Driving liscences??????
 

I have had mixed reports on this so if anyone can clarify it once and for all it would be hugely appreicated.

Can i convert my british driving liscence to a canadian (ontario) one without any sort of hassle, or will i have to re-take a test when i arrive? I have held my liscence for 12 years.

Re: Driving liscences??????
 

It's no problem you just give them some cash, do a quick eye test there and then and they swap it for you.

Re: Driving liscences??????
 

Easier than BC, we had to go through theory and practical tests, no exchange system here.

Re: Driving liscences??????
 

Hi kazchug,

What does the BC driving test consist of? Anything scary or is it a walk in the park?

Cheers.

Re: Driving liscences??????
 

As lucieg said you can just exchange your licence. Here's a link for more info;

http://www.drivetest.ca/en/license/E...eciprocal.aspx

It should also tell you somewhere on there where all the offices are. :thumbsup:

Re: Driving liscences??????
 

The theory was fine after studying the book, but the road test was a challenge. My husband failed the first time as he drove similar to the UK, like keeping below the speed limit and moving over to the right after turning corners. Then was told he drove to slow and why did you keep moving over???? So he took a couple of driving lesson to find out what the examiner wants, passed it onto me, then a week later we both passed...... Hope that helps!!! It's still a nerve racking experience....

Re: Driving liscences??????
 

I read the book and found the BC test not bad so questions felt like they were set up to trap you a little but I still passes easy. The driving I had to slow down on the school area's but again an easy test. My husband found the written test nerve wracking and the driving he did in 20 mins, the guy who did his test said we know you Brits can drive just take me around the block.
Read the book though.

Re: Driving liscences??????
 

I wish it was like that for me here in Ontario. I had to take a test when I arrived here. I must admit I really enjoy driving test. Very easy test in automatic. Even if you past in automatic and never had an OZ of experience in a manual. You can drive straight from the test center. How mess up it that. LOL can you imagine that in England. In England you are not aloud to do that drive a manual if you have past only in a auto, you have special automatic license. Because it requires a lot more skilled on the driver in a Manual. You would be surprised at the mount of people i've seen over the years learning a manual on their own in TO rush hour. :unsure:

Partly why I think the driving standards are so bad here. I think all people should learn to drive a manual first. It would get rid of a lot of bad drivers.

Anyway I drove my car to the test centre. It only lasted 10 minutes and I got a perfect score. he laugh at me when I started to do push and pull with the steering wheel...... :thumbup:

I love my British test too....The Examiner complained at the end. That I had told him what to many sighs were. So he could not really asked me any road sign questions. He also said I chatted every move of what my intention were in the car, which he found very annoying. He said as left the car in a whisper quiet voice you've past. :thumbsup:

Re: Driving liscences??????
 

As you have probably guessed by now, it depends on the province. I understand that in Ontario you can just swap it over.

Re: Driving liscences??????
 

^ This information is correct for Ontario. This is the best link you can have for MTO.

Re: Driving liscences??????
 

What book is it you need to read? I have tried to find a highway code/rules of the road online but with no luck. Is their a time restriction on driving in BC with a UK license? We hired a car on our recce and found that after the initial terror of driving on the right you soon got used to it, although turning right on a red light was a bit unnerving.

Re: Driving liscences??????
 

Hope I get this dude as my examiner, was he drinking a beer at the same time :rofl:

Re: Driving liscences??????
 

For BC it is here.

Re: Driving liscences??????
 

i flicked through the book for a few mins (pick one up from any ICBC license centre), took the online ICBC practice test a few times (it looks exactly like the real test and the questions are very similar).

i found the road test simple enough, lots of shoulder checks, mirror checks. stop at stop signs, turn into the correct lane at junctions - not the inside one like we do in the uk, don't speed at all through school and play zones.

but the OH failed as she went to fast in a play zone, she missed the sign.
but as she failed they took her uk license away :( and gave her a learner permit so no she can't drive on her own ! luckily it didn't affect us but if i'd have failed we would be screwed as i take her to work and our daughter to school etc... so use the car all day

so just beware in BC that if you are on your own and need to drive but fail the test you won't be able to drive on your own as they will take your license off you and give you a bc learner permit.

Re: Driving liscences??????
 

Thanks for the link JonboyE, very much appreciated.:thumbup:

Re: Driving liscences??????
 

Hi,

I've been in BC for just under 2 months and just skimming the above messages.

OMG: I didn't realise they can take your UK licence away from you if you fail your test here!

I'm quite dreading doing the test.
I have the book but not looked at it and I attempted the online practice theory test - I narrowly failed - I found some of the terminology is different (its in Canadian!). I will read/study the book and hope this will assist.

Im thinking of taking some driving lessons so I get used to road and driving on the right hand side.
Did anyone bother doing this?
How long did it take to get used to driving on the right? Will I need many lessons?

I didn't drive that much in the UK, maybe thats a good thing so I don't have (m)any driving habits.

How long did it take to book for the practical test and any tips for it please?

PS: I swear that when I do get a car I will need to put a note on the dashboard to remind myself to stick to the right!!!

Advices appreciated.
Many thanx,
S

Re: Driving liscences??????
 

Driving on the right-hand side isn't so bad because as the driver you also sit on the opposite side of the car too. This means, as the driver, you should always be closer to the centre line and NEVER nearest to the kerb - the same as the UK.

After being here 2 years, I returned to the UK for 8 days and felt THEY were driving on the wrong side of the road :eek:. I drove for daily for over 20 years in the UK.

Here is a fantastic website for all Canadian provinces driver's handbooks and associated info:

http://www.drivershandbook.com/topic/2/ :thumbsup:

Re: Driving liscences??????
 

i found it really simple to switch, just took a day for my brain to adjust, found it hard to drive and navigate at the same time. after about a month i could do both easily so knew i'd fully adjusted to the other side

it is only at certain junctions where my brain still freeze's and i'd have to check where i should go.

there are a couple of roads here that when you drive down they split and every time i still think its sending me on to the on coming traffic ;) and i go down it twice a day lol.

its just remembering the traffic lights are up in the sky.
but its very straight forward. most of the signs make sense and learn what the different road markings are as they are different from the uk

Re: Driving liscences??????
 

Remember you only have ninety days from establishing residency to take your test...hurry up.....

Re: Driving liscences??????
 

Hiya,

Thank U for everyone's comments.

I have been advised that I can drive here with my UK licence, for 3 months after landing.
However, there is no such deadline to take the theory and the practical test.
The only difference, is that after the 3 months, if I want to drive, I may need to be accompanied.

Please could someone elaborate & clarify about any deadlines.

Many thanx,
S

Re: Driving liscences??????
 

That is right.


That is right, you don't HAVE to take the theory and road test within 3 months. It is just that your UK license is no longer valid.

I am pretty sure this is not correct. To quote ICBC:

After 90 days, you can no longer legally drive in B.C. using your out-of-province driver’s licence.

After 90 days you need to pass the knowledge test and then you will be issued with a learner's license. You can drive using this license if you are accompanied by a qualified driver.

This is all important for insurance. If you are driving without a valid license you will not be insured. If you are involved in an accident you will be liable for the costs, and if someone is injured these can be ruinous.