You won't need to take a seperate test - hell even I could drive a 1 ton with a 35ft 5th wheel (not that i'd want to reverse it you understand).

The idea of the campers is a good one though. What time of year will you be coming? - I also agree that Canada + Winter + trailer/camper does not equal happiness! If you were doing that and you did buy a trailer (not as in trailer park trailer but the one you pull behind) you would also need to make sure it was winterised. I think they insulate the undersides etc so they are acceptable for about minus 25. Still bloody cold and your propane would set you back about $300 a month to heat.

Thanks, folks. A camper might well be the answer. The rig idea was suggested for flexibility... and I would like a bit of comfort! But a camper would be more practical and affordable in the long run. It looks - all being well - like being early spring, so a good time. I'll have at least 4 months to find somewhere. Or, as the case may be, nowhere... and then return to the UK for Plan B (Europe).

You can't know 'til you try...

Whatever you buy......I reckon you need to make a friend that lives in Canada pdq who will let you use their address!

This driving licence issue......If you landed in BC then you would have to sit a test within 90 days of landing as a resident, whereas in Alberta and some other provinces you just have to exchange your British licence for an Alberta one.

I'd research the driving licence authority of the province you intend to land in and see what the requirements are for different sized/weighted vehicles......It's never as simple as just landing and going is it??

Of course the other issues to bear in mind are that if you are landing....then where are SIN/PR cards going to be sent to?

.......Maybe there's a forum somewhere for Brits travelling in the US/Canada that can assist.......with advice on the ping-ponging between the two.

I intend to do this myself one day.......when I've retired from the Met, we've settled in Canada, (if accepted), and the kids have flown the nest. I have my brothers on Vancouver Island though, which helps as far as an address is concerned.

Good luck....let us know how this is resolved and show us a photo of what you buy...I'd be interested.....

Robin, I retired from the Met almost two years ago, also heading for the Island!

Okay... new plan. Next summer (providing I have the visa by then, of course!), I'll go out to Canada to 'land' and have an extended holiday - 6 weeks, probably. So I'll keep my flat on in the UK and will then have a permanent address in the UK I can use for the purposes of camper van/rig purchase and insurance - or hire, if it works out more economical that way.

The question that raises is... how much money will I be able to take with me to cover such items? Or will I be able, after landing, to open a bank account over there - even though I won't be living there permanently for a while and will be returning to the UK - to facilitate the necessary transfer of money?

Once again, thanks for any advice anyone can offer.

You may be allowed to open a Non-Resident account until you move to Canada permanently.

Once you land you have to present your 'goods to follow' list and your proof of funds, but there isn't a time limit on goods to follow list. This would be important if you intend to settle there with some of the contents of your flat at some point after your initial trip next year.

I know that you can take up to 10,000 cash when you land.

You can also open up a bank account, so long as you have at least two pieces of ID, whether you are a resident or not, or whether you have landed or not. Is there a limit? I would have thought that if you were landing then you can put what ever you like into the account....and still have a goods to follow 'amount' of funds.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Thanks. Is that 10,000 in CADs or £s? I was thinking about opening an account, then transferring any amount I needed on-line. According to my bank, that's simple and straightforward enough.

It's local currency always so it'll be $10,000CAD.