Hi,

So my partner and I are looking at spending 6 months in Canada to taste the dream.

Visa info etc is clear at this stage as we'll be heading home when we're meant to but I have questions on renting property and a car....chances are we'd then come back out on business visas...

Can we on 6 month tourist visa easily rent an appt and do a 6 month term car rental (not tourist rip off rates?)

What sorts of guarantees are required?

Thanks in advance for any pointers!


Thanks, Tom

I expect it may depend on where you're planning to stay/rent....where do you plan to base yourselves?

Their could also be problems with regards how long you can use your UK driving licence in Canada (assuming you would be driving on a UK licence in Canada)

Looking to Base ourselves in Banff national park (I think) and tour about a bit.

Yes, drive on UK license. How long can I use it in Canada before having to take Canadian test?....or do I simply swap it for a Canadian one?

You were saying that you are only here for a six month visit so I don't think you would want to exchange your licence.

I would phone the car rental companies up and ask them for their advice, I'm sure your not the only one to have done this.

Do you intend to tour Alberta and BC?

Hi there

We also went over for a 6 month visit and our UK driving licenses were valid for 3 months then we took our tests and got Canadian ones too .. it is quite a fun challenge after you have been driving on a UK one for years and have to pass a written and practical driving test.

Feels good to have it

Claire

P.S We didn't excahnge we have one for the UK and one for Nova Scotia

Thw wiki at the top of this site can answer a whole bunch of your questions. The license question will probably be different from province to province as each has their own legislation....however, a quick check from the wiki states that a visitor to BC is okay for 6 months.
http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Gettin...27s_license-BC

How did you manage that, we had to hand over both copies of our English licence when we exchanged in Alberta.

Maybe this is one thing the OP may need to bare in mind or it might be different if you are on a Work Permit perhaps. Someone will be along to correct me soon.

Like I mentioned before, the law is different and unique from province to province. Unlike the UK where the rules are the same, here motor traffic acts, are provincial legislation. As the previous poster mentioned, in Nova Scotia I didn't exchange, I just took a test. I still have my old pink UK license, without picture ID.

Thanks all for info so far.

Going to tour Alberta and BC. Interested to hear of any short term leasing companies anyone knows of?

Regarding the leasing of a appartment or house, how do landlords/agents view this with short term rentals by tourists etc?

http://www.wheelsabroad.com/faqs_ca.php

http://www.enterpriserentacar.ca/car...n.CA&page=home

Google is your friend.....I'm sure there are more but you should contact them for a firm quote....

You might be able to manage it in this housing market, you will have to phone around.

One way is to ask DVLC for a duplicate before you leave the UK. Hand one over when you exchange your license and keep the other.

There wasn't enough time for us to have done that, but never mind.

You swapped yours as part of residency. This poster took a test as a visitor. Apples and oranges and all that.