for Dawson). Yukon officials also set up a website to allow safe carpooling.
• Shuttle companies: Husky Bus – Klondike Experience (various locations around Dawson), Alaska/Yukon Trails (between the Yukon and Alaska), or Dyea-Chilkoot Trail Transport Company (between Skagway and Whitehorse). You can also use local tour companies where transportation is included.