I am moving to Canada, at the end of the month, and obviously being able to drive in Canada is essential. Much more so than here in the UK.

I just wondered if anyone else has experience learning to drive in Canada, how it was, what was required and how much learning actually cost?

Any comments would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Entering "getting a drivers license in Quebec" on Google comes up with this information,
http://www.saaq.gouv.qc.ca/en/driver...ents_other.php
Good luck..

It does depend on which province you will be learning in as each has their own requirements

Thanks for that. I have google'd it already, learning to drive in Ontario.

Just hoping for some insight from somebody who's been involved, or been through it, as the infomation on google is quite long winded and a little confusing.

Ontario!

There are driving schools here but nothing like what I remembered in the UK. Mostly small independent operators who have a license from, in my case, Ontario to "teach". Obtaining a license in Ontario (Canada) is much easier than in the UK. As to costs I really don't know but have a look at the following site for information. If Ontario is not on your radar I'm sure other Provinces have similar sites.
http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dan.../approve.shtml

We're in Alberta, It has just cost us (so far) $575 for 15 hours of classroom and 10 hours of in car.

Further lessons will be $40 per hour Automatic and $45 for standard.

DD will get a certificate valid for 3 years to reduce insurance for having done driver education.

HTH

We live in Whitby and my daughter is learning to drive. The course costs $325 and includes 20 hours in classroom and 10 hours in car.

Having done a little more reaserch, as I understand it, if I go, with my provisional from the UK, I can drive immediatly as I am over 16, as long as insured and accompanied by some one with 4 years of driving experience. Is that right?

Ill then have to do 12 months driving, whilst being accompanied, at which point I can take the level 2 test. Unless, I do a course at one of the approved centres, which will reduce that 12 months to 8. Have I understood this correctly?

Wtf? 20 hours of classroom time to learn how to drive without using indicators or mirrors? Is there a special tail-gating session for trucks?

I don't think that you can drive on a provisional licence from the UK, only a full one.

Regardless, you can only drive on a "foreign" drivers licence for 60 days once you become a resident of Ontario. If you are just visiting, you can use one for 3 months or else you need an international licence. IDPs cannot be issued to a holder of a UK provisional driving licence without the test pass certificate and provisional driving licence. http://www.theaa.com/getaway/idp/

http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/visiting.shtml

If you are a visitor to Ontario and want to drive while you are here, you must be at least 16 years old and have a valid driver's licence from your own province, state or country. If you are from another country and visiting Ontario for more than three months, you need an International Driver's Permit from your own country or you may have to apply for an Ontario driver's licence, depending on your length of stay. You should also ensure your automobile insurance coverage is sufficient, and that you carry the original or a true copy of the vehicle registration or Certificate of Title for your vehicle.

New Residents
If you are a new resident in Ontario and have a valid driver's licence from another province, state or country, you can use it for up to 60 days after you move to Ontario.

If you want to keep driving in Ontario, you must get an Ontario driver's licence. You must use your Ontario licence when you are issued one. New Ontario residents have 30 days before they have to register their vehicles and get Ontario licence plates and vehicle permit. Click here for more information on Getting an Ontario Driver's Licence or Licensing a Vehicle in Ontario.

http://www.drivetest.ca/en/license/O...ryDrivers.aspx has details of exchanging a foreign licence.

Sounds like "Death via Powerpoint"

My wife is learning in Quebec at the moment where it is compulsory to take classes. It has cost us around $900.

I think she has 10 or 11 2 hour classroom sessions where she goes through a workbook and an instructor cracks bad jokes.

She has on the road sessions as well, but they are not very regular. She is currently having a 2 hour driving lesson every 2 months. They expect you to go out regularly with a friend or family member in between classes. If you can't do this, or if you are not making enough progress, they charge you for extra lessons.

I know. How they stretch out the triviality that is driving in Canada to 15 or 20 hours "theory" is beyond me.

It's pretty easy.

Use autolights - preferably with full beams on all the time
Never signal
Don't use side mirrors
Cut the car in front of you up if you can race past them at a red light or even if you can't
Parking brakes are for wimps
You always have right of way
If the car in front isn't driving fast enough, drive so close that your actually sitting in the back passenger seats
When encountering a turning circle a.k.a. a roundabout crap yourself

Easy peasy!