17 yr old, learning to drive in Ontario
 

:eek:

Hello all, we're moving to Ontario end June (not sure where yet but will start, most probably, around Oakville area). Our son turned 17 in Feb but has decided to leave learning to drive until we get to Canada so he can learn from scratch driving on the other side. Just a small query. He doesn't want to learn in an automatic car, will that be a problem since we've heard that we're more likely to be driving an automatic car there?

Thanks in advance.

Re: 17 yr old, learning to drive in Ontario
 

The only issue will be not all driving instructors will have a manual car but that just means you need to take more time identifying one.

As for what you drive it depends on what you buy, there is more automatics here but you can find manuals and buy cars new that are manual.

Re: 17 yr old, learning to drive in Ontario
 

Thanks for your reply! May I ask, why are there so many auto cars? :confused:

Re: 17 yr old, learning to drive in Ontario
 

It is just the norm....now just to let you know if your family or son returns to the UK permamently, he wont get a full licence from DLVA when exchanging his Canadian licence. He will get Auto only licence until he takes a test in a manual car.

Just wanted to mention it as he needs to be aware of that.

Re: 17 yr old, learning to drive in Ontario
 

Oh! What, even if he takes his test with a manual car in Canada? He won't be chuffed to hear that!

Re: 17 yr old, learning to drive in Ontario
 

The Canadian licence does not make any reference to Auto/Manual, unlike the UK. Whilst most Canadian provinces/territories will change a UK licence to a Canadian (with test if held UK for more than 2 years). The same is not held the other way round. The UK does not hold the Canadian one in such regard.

Even if your son took the UK test if he does not have 2 years behind him he will still do a road test here.

Re: 17 yr old, learning to drive in Ontario
 

Thanks JB, glad I asked now! Appreciate your help....:)

Re: 17 yr old, learning to drive in Ontario
 

Because they're lazy and not many of them can figure out how to operate a manual gearbox.

Re: 17 yr old, learning to drive in Ontario
 

^^That plus the truth is a manual is bit tiring if you're unfortunate enough to have to commute along the 401 or the Gardiner in Toronto. The near-perpetual gridlock means a lot of clutch work.

That said, of the last 8 cars my OH and myself have driven, only one was a auto. It was shit.

Re: 17 yr old, learning to drive in Ontario
 

I guess we could say the same about them using a fish finder or a GPS instead of a map;)

Re: 17 yr old, learning to drive in Ontario
 

Fish finder my arse. More like a fish frustrater. :frown:

Re: 17 yr old, learning to drive in Ontario
 

My daughters driving instructor has advised even though she is learning standard transmission to also have a couple of auto lessons and to take the test in an auto as it's easier. We're in Alberta.

Re: 17 yr old, learning to drive in Ontario
 

Oh yes both sons took test in an auto as it's one less thing to think about but both bought manual cars and think that autos are for pensioners and Canadians that cannot drive. :lol:

Re: 17 yr old, learning to drive in Ontario
 

That's not true, sorry. Our Canadian friends and my wife got full UK licenses after passing and learning auto.

Re: 17 yr old, learning to drive in Ontario
 

Sorry, that is no longer the case.

Canadian licences
If you are the holder of a Canadian licence you will receive automatic transmission only when exchanging for a British licence. This can only be upgraded to manual upon presentation of confirmation, from the relevant licensing authority, of a manual test being passed.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring...nce/DG_4022562