Join the Scotiabank StartRight® Program designed for Newcomers‡ and get up to $2,200* in value in the first year.
Getting your driving license in Canada is something you should do as soon as possible when you arrive. You might already have a driving license from your home country. Most likely, you will be able to use it to drive in Canada for a certain period of time after you arrive (for example, 90 days if you reside in Ontario). If you want to use your foreign driving license, you should get an International Driving Permit in your home country before you leave.
Otherwise, I suggest you start the process of obtaining your Canadian driver’s license as soon as possible. Another benefit of having a valid driver’s license is that it can also be used as an official piece of Canadian identification when necessary.
As I mentioned before, the process of getting a driving license in Canada depends on the province where you reside and on your driving background. In general, you will have to pass a written exam that tests your knowledge of rules and signs, pass the vision test, and pass one or two driving tests. I’m going to talk about it in greater detail below. So bear with me.
If you have at least one year of driving experience from your home country, you might be able to fast-track getting your full license in Canada. However, you need to meet certain requirements to be able to get a full license. The process will depend on the country where your driving license was issued and how long you have been driving.
If your driving license was issued in the country that has an exchange agreement in place with the province where you reside, you will be able to simply exchange it for a Canadian driving license. If your license was not issued in any of these countries, you might still be able to fast-track. You can get credit for previous driving experience.
In Ontario, you are allowed to self-declare one year of driving experience. All you have to do is to show a valid, original foreign driving license.
If you want to claim more than 1 year of driving experience, you will need an official letter from the foreign issuing authority, which confirms that the license is authentic. The letter needs to be translated into English or French.
If you have never had a driving license in your home country, you will need to learn how to drive by taking a driving course. Learning to drive in Canada will include learning Canada’s driving laws and, of course, acquiring the necessary skills to drive a vehicle.
Your journey to driving in Canada will start with passing the driving theory exam which will test your knowledge of road rules and traffic signs. In addition to that, you will need to pass a vision test. If you succeed with both, you will get the G1 Driving Licence.
There are a number of restrictions for those who have a G1 Driving License. The most important one is that you can drive only when there is another fully licensed driver in the vehicle. The accompanying driver has to have a minimum of four years of experience as such and sit in the passenger seat.
In order to graduate from your G1 to a G2, you will have to pass a road test which will test your basic driving skills. Be advised that the test can be taken after you’ve been a G1 driver for 12 months. However, if you took an approved driver’s training course when you were learning how to drive, you can save 4 months and go for G2 after only 8 months!
After 12 months of driving with a G2 driving license and before its expiry date, you take the test which covers more advanced driving skills such as parallel parking and driving on a highway. Once you pass it, you will get a full G license.
There are plenty of tools available to learn to drive in Canada, such as the Official Driver’s Handbook (Ontario). You can purchase it in any grocery store or drugstore, as well as online training tests and a variety of driving schools.
For more information about living and working in Canada, check out our free webinars! We’ll help you to achieve success in Canada!
In order to rent a car, you must have a credit card as well as a valid driver’s license.
Driver’s licences and permits fall under Provincial jurisdiction so you must check this out based on where you intend to live. In Ontario, if you’re new to Canada, have been driving for more than two years, and come from the United States, Austria, Belgium, France, Great Britain, Germany, Switzerland, Korea or Japan, you are allowed to exchange your driver’s licence for a Canadian one without taking the road test. However, you must pass the knowledge and vision tests for your province.
All other newcomers applying for a licence, who originated from countries not mentioned above, must present a valid foreign driver’s licence, pass a vision and written knowledge test regarding their province or territory’s traffic rules, pay all applicable fees and provide acceptable proof of identity in order to obtain a Canadian licence.
I suggest obtaining an International Drivers Permit or Licence in your home country which allows you to drive in some Provinces. Generally, you are allowed 3 months driving with an international drivers licence. This includes those who want to rent a car.
While on the subject of driving, please do check out our driving section on the website it will tell you how you can save up to 40% on insurance in Canada IF you get documents before you leave!
Canadian law requires that drivers involved in a motor vehicle accident must provide assistance to any injured party. If there is serious damage to any vehicle or any personal injury, call 911 or the local emergency number immediately. You must specify whether you want the police, fire and/or ambulance to attend at the scene.
In some cases, if the collision is minor and there are no injuries, the police may not attend the scene. Instead, you may be asked to report the incident at a police station. If possible you should obtain a copy of the police report or at least the police incident number in order to proceed with an insurance claim.
Remember that cars involved in minor accidents should be moved off the road and out of the way of traffic, if possible, to avoid further accidents. If you are involved in an accident, do not leave until you have exchanged names, addresses, licence plate numbers and telephone numbers, as well as insurance particulars, with all other drivers involved in the accident. It is also recommended that you obtain the names and phone numbers of witnesses to the accident.
If you leave the scene of an accident in which you are involved, before providing your name and other particulars, you could be charged with an offence known as “leaving the scene of an accident,” more commonly known as “hit and run.”
If you need to have your car towed away from the scene, make sure you know where it is being taken and how much it will cost, before you agree to it being removed. Do not sign any blank form that authorizes unspecified repairs to your vehicle. As soon as possible, notify your insurance company and provide them with the incident number from the police, as well as the names and contact numbers of the other drivers and witnesses involved. It is also helpful to draw a diagram of the scene showing all vehicles and street names.
Contact the public transit organizations, provincial ministries of transportation, provincial motor vehicle licensing offices or insurance associations listed in the telephone book for further details on driving in Canada.
If you decide to buy a new car but don’t have the full amount in cash, the two options are to lease or to make payments to own. You may choose to lease a vehicle for a predetermined period instead of buying. At the end of the term, you may walk away from the car or buy it depending on the lease agreement you have signed. Most leases carry a mileage limit, meaning you may be charged extra if you rack up more mileage than is stipulated. Make sure you ask what kind of penalty you would face if you want to terminate the lease before the lease period is up.
A benefit of leasing is if you own your own business or are self-employed, you can claim lease payments as a tax deduction.
If you choose to buy, be aware that interest on a car loan for newcomers can reach high percentages. Many car dealers will offer you a loan as an incentive to purchase one of their cars, but it would be best to shop around (both for a car and financing) before you commit. Also, ask what penalty you would face if you were to pay off the loan before the period elapses.
At least until you become familiar with the city and the rules of the road, my advice is to save your money and take public transit. Car operation and upkeep cost a lot of money, whether new or used. Even with a trouble-free vehicle, the cost to maintain it (fuel, monthly payments, insurance, registration and other expenses) can set you back thousands of dollars each year.
When you are ready, I suggest purchasing a used car until you settle into a good-paying job. My first car cost me $1,000 and while it was not the prettiest car in the lot, it took me for my interviews and for grocery shopping, which was the main intention.
Here are some tips when purchasing a used car:
When buying from a used car dealer, try to obtain an extended warranty that covers parts and labour for repairs, for a set time period. Check with the motor vehicle office to see if there is a lien against the car for any amounts of money loaned against it. In the case of a private deal (from an individual seller), it would be wise to have the car checked by the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA). This verifies the vehicle’s ownership and accident history.
Be aware that stolen vehicles are sometimes sold privately. If you inadvertently purchase one, authorities could confiscate it and you may have to face police questioning or worse — conviction for stolen property.
Transferring the title or ownership of a vehicle is straightforward. If you are purchasing from a car dealership, transfer documents will be handled for you. In a private purchase, the buyer and seller must go to an insurance company to arrange the transfer, the insurance, payment of the provincial tax, where applicable, and pickup of a new license plate.
Your foreign driver’s license may be valid for only three to six months after you arrive in Canada. So it is wise to get an international driver’s license before you leave your home country. Regardless, you will eventually need to take a driving test to obtain a Canadian driver’s license.
Licenses are issued by the province or territory in which you live. In order to receive a license, you must pass several tests: a vision test, a written examination and a road test. In some provinces, a minimum of 30 days is required between writing the knowledge test and taking a road test.
I drove in my homeland for 24 years and yet I still flunked the knowledge test and barely passed the road test here, so I’d recommend studying for your test and taking some driving lessons again. It will make the process easier.
Also, you must be at least 16 years old before you can be tested for a driver’s license in Canada. Some provinces have a graduated licensing system whereby young drivers can be restricted to driving only in daylight hours during their probation period.
When applying for a driver’s license, the following documents may be necessary for proof of name, signature and address: ¦A passport ¦A Permanent Resident (PR) Card ¦Proof of address (bank statement or other public office received mail) ¦A driver’s license from your home country, but an international driver’s license is best
Incidentally, a driver’s license is one of the best pieces of identification you can have since it shows your photograph, signature and address.
Choosing quality child care for your family is an important decision. You want to find a safe, healthy environment that supports the social, physical, intellectual, creative, and emotional development of your children.
There are many types of child care available:
Daycare programs serve infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children.
Family day homes offer care in a private residence. There are typically six or fewer children, including the caregiver’s children, with one caregiver.
Group family child care programs offer care in a private residence. There are typically between seven and 10 children with two caregivers.
Out-of-school-care programs operate before and after school, during lunch hours, and sometimes when school is closed.
Pre-school program that offers child care for four or fewer hours per day for pre-school aged children.
Arriving with an action plan for your first weeks in Canada can save you time and money. The quicker you settle into your new environment the faster you’ll feel at home! In this webinar, Your First Weeks in Canada, we discuss the important things to do to manage your first weeks efficiently.
REGISTER FOR THE WEBINARFinding the best arrangement for your family takes time and planning, but it is worth the effort. You know your child best. Think about where they will be most comfortable. List your needs. For example, if your child needs quiet time, a large, busy centre may not be the best choice.
Here are things to consider to help you make a child-care decision:
Your child’s age
The types of activities your child enjoys
The number and ages of children your child enjoys being with
Any food allergies or food preferences to accommodate.
Also, each program will have different child care approaches and services such as snacks or meals. Other things to consider are your work hours, location, and cost. Do you require assistance with your childcare fees for your preschool children?
Locate a child care facility or family day home agency
The next step is to find a child care program. A good way to find a program is to ask friends and neighbours for references. You can also contact your local child and family services office for a list of child care programs or use our online tool to find a program.
Visit a child care program
You must visit each program that you are considering. This allows you to ask questions and observe the care they offer. During your visit, consider these questions:
Are the facility and equipment clean and in good condition?
Is space arranged for children to freely choose activities?
Are toys and equipment in reach of all children?
Do toys and equipment suit the ages and sizes of all children?
Are there enough toys for the number of children?
Is there a program listing daily activities?
Can children choose from a variety of activities?
Do activities suit the ages of the children?
Do children appear relaxed and involved in activities?
Is there room for outdoor play?
Nutrition
Does food for all children meet the standards in Canada’s Food Guide or Alberta’s Nutritional Food Guidelines?
Do caregivers sit with children during meals?
Health and Safety
Do staff and children wash their hands before and after diapering or toileting?
Are medications stored in a locked container, out of reach of children?
Is all indoor and outdoor equipment clean and safe?
Do staff have training in child care first aid?
Child care staff and providers
How many staff per child are present?
What is the training of staff?
Are staff engaged and involved with children?
Do staff calmly reassure children who are upset?