Canadian driver’s license, along with authentic car insurance, is extremely crucial if new immigrants seek to drive a car in Canada.
The significance of car insurance
Canadian drivers must possess their vehicle’s insurance coverage or an accurate car insurance plan if they consistently drive their family or friend’s car. The chief objective of an insurance plan is to ensure that the car’s damage falls under proper insured coverage in case of an accident. The insurance coverage cost will also differ based on the selected plan, age, driving record and experience, and the location where an insured individual resides.
Canadian driver’s license
Driver’s licenses are vital for all drivers; hence, they must not leave them behind while driving in Canada. Usually, the provincial or territorial government issues a driver’s license to the individual so they receive permission to drive in a specific region. However, the procedure for acquiring a driver’s license in each province or territory greatly differs depending on their previous driving record. Overall, the procedure commonly comprises two to three driving tests and one written examination concerning road rules.
Driving classes act as an aid to prepare for the driving element of the driver’s license process. Meanwhile, digital resources are accessible to enable test takers for the written section of the exam.
Although driver’s licenses are a requirement for both Canadian citizens and permanent residents, there are a few small differences in the application process that may help Canadian PRs obtain their Canadian driver’s licenses more quickly.
Canadian driver’s license as a new immigrant
New holders of the Canadian Permanent Residence can use an international driver’s license to operate a vehicle in their native province or territory. However, this will apply for a brief period. All holders of international driver’s licenses must also travel with an International Driving Permit from their home nation. IDPs briefly provide the driver with a printed French and English translation of their international license.
International Driver’s licenses also consist of validity periods for new PR holders in each province or territory. They’re as follows:
- Ontario comprises 60 days for Ontario Foreign License Exchange.
- Alberta has 90 days validity- Alberta Foreign License Exchange.
- British Columbia has 90 days validity under British Columbia License Exchange.
- PEI consists of 4 months of validity under the PEI Foreign License Exchange.
- Nova Scotia comprises 90 days under Nova Scotia Foreign License Exchange.
- Manitoba consists of 3 months of validity under the Manitoba Foreign License Exchange.
- Saskatchewan has 90 days under the Saskatchewan Foreign License Exchange.
- Newfoundland and Labrador have three months- Newfoundland and Labrador Foreign License Exchange.
- New Brunswick has no validity period concerning international driver’s licenses.
- Quebec has a six-month validity period under Quebec Foreign License Exchange.
There is no information available for Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and Yukon.
On the whole, new immigrants should acquire a provincial or territorial Canadian license based on the region they reside in.
Acquiring a Canadian driver’s license as a newcomer
Foreign nationals also have the opportunity to exchange their international driver’s license with that of the provincial or territorial driver’s license. However, this is possible only in specific circumstances.
This kind of exchange of a driver’s license enables new immigrants to expedite their process of acquiring a Canadian driver’s license. Additionally, under specific conditions, foreign nationals might be able to altogether leave behind the otherwise mandatory driving tests.
However, these exchanges concerning the driver’s license typically vary from other parts of Canada.
Ontario- as an example
Ontario’s International driver’s license holders have the chance to exchange Ontario’s driver’s license in case they plan to relocate from the below destinations:
- Another Canadian province or territory.
- Belgium, Germany, France, the Isle of Man, Austria, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Great Britain, the United States of America, Taiwan, and Switzerland.
- The Canadian Armed Forces.
However, specific conditions prevent Ontario’s newcomers from exchanging their licenses (from other provinces) for Ontario’s license.
What are the advantages of the driver’s license exchange in Ontario?
Possessing an authentic driver’s license in Ontario indicates that newcomers can expedite their way toward a complete G license based on their driving experience. For instance, newcomers in Canada with successful international licenses for about two years of driving experience shall acquire an Ontario license. However, this is only possible once they complete the license exchange and clear an eye examination. Furthermore, this indicates that they will not require an entire G1 written test, along with a G2 road test or G road test.
While waiting for the 24-month driving experience benchmark, individuals who complete a license exchange but have less than two years of cumulative driving experience (internationally and in Ontario) are exempt from taking Ontario’s regular G1 and G2 examinations. In this instance, new immigrants to Ontario can obtain a full provincial driver’s license by passing simply the G road test. Additionally, they must also pass the eye test administered during the license exchange application with a two-year complete driving experience.
The list in the above section is available for further details regarding driver’s license exchanges in Ontario and other Canadian provinces and territories. Usually, each location has its requirements and regulations for this procedure.
