I have been told today by the Registry office in Edmonton, that as from 29th April 2005 it is possible to just exchange your UK driving licence for a Canadian licence.
Of course this has changed just after we have both sat ours!

Linda P

FANTASTIC....For us....Sorrry you had to sit yours...We have been dreading it, infact we have both been telling each other off for bad habits...This is GREAT news for us...Thanks for sharing.

I could almost hear the cheers from here!!!
My good deed is done for the day!
Linda

Is this a new rule for all provinces or just Alberta? Do you have to surrender your UK driving license? If so what happens when you're back in the UK?

People seem to think when you "surrender" your licence you'll never see it again.
You do have to swap one for the other but there are two things you can do. If you come back to UK for holiday you dont need it any way as you can use the Canadian one. If you come back to UK permananetly, just ask the licencing people in Canada fori UK one back they will give it to you.
lastly if you love the look of Uk licence you can always get another one for a fee. Just say you lost it, pay the money and keep it as a spare!
it is not a rule in all provices yet.
Also one thing to remember where you do need to take a new test.If you fail the canadian driving test, they do not give UK licence back, to allow you to drive on that until you pass. Techncially you cannot drive home so you have to make sure you have an alternative method of transport home, or someone to drive you until you can pass your test!!

Thanks for that info. The bit about not getting your UK one back if you don't pass the Canadian test is a bit scary!

That may not be a rule in every province (where a test is required).


Jeremy

This doesn't seem to be the case in Edmonton, Alberta - I failed my first test and was able to drive home using my UK licence! :scared: The examiner didn't even ask me how I was getting home, or how I got to the registry office for that matter! We just re-booked the test for the next day, and off I went!
It was when I went back for my retest that the lady explained the change had just come in (29th April, they were still in the process of reading it through), I could just exchange the licence now if I wanted! even though the day before I had failed the test It was very tempting but I did the test anyway, just to prove to myself I could, (pride got the better of me, I guess!!!)
Linda

Just one question linda....Do you have to take any theory examination or is it just a straight swap?

Hi, not sure about that one- I'll give them a ring Monday and find out!
Linda

I wouldn't worry about the written exam, even if you have to sit it, it's multiple choice and a lot of it is common sense, you can pick up the small hand book to read through (free of charge).
Linda

I have failed the multi choice exam twice (online)...hehe

My daughter scored same as me first time and she is only 15 and never driven a car!

QUOTE=frankieforehead]I have failed the multi choice exam twice (online)...hehe[/QUOTE]

Hi Linda.
well done on passing your test. Great news about the new licence exchange though. Well chuffed i dont have to do the whole test.
I have emailed you but i think it was to your old one.
Il PM you . See you next week. cant wait x. Ali

Hi my dears, thought you'd like this bit of new , no tests for you!!!
We are having problems with our email (b****y telus, they are c**P) AOL was so much better!!!
I have PM you, looking forward to seeing you all
Linda XX