cguarany

Hi all,

I am moving from Australia to Canada (Ontario) next month.

I came across to this Web site http://www.mto.gov.on.ca:80/english/...r/exchange.htm that shows a list of countries that have a reciprocal driver’s licence agreement with Ontario.

Surprisingly I haven't seen Australia on the list since I know that Australia (NSW) rerecognizes Canadian licences http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/...countries.html

What's wrong? Isn't it supposed to be reciprocal?

Any clues? I am very disappointed in having to take all the driving tests again after 20 years!

Cheers

ireland2canada

Try being from Northern Ireland. It is part of the United Kingdom, yet Ontario does not recognise a NI driving licence. Every other part of the UK is fine, not us lot.
My point is, it just doesn't always make sense. Sorry!

dazzlerdaz

It seems a strange system ! I could exchange a car license but they wont do it for my motorcycle license ? so i have to re-take my test :curse: !

As for not being able to exchange one from NI but the rest of the UK is fine....well thats just plain silly !

Guess we just have to bite the bullet and start again

ireland2canada

Eh?!
Weird.

Angiej19

We have friends who moved from N Ireland to Alberta and they where able to exchange licences without any hassle

Judy in Calgary

That may have been true of your friends but, if it was, it was a slip up on the part of the person who dealt with them at the Registry Office.

The Service Alberta website specifically states:

A valid licence from a country that has a reciprocal agreement with Alberta, includes Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain (excluding Northern Ireland), can be exchanged for a Class 5 when the applicant is presenting a valid licence of equivalent class.

I mention it because anyone who is coming to Alberta with a driver's licence from Northern Ireland should not take comfort from your post and assume that he/she will get away without a test. There are people from Northern Ireland who have had to do the practical driving test in Alberta.
x

dazzlerdaz

Hi Judy

Any idea why they will take a Car license but not a Motorcycle license because the bike test in the UK is very strict !

R I C H

Because it's their game, their rules. You won't find a reason for it stated anywhere, just accept it and take the test if you want entitlement.

The UK bike test IMO doesn't prepare a rider very well at all, except for very basic control. You learn nothing about counter-steering, for example.

dazzlerdaz

How difficult will the test be in Toronto ? Do they make you counter steer for example or do they just want my money ?

R I C H

I'm sorry, I've no idea what the test in Toronto entails. I live in BC. I suspect if you've spent any reasonable amount of time riding a bike you shouldn't have a problem with the test.

dazzlerdaz

Guess i`ll just have to shut up and pay up ! Maybe they think i ride a right hand drive bike in the UK ? LOL

Angiej19

Their friends from N Ireland have also been able to exchange their licences without doing a test so surely it can't happen to two different couples who arrived in Canada months apart!