Many of the new immigrants will find driving in Canada very different from driving in their home countries. In rare circumstances, you might be able to quickly convert your domestic driver’s license into an international driving permit, enabling you to legally drive in Canada. Before you can legally drive, you might need to pass at least part of the Canadian driving exam. If you live in Ontario and want to drive, you must have an Ontario driver’s license. If you’re new to the province, this page will walk you through the process of getting an Ontario license.
As one of the best driving schools near me, Key To Success Driving School has qualified instructors who can assist you in obtaining your driving license as an immigrant. Defensive driving, planning trips and motor carrier safety rules are all covered in Key To Success driving training courses.
Obtaining a driving license
Foreign nationals who are new to Canada and have driven for more than two years in Ontario are eligible to exchange their
current driver’s license for a new one without having to pass a road test. These countries include the Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Korea, Switzerland and the United States. But you have to pass the knowledge and vision tests administered by the province. If you have less than two years of driving experience, Key To Success Driving instructors are knowledgeable and can assist you in exchanging your foreign driver’s license for a full driver’s license.
Getting your current license converted to a Canadian and international license If this is your first time, you may already be a seasoned driver with a driver’s license from your home country. If yes, there are some important things you should know about driving in Canada and getting your current license converted to a Canadian license. To start, most provinces and territories only allow new residents with valid driver’s licenses from other states, provinces, or countries to use those licenses for a maximum of 60 to 90 days. However, most provincial and territory regulations mandate that you get a legitimate Canadian driver’s license from the Ministry of Transportation if you intend to continue driving in your province or territory after the 60- to 90-day period. Other immigrants applying for a license who came from nations not on the list above must show a current foreign driver’s license, pass a written and vision test on the traffic laws of their province or territory, and offer acceptable identification to get a Canadian license.
You should be aware that in the majority of Canadian areas, you may only apply for a starting license if you are a new resident of your province or territory and have fewer than 12 months of driving experience. On the other side, if you have been driving for more than 12
months, you might be eligible to take the road test without having to complete the required first-step waiting time. If you own or operate a car after receiving your Canadian driver’s license, you are required by law to have car insurance. Unfortunately, ignoring your overseas expertise when you apply for auto insurance might result in higher prices.
But, for each year you drive in Canada, your insurance premiums may go down if you drive defensively. Make sure you contact many auto insurance companies to see which one can provide you the best price. You can get in touch with Key To Success Driving experts right now for additional information about insurance!
The standards and process will change depending on your province if you are new to Canada and don’t have a driver’s license of any kind. You need to take Driving lessons when you first start driving, and all provinces will make you undergo a knowledge exam and a vision test (G1 Test). The vision exam verifies that you can see clearly enough to be deemed a safe driver, while the knowledge test gauges your comprehension of the rules of the road and traffic. You may use your glasses throughout the vision exam if you wear them.
Graduated licensing
Once you pass your eye and knowledge tests, you get a G1 license. Before you can get a full G license, you have to:
● finish two learning levels: G1 and G2
● pass two road tests.
You have up to five years to finish the whole process. After five years, if you do not get your full G license, you will need to start over.
By law, when you have a G1 licence, you must:
● Maintain a zero blood alcohol level (no alcohol in your blood)
● Make sure every passenger with you wears a properly seatbelt
● Not drive between midnight and 5 a.m.
● Not drive on 400-series highways or high-speed expressways
● Drive with a fully licensed driver who has:
● At least four years of driving experience
● A blood alcohol level of less than .05 (if this person is 21 and under, their blood alcohol level should be zero)
The driver accompanying you must be the only other person in the front seat. If you are driving with a driver instructor certified in Ontario, you can drive on any road.
In most cases, you practice with your G1 license for 12 months.
This is the first of two tests you need to take as a new driver.
● You can take your first road test after 12 months with a G1 license
● This exam tests basic driving skills such as:
*turning left and right
*stopping
*parallel parking
*one-way streets
*lane changes
*3-point turns
*driving in residential neighborhoods
*traffic lights, stop and yield signs
● Once you pass, you get your G2 license If you finish a government-approved driver education course, you can take your first road test after just eight months.
To take the G1 road test sooner, you will need to choose a driving school that is certified to train new drivers.
After passing your G1 road test, you get a G2 license. You practice with your G2 license for 12 months. You can now drive:
● Without another experienced driver in the car
● On all Ontario roads
● At any time of the day, in most cases
You must still:
● Have a zero blood alcohol level
● Carry only as many passengers as there are working seatbelts
If you are 19 and under, some other restrictions still apply.
Between midnight and 5 a.m.: you can only drive with one passenger who is 19 or under in your car.
This condition applies for the first six months of G2. After six months, you can drive with up to three passengers 19 or under between midnight and 5 a.m.
This condition does not apply, if:
● you have a fully licensed driver in the car with four years plus experience driving
● your passengers are immediate family members (e.g., a parent, brother or sister)
This is the second of two road tests you take as a new driver.
● You can take the test after 12 months with a G2 licence
● The test covers more advanced driving skills (e.g., driving on a highway)
● Once you pass, you get a full G licence
Key To Success Driving School equips you with not only the skills to drive on the road, but also the skills to survive on the road. Our instructors are very experienced, friendly and patient.