Driving in Canada and a new country can be stressful until you become familiar with the driving requirements. Whether you’re moving to Canada or have recently arrived, we will cover vital information from getting your driver’s license to car safety. This overview will help you understand 10 key things to know and do to drive safely in Canada!
1. Each Province Issues Licenses to Drive in Canada
The process to get your driver’s license will vary by province. So, check the Provincial Ministry of Transportation (links provided below) where you will live to learn about specific requirements. You need to know:
- What identification to provide (i.e. Confirmation of Permanent Residence Form or Permanent Residence Card)
- What documents to provide from your home country (i.e. driving license extract).
Gathering the documents you need while still in your home country, will make it easier and faster to get your license when you arrive in Canada. It will also save you time and money.
You must obtain your driving license from the province where you reside. If you move to another province, you must get a valid license from that province.
2. Canada has a Foreign License Exchange Agreement
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You may be able to take advantage of the Foreign License Exchange privilege if you have a valid driving license from one of the following countries:
| Australia Austria Belgium France Germany Great Britain Hungary | Ireland Japan South Korea New Zealand Switzerland Taiwan United Kingdom United States |
You can also use an International Driving Permit (IDP). An IDP allows licensed drivers from other countries to drive in Canada without testing or applications. However, an IDP is primarily useful for drivers who are visiting Canada.
Permanent residents can only use the IDP for a defined period. This usually varies from 60 – 90 days depending on the province. You must obtain an IDP from your home country.
When you take advantage of the Foreign License Exchange you can get your license quickly without testing.
3. You May be Eligible for Foreign Driving Experience Credits
You may be eligible for credits for previous driving experience if your country is not recognized in the foreign license exchange agreement (i.e. India, Nigeria, Philippines). The driving credits will reduce the time and cost of getting your full license in Canada.
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To apply for foreign driving experience credits you must:
- Have proper documents including a current license, proof of identification, and driver’s extract
- Pass a vision test, written test, and one or two driving tests depending on the number of years of driving experience and documents that you have
- Provide a Letter of Authentication as proof of your driving experience.
Research what documents you may require to get driving credits. You can obtain this information from the provincial ministries of transportation (see section: Provincial Ministries of Transportation).
4. You Must Meet Minimum Requirements to Drive in Canada
While minimum requirements may vary by province, generally you must meet these conditions:
- Age: the legal age to drive in most provinces is 16
- Medical health: including physical, vision, and hearing requirements
- Driver testing: including written tests and in-car driving tests.
You can confirm the specific requirements by visiting the website of the Provincial Ministry of Transportation (see links below).
5. Canada has a Graduated Licensing System
The provinces use a graduated licensing system to ensure drivers have the skills and knowledge to drive safely. The system has three levels:
- G1 is a learner’s permit
- G2 is a probationary license
- G is a full-license
To move from a G1 to a full G license can take up to 2 years. But, you have five years to get your G license from the day you pass your G1 test. So take advantage of the foreign license exchange if you can, or obtain foreign driver experience credits to reduce the time and cost to get a full G license.
6. You Must Have Car Insurance to Drive in Canada
Every province and territory in Canada requires drivers to have car insurance. It is illegal to drive in Canada without car insurance and you can face serious penalties that include:
- Fines from $5,000 – $25,000 for a first conviction
- Fines from $10,000 – $50,000 for a second conviction
- Suspension of your driver’s license
- Seizure or impoundment of your car for up to three months.
The minimum requirements for car insurance also vary in each province. So it’s important to know what insurance you must carry to drive a car. You can get more information about what car insurance you require from the provincial Ministry of Transportation websites.
While car insurance can be expensive, it is a legal must-have if you want to drive with peace of mind. Also, many insurance companies want your business, so you can shop for the best rates.
7. Driving Laws and Rules Vary in Each Province
The driving rules are similar in most provinces but, there may be slight differences. You can research the driving rules before you arrive to avoid facing tickets and penalties. This will reduce the stress of driving in a new country and prevent accidents.
Become familiar with the laws in the province where you intend to get your driver’s license to ensure your safety.
If you are getting your driver’s license for the first time, consider taking driving lessons from a recognized driving school. When you take driving lessons, you can also lower your insurance rates. Completing driving lessons shows insurance companies that you have received professional training and can drive safely. In turn, they will reward you with lower insurance rates. Click here for government-approved driving schools in Ontario.
8. Driving Conditions Vary in Canada
Driving conditions vary in Canada depending on the season. So you need to prepare your car for both summer and winter driving conditions. Your car may be equipped with all-season tires. But you have to put winter tires on your car for driving in snow, freezing temperatures, and icy road conditions.
It’s also helpful to prepare for winter conditions and carry additional provisions in your car such as:
- Ice scraper/brush to remove snow and ice before you drive
- Snow shovel
- Jumper cables
- Blankets and extra hats and gloves.
9. You Must Have a Child Car Safety Seat When Driving with Children
In Canada, all children must be in a child car safety seat from birth until they meet age, height, and weight restrictions. Four stages of child car safety seats include:
- Rear-facing infant seats
2. Forward-facing child car seats
3. Booster seats for children who weigh 18 kg (40 lb)
4. Seat belts for children who have outgrown their booster seats.
It’s important to know which seat your child needs and how to install a safety seat correctly. Ensure the safe use of car seats with these child car seat safety resources.
Related Post:
Getting Your Driving License in Canada
10. You Can Finance a Car with a Loan or a Lease
Operating and maintaining a car in Canada can be expensive. From regular maintenance to annual car insurance, the cost of a car can add up quickly. However, if you need to buy a car, you can get a loan from the bank, or lease a car. Or, you can pay cash if you readily have the amount for the car cost. But, a car is a major purchase so most people get a car loan or lease a car.
Related Post:
Buying a Used Car in Canada | What to Know Before You Buy
Whether you finance a car through a loan or a lease, there are key differences to know and understand. So, carefully consider each option to help you make the right choice.
This is a general overview of what you need to know about driving in Canada. With additional research and driving tools, you’ll be on your way to driving with confidence and safety. To get more information about the specific driving requirements in each province or territory visit the websites below.
Contact the Provincial Ministry of Transportation
Click on the province where you intend to live to learn how to get a driver’s license.
| Province |
|---|
Alberta British Columbia Manitoba New Brunswick Newfoundland and Labrador Nova Scotia Ontario Prince Edward Island Quebec Saskatchewan Northwest Territories Nunavut Yukon |
Corinna Frattini is the content marketing strategist at Prepare for Canada and contributes articles related to working in Canada. With a background in human resources and leadership development, her articles focus on what Canadian employers seek and how newcomers can continue their careers in Canada.
