Hi

Can anyone give me some info on how difficult it is to take your driving test in Canada and what rules sorround this, such as do you have to wait for a certain amount of time before you can apply?.

Is it anywhere as complicated as in the UK, theory then practical?.

Also, what age can you start driving?
Thanks

Depends where you're going. Each province has its own rules. Check out the organisation for the province which interests you.

for BC, it's www.ICBC.org. There is a theory test simular on there.

Which province are you going to? Provincial governments have websites for things like this.
Also if you have a UK license you may be able to just swap it in certain provinces. We can THANK GOD!

In Ontario it was no big deal. I just kept to the speed limit, made sure I actually stopped at the stop signs, looked and signaled before changing lanes etc. and got away without having to do the parallel park (probably cos it took forever to do the road test, keeping to the speed limit. 100khm on the 401 is one of the scariest things Ive done in Canada)

Now of course I could have just swapped licenses...tells you how long Ive been here.

The theory test was multiple choice and not too hard of you read and adsorb the provincial equivalent of the highway code. (Drivers handbook)

If anything its more complicated than the UK, as its a graduated system (if you are not swapping an existing license), but I found the test easier...maybe 'cos I'd been driving for years this time around, who knows.

In Ontario you can start the graduated process at 16, but there are lots of restrictions at first, and if starting from scratch you cant get a full "G" license for another couple of years after passing.

In Alberta, the written test is a snap but read up on the 'Graduated Driver Licencing' stuff cos the tests asks a lot of questions about that. (I failed my first attempt because I did not read up on it... figuring it was irrelevent to me so why bother?... 18 bucks down the drain but the register dude and I had a good laugh about it. )

I'll let you know what the Alberta driving test is like next week. :scared:

In Alberta, you can get a learners licence at 14 and become a probationary driver at 16.

In BC you have to take a theory and practical. Theory is a multi choice, go into driver services and pick up a copy of Roadsense - read this and you'll be fine.

Practical is very similar to UK test - reverse parking and all . As long as you obey the major rules, speed (especially in school zone), complete stop at stop sign, shoulder checks when turning, then you'll be fine.

You have 3 mths from arrival to pass the test, if you do fail they take your UK liscense away and you become a lerner again!!

The Alberta driving test seems to focus on whether you know how to park the car and keep to the speed limit in playground/school zones.

It has no emergency stop perhaps explaining a lot of the crashes you see around here.

I dont remember doing an emergency stop either now you mention it. But that could just be my memory.

Same in BC - No emergancy stop.

So in BC do they drive into the back of each other with the same high frequency as they do in Calgary?

Oh yes - especially when we get that white slippery stuff on the roads about once a year.... erm now what do you call it

I took my test in BC 2 weeks ago, after initially passing the theory test. The test was basically an hour of me driving around, whilst the instructor chatted; lots; about every subject under the sun! At the end, after I had done my reverse park at the test centre - he casually said I'd passed, then said the only minor points were that I did the 'typical English thing' of putting the car into netural and the hand (foot) brake on every time I stopped at a red light. He told me I shouldn't do that, as they get a lot of rear-end accidents in BC - I didn't like to argue, but I thought that surely if you get rear-ended without the handbrake on and whilst an automatic is in drive it will be heaps worse, as you'll go speeding into the car in front?!! Think I'll ignore his advice for now...! I have started doing heaps more shoulder checks since the test though

When we landed in Alberta last year, the rules had changed and we didn't have to retake our driving test.
Just hand over your UK one and they issue an Albertan one. Phew's all round.!

Well at least out in BC they wait for the snow (yes, thats what it is called!). Over here in Calgary they crash into the car in front because ...well I dont know why! Any day will do. The sun was shining, it was raining, it was daylight, it was dark, it was muddy and even - it was snowing. Pick one but I'm sure there are others.

It's mostly I was distracted by my cell phone but they won't admit it. Plus the fact most Calgarians are just plain lousy drivers.

However I saw much worse out on Vancouver Island. Far too many wrinklies still have driving licenses. :scared::scared:

However at least some of them have the decency to warn you by putting "veterans plates" on their vehicles.

Same in Alberta they also have veterans plates now, it a good warning system for the rest of us unfortunately it's just a small number. If only we could get the rest to identify themselves somehow.