Driving in canada on visitor visa

[Jenny parsely]

Hi,

My husband has applied for my PR and we are planning to come to toronto as soon as he gets jobs. My PR is still in process and till then I will be living with him on visitor visa. I have certain questions regarding driving license

1) Can I drive in toronto with my (New Jersey)USA driving license?

2) If yes then for how long  I can drive?

3) Can I transfer my license to canadian license on visitor visa?
 

[Jamgirl]

I recently asked the same questions at my local DMV...  I'm not sure if all provinces are the same...  The province I am in allows visitors to drive for 90 days on an out of country license.  If the driver writes his written exam and driven exam (and passes) in the 90 day period, they can have their Canadian Provincial Driver's License without the beginner's restrictions....  Call the DMV for the province you intend to stay for more information....

[AllisonVSC]

Basically, yes for three months. If you are here longer than that you are supposed to have an international driver's license from your home country or get an Ontario license. See link below. The problem with getting the Ontario license is that you're not allowed (as a resident of Canada which you won't be technically) to drive a US plated vehicle, so you are in a bit of the catch 22 if you can't import and switch out the plates.

http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/visiting.shtml

[mc1234]

Yes in Ontario you are able to switch over your license to a Canadian one on a visitor visa and you also have three months to drive on your American one. I know because my SO used his license as to get his Canadian one (but he was able to keep both) This helps because his trip was longer than 3 months.

We presented his:

- Passport
- Past two Mexican drivers licenses (after he takes the G1 test, he then automatically qualifies for his G,  the highest license. If you have less than two years, after you take the G1 test you can then go and get your G2 right away (which allows you to drive on your own) and have to wait a year for your G.
- In our case we also had to get it translated by the embassy of Mexico but that was because his license is in Spanish

Even though it was a lot of hassle, it was totally worth it.

Good luck to you!

[AmericaninQuebec]

Here's the Ontario website with information pertaining to your situation http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/visiting.shtml

I once got an international driver's license from the local AAA office back in the U.S. It took all of 5 minutes to get, and cost maybe $20. If I recall correctly it was a simple booklet that contained my name and maybe a photo, my address, and some regulations regarding an international license (though this was back in 2003, so it may be slightly different now). I would seriously recommend doing that instead of going through the hassel of getting an Ontario driver's license.

[mc1234]

Here's the Ontario website with information pertaining to your situation http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/visiting.shtml

I once got an international driver's license from the local AAA office back in the U.S. It took all of 5 minutes to get, and cost maybe $20. If I recall correctly it was a simple booklet that contained my name and maybe a photo, my address, and some regulations regarding an international license (though this was back in 2003, so it may be slightly different now). I would seriously recommend doing that instead of going through the hassel of getting an Ontario driver's license.

I know you mentioned you got it a few years ago, but do you recall how long it was valid for?

[AmericaninQuebec]

I know you mentioned you got it a few years ago, but do you recall how long it was valid for?

According to AAA it's valid for 1 yr, costs $15, and requires 2 passport sized photos.

http://www.aaa.com/vacation/idpf.html
http://www.aaa.com/vacation/idpapplc.html?association=undefined&clb_id=undefined&secure=N
http://www.aaa.com/PPInternational/IDP_IADP.html

[figgy]

My boyfriend is here on a work permit and he went to service Ontario they took his Australian license and handed him his new FULL G Ontario drive's license. no test, nothing! just a simply transfer. hope it's that easy for you!

[mc1234]

My boyfriend is here on a work permit and he went to service Ontario they took his Australian license and handed him his new FULL G Ontario drive's license. no test, nothing! just a simply transfer. hope it's that easy for you!

That's excellent! I think that if you are going to be living in Canada as a PR this is something you are going to have to do eventually..so if you can do it even when your visiting, why not?!

Good luck with whatever you decide!

[mc1234]

According to AAA it's valid for 1 yr, costs $15, and requires 2 passport sized photos.

http://www.aaa.com/vacation/idpf.html
http://www.aaa.com/vacation/idpapplc.html?association=undefined&clb_id=undefined&secure=N
http://www.aaa.com/PPInternational/IDP_IADP.html

Thanks for the info

[AmericaninQuebec]

I find it interesting that Ontario lets non-resident visitors (for example, someone from the U.S. who doesn't need a visa to visit for 6 mths) to go get an Ontario driver's license. I just went through the process this week in QC. I tried to do it over a year ago when I was just a visitor here so that I could go on my husband's car insurance, but I was refused. Indeed I had to bring all of my immigration paperwork with me the other day before they'd give me my license (I didn't have to do any tests either, not even an eye exam).

Is there an insurance included with the driver's license in Ontario, or is it simply a permit? I'm wondering if that's the reason QC won't let you have a license until you're a resident, because you also receive a government sponsored insurance with it.

[AllisonVSC]

No, insurance is separate in Ontario.

[blackrider]

That sounds pretty straight forward.I'll go exchange my swiss license and report back how it went.

[blackrider]

That sounds pretty straight forward.I'll go exchange my swiss license and report back how it went.

[Mrslwsn]

I would like to know the result because my husband is coming soon and will need to drive. He has a valid Jamaican license.