jimmynoshoes

Hello,

We'll be moving to Ontario in the next few weeks now. My UK licence will be 2 years in December, I'd rather wait for that 2 years before exchanging so I get the full license in Ontario and don't have to do any tests. I've read that licenses should be exchanged within 60 days. Is that IF you wish to continue driving in Ontario? If that is the case, I'll just not drive until December hits then exchange it and not have to do anything. I'll likely return to the UK for a few days before December also, so would want my UK licence for that anyway.

Anyone able to clarify on this?

Edit: Can this please be moved to the general section, put it in the wrong place.

Hurlabrick

Hmmmmm….. That is a good question! My GUESS (and only my guess) is that your plan should be OK.

Siouxie

I would suggest reading the official line rather than hoping that you can slide under the table to a full license. You will have to show proof of driving experience in the UK (i.e. such things as drivers extract / potentially insurance proof) if you are borderline on the experience required to not have to go through graduated licensing... you would get CREDIT for the months you have held your license regardless, so would likely only have to do a few months of graduated licensing (hint - if you take a course your insurance will be lower).

If you don't exchange within 60 days they are likely to ask you why you haven't. You are treading on shaky ground... and to be honest if you are not an experienced driver (i.e. not used to driving on motorways / 8 lane highways etc.,) then a few months on graduated licensing probably wouldn't hurt Adding in to say, if you are moving over in July then you will be 5 months short of experience, it's not like it's just a couple of weeks.. and that's presuming you have been continuously driving since December 17 when you presumably passed your test in the UK. They have been known to ask for the record of your insurance to show proof you have been driving, not just holding the license since you passed.. (as well as the drivers extract which is required) - so be prepared!


https://drivetest.ca/licences/licenc..._exchange.html

for credit: https://drivetest.ca/licences/licenc...e-credits.html

for insurance reduction (courses) https://www.yd.com/blog/lower-auto-i...ver-education/

Hurlabrick

You may also have a bit of a job buying a car if you only have a UK licence - not sure how much (or even if) this is a problem in Ontario. I also suspect you will have the devils own job finding car insurance with a UK licence. Of course not a problem if all you intend to do is RENT a car.

Honestly, your 'workaround' may well cause more problems than it solves.

Twitcher1958

jimmynoshoes

I don't intend to drive there until next year. Might drive a rental occasionally although that is doubtful. I'll be relying on public transport until such time that we can actually afford 2 cars and insurance to go with it. Hence my query of whether I actually have to change my license over or just let it run to December then do it when I might actually intend to drive something. Again, reiterating the point I'll probably be popping back to UK a few months after we land for a week to tie up loose ends, and i'll be driving a car here that i'm already insured on.

Hurlabrick

I believe that if you do this, you will technically not be insured and therefore driving illegally. Your insurance company will very likely refuse liability as you did not change your address with the DVLA when required to do so. You MUST update your address on your UK driving licence when you move. Of course it cannot be updated to a Canadian address as they will tell you, you need to convert it to a Canadian licence. If you have any form of accident in the UK or are stopped for any reason, they will check the address on your licence, that is where a world of hurt will start. See what I mean about your 'workaround' causing problems?

http://www.gov.uk/change-address-driving-licence

Hurlabrick

Oh and OK, it is the Daily Express, but my point regarding invalidating UK car insurance if you don't change address:

http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/...-job-update-UK

jimmynoshoes

Address is currently registered at family, which is also where i'd be living when returning for periods of time, so address doesn't technically need updating at this point, but I get the point you are making.

At the end of the day, I won't be driving in Toronto until next year unless we suddenly get some more money lol, so I'll probably just do what I planned to do. I'll either get lucky and get the 2 years credit, or they'll say no and I'll have a restricted license and a silly test to do.

Siouxie

They may not allow you to get an exchange of license without proof of your continuing to drive for the full 2 years - it's not just holding a license, it's also driving experience.. will you be able to show you have 2 years driving experience by December? The longer you delay exchanging your license after taking up residence in Ontario, the more chance there is of them refusing. Have you got experience in driving an automatic? It's a SIMPLE test, not a silly test.. you would get credit for the time you have held the license and you would likely only have to do the final one, not the whole graduated bit with being supervised with driving for a year.. regardless it's probably a good idea to start reading the drivers handbook online https://www.ontario.ca/document/offi...ivers-handbook


As to the UK side of it, you will not be residing in the UK, so your license won't be valid once you leave and take up residence in Canada.. don't forget DVLC aren't the only government agency that keep tabs on you - you'll need to submit forms to the Inland Revenue if you are leaving the UK too -

GrandmaLynn

Hi, I am doing the same thing as you next month so I will let you know what happens

Engineer_abroad

Siouxie

Are you moving from Alberta to Ontario (I can't remember if you moved to Edmonton or not in the end).. ? Inter Provincial transfer/exchange of license is slightly different; if you have been in Ontario since 2014 then you may be out of luck - there is a requirement to exchange within 60 days... it will be interesting to see what they say. This might help
https://www.ontario.ca/page/exchange...rivers-licence

I don't understand the reluctance of the OP to do this the right way..

J-A-UK

Siouxie

You get credit for 'time served' if you have held a licence but not for the full 2 years.. so for many they would not have to undergo the full graduated licensing rigmarole, missing out the first stage and going onto being able to drive unaccompanied (whilst still having sosme restrictions.. such as not being able to drive after midnight / on 400 series highways).. for however many months they would have left between the amount of 'credit' the received for prior experience and the full 2 years of experience required to exchange

That came from the OFFICIAL Website
https://www.ontario.ca/page/exchange...rivers-licence