Do you need to retake driving test to live and drive in Canada?
Jan 12th 2018, 7:41 am
#1
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Do you need to retake driving test to live and drive in Canada?
Hi guys
Can you use your UK international drivers license to drive in Canada? As in living in Canada rather than visiting, I.e. Buying and owning a car?
I've seen some info (ontario) that says you can convert your international license for 12 months at a time, but then also says if you are living there you need to get a license within 60 days???
To get a Canadian license do you have to sit a driving test , or do they just convert your uk license and you pay them for the privilege?
Can you use your UK international drivers license to drive in Canada? As in living in Canada rather than visiting, I.e. Buying and owning a car?
I've seen some info (ontario) that says you can convert your international license for 12 months at a time, but then also says if you are living there you need to get a license within 60 days???
To get a Canadian license do you have to sit a driving test , or do they just convert your uk license and you pay them for the privilege?
Jan 12th 2018, 7:44 am
#2
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Re: Do you need to retake driving test to live and drive in Canada?
Jan 12th 2018, 11:43 am
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Re: Do you need to retake driving test to live and drive in Canada?
Jan 12th 2018, 11:44 am
#4
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Re: Do you need to retake driving test to live and drive in Canada?
You can just exchange your GB driving licence for an Ontario driver's license.
https://www.ontario.ca/page/exchange...rivers-licence
https://www.ontario.ca/page/exchange...rivers-licence
Jan 12th 2018, 11:47 am
#5
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Jan 12th 2018, 12:32 pm
#6
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Re: Do you need to retake driving test to live and drive in Canada?
No you exchange your UK driving licence. They then charge you for that privilege, as it then gets sent back to the UK. Make sure you have all the correct paperwork with you, and make sure it is with in the dates they mention, as this will mean they do not process your application at the time.
If you wear glasses, make sure you have them with you at the time, as this also means they will not process your application. I only mention this, as when I went in a young girl in the next booth failed to complete the eye sight test and then told them she did not have her glasses with her.
So they rejected her application, telling her to come back with her glasses. Honestly not sure why she forgot them, if she knew she would need them. Simple over sight, maybe!
As a side note, make sure you get valid documents for car insurance. The wiki mentioned, will give you the details. Otherwise you will get stung for higher car insurance.
Ultimate Drivers
I was also recommended something like this, which would also reduce my car insurance premiums.
If you wear glasses, make sure you have them with you at the time, as this also means they will not process your application. I only mention this, as when I went in a young girl in the next booth failed to complete the eye sight test and then told them she did not have her glasses with her.
So they rejected her application, telling her to come back with her glasses. Honestly not sure why she forgot them, if she knew she would need them. Simple over sight, maybe!
As a side note, make sure you get valid documents for car insurance. The wiki mentioned, will give you the details. Otherwise you will get stung for higher car insurance.
Ultimate Drivers
I was also recommended something like this, which would also reduce my car insurance premiums.
Jan 12th 2018, 1:21 pm
#7
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Re: Do you need to retake driving test to live and drive in Canada?
Yes, but Ontario does not convert any motorcycle licence you may have (although some other provinces do). You have to take the Canadian tests. They do let you skip the two year experience period if you can demonstrate you already had that experience in the UK.
Also worth saying that tto convert in Ontario, you must go to one of the special Services Ontario Drive Test centres, you cant just rock up at any old Services Ontario office. Recommend you line up half an hour before they open as wait times can be fierce!
Also worth saying that tto convert in Ontario, you must go to one of the special Services Ontario Drive Test centres, you cant just rock up at any old Services Ontario office. Recommend you line up half an hour before they open as wait times can be fierce!
Last edited by Hurlabrick; Jan 12th 2018 at 1:23 pm.
Jan 12th 2018, 3:51 pm
#8
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Re: Do you need to retake driving test to live and drive in Canada?
Hmmm yes, it needs work. I'll have a go, especially for Ontario then throw it open to similar updates for the other provinces.
Jan 12th 2018, 7:11 pm
#9
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Re: Do you need to retake driving test to live and drive in Canada?
Yes, but Ontario does not convert any motorcycle licence you may have (although some other provinces do). You have to take the Canadian tests. They do let you skip the two year experience period if you can demonstrate you already had that experience in the UK.
Also worth saying that tto convert in Ontario, you must go to one of the special Services Ontario Drive Test centres, you cant just rock up at any old Services Ontario office. Recommend you line up half an hour before they open as wait times can be fierce!
Also worth saying that tto convert in Ontario, you must go to one of the special Services Ontario Drive Test centres, you cant just rock up at any old Services Ontario office. Recommend you line up half an hour before they open as wait times can be fierce!
Yep I found that out myself. Avoid going to Brampton. Wait times crazy, I went to the one near Toronto. East of Huontario, about 20 mins away. Would need to dig out the address but wait times very quick to get through.
Brampton on the other hand was going to take me at least 3 hours.
Jan 13th 2018, 2:53 pm
#10
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Re: Do you need to retake driving test to live and drive in Canada?
Thanks guys!
When you say exchange your drivers licence, does that mean they take your UK drivers licence away so you no longer have a UK drivers licence for when you travel back to the UK for visits etc???
When you say exchange your drivers licence, does that mean they take your UK drivers licence away so you no longer have a UK drivers licence for when you travel back to the UK for visits etc???
Jan 13th 2018, 2:55 pm
#11
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Re: Do you need to retake driving test to live and drive in Canada?
Correct. You should use your Ontario licence when visiting the UK. If you move back to the UK then you can exchange your Ontario licence for your GB licence for free.
Jan 13th 2018, 2:55 pm
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Re: Do you need to retake driving test to live and drive in Canada?
Jan 13th 2018, 2:55 pm
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Re: Do you need to retake driving test to live and drive in Canada?
And it's a £1000 fine if caught driving on a licence with an incorrect address on!
HTH.
Jan 13th 2018, 2:56 pm
#14
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Re: Do you need to retake driving test to live and drive in Canada?
They do take your UK licence away. You can drive on your Canadian Province licence in the UK while visiting.
Feb 3rd 2018, 8:32 am
#15
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Re: Do you need to retake driving test to live and drive in Canada?
Hi guys
Can you use your UK international drivers license to drive in Canada? As in living in Canada rather than visiting, I.e. Buying and owning a car?
I've seen some info (ontario) that says you can convert your international license for 12 months at a time, but then also says if you are living there you need to get a license within 60 days???
To get a Canadian license do you have to sit a driving test , or do they just convert your uk license and you pay them for the privilege?
Can you use your UK international drivers license to drive in Canada? As in living in Canada rather than visiting, I.e. Buying and owning a car?
I've seen some info (ontario) that says you can convert your international license for 12 months at a time, but then also says if you are living there you need to get a license within 60 days???
To get a Canadian license do you have to sit a driving test , or do they just convert your uk license and you pay them for the privilege?
If you hold a British driving licence then you don't need to retake a driving test in Canada.
You simply swap your British licence with a Canadian one. I think there's also an admin cost of around $75.
If you do return to the UK, you can then exchange your drivers licence back. I personally would apply for a new British licence so that you can keep the Canadian licence.
Hope this helps.
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