Dotty P

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.

JB0591

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.

Dotty P

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

JB0591

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.

Dotty P

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

JB0591

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.

Dotty P

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

Oink

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

Novocastrian

^^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.

Former Lancastrian

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

Oink

Fish finder my arse. More like a fish frustrater.

Piff Poff

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.

printer

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.

el_richo

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

Siouxie

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