How to Get Canadian Driving License -for Newcomers

[pj375]

I am planning to land in Vancouver in August for a 2 week trip. I have a US drivers license that expires in November, 2012. After reviewing the BC Drivers Licensing site - they say I can use the reciprocal agreement to get a BC license provided I have the following ID:

Valid Permanent Resident Card (must not be expired)

or

Canadian Record of Landing/Canadian Immigration Identification Record (form IMM1000 only)

Does anyone know if they accept COPR IMM 5292 stapled into the passport to apply for a licence, given the delay in PR card processing?


Thanks in advance.

 

[mian_g]

No SIN required. I took my old UK licence, my passport and proof of my address (I think I took my bank statement, or maybe it was my rental agreement) to get my Alberta licence

Do we need to present the counterpart for UK licence. What about NCB certificate from UK, will it be of any help in Alberta ? Can you share your personal experience and procedure (requirements ) of exchanging UK Full DL in Alberta.

 

[Canooknic]

Yes, they took the counterpart & card licence. Luckily we had taken a photocopy of it because when we got our motor insurance they wanted to see a copy of it.

It was very straightforward, we went to the registry, gave them our UK licences & proof of residency and they gave us temporary licences. Our cards arrived about 2 weeks later.

We did get a discount on our insurance with our NCB, but we went from Aviva UK to Aviva Canada, and we were both previous employees so I'm not sure if everyone would get the same percentage discount.

 

[prishy2canada]

Yes, they took the counterpart & card licence. Luckily we had taken a photocopy of it because when we got our motor insurance they wanted to see a copy of it.

It was very straightforward, we went to the registry, gave them our UK licences & proof of residency and they gave us temporary licences. Our cards arrived about 2 weeks later.

We did get a discount on our insurance with our NCB, but we went from Aviva UK to Aviva Canada, and we were both previous employees so I'm not sure if everyone would get the same percentage discount.

+1 for you mate. Great info.
Do they check your UK licence is 2 year old? (I'm talking about Alberta)

Best,
p2c

 

[Canooknic]

Yes they do, I didn't have 2yrs so had to take the test but my fiancé just did a straight swap. The test wasn't hard, just common sense and the road test was only 15 minutes.

 

[mystic444]

Dear Qorax

As I will be migrating permanently to Toronto in July 2012 I have a few clarifications.

Am presently in Kuwait and have been driving here for the past 7 years. I applied for the authentication letter from the traffic dept in Kuwait but they issue this letter only in Arabic and not in English.

After getting this Arabic letter translated in English from the translator the traffic dept does not certify it as true copy unless it is attested by the Canadian embassy in Kuwait first.

Kindly advise if just the translated copy without the Kuwait traffic dept will suffice or what is the exact procedure after translating the Arabic authentication letter.

Appreciate your early reply.

Thanks

 

[qorax]

Dear Qorax

As I will be migrating permanently to Toronto in July 2012 I have a few clarifications.

Am presently in Kuwait and have been driving here for the past 7 years. I applied for the authentication letter from the traffic dept in Kuwait but they issue this letter only in Arabic and not in English.

After getting this Arabic letter translated in English from the translator the traffic dept does not certify it as true copy unless it is attested by the Canadian embassy in Kuwait first.

Kindly advise if just the translated copy without the Kuwait traffic dept will suffice or what is the exact procedure after translating the Arabic authentication letter.

Appreciate your early reply.

Thanks

1. That translated copy will only be accepted if it has the stamps of ur Ministry of External Affairs.
2. U can get it translated here [in Canada] from certain ministry approved 'legal translators' [costs $150] which is accepted.

 

[ayk]

Thanks Qorax,
Wonderful post.

 

[mystic444]

1. That translated copy will only be accepted if it has the stamps of ur Ministry of External Affairs.
2. U can get it translated here [in Canada] from certain ministry approved 'legal translators' [costs $150] which is accepted.

Thank You Sir for your prompt reply.

What I understand from you is that if I obtain the stamps of Ministry of External Affairs that is enough no need to get it attested from the Canadian embassy in Kuwait after that.

 

[qorax]

Thank You Sir for your prompt reply.

What I understand from you is that if I obtain the stamps of Ministry of External Affairs that is enough no need to get it attested from the Canadian embassy in Kuwait after that.

That's correct.

 

[mystic444]

That's correct.

Thank You Sir once again for your clear cut clarifications as ALWAYS.

 

[Bundoora]

Dear captain Qorax ,

i have the Australian D/L (which was expired in 2003 ) and the UK D/L , as well as my home country D/L , my question is would i be able to swap any of my (AUS,UK ) D/L s to ON D/L ?

p.s i'm not a PR holder of either country.

God bless you qorax

 

[qorax]

@Bundoora
IMHO u can swap the DLs only if they r valid.
However, I also know of one case who could yet get her US-DL, which was expired, swapped, but her's had expired just a few days ago.

 

[Bundoora]

@ Bundoora
IMHO u can swap the DLs only if they r valid.
However, I also know of one case who could yet get her US-DL, which was expired, swapped, but her's had expired just a few days ago.

thanks Qorax , as always +1 for you

 

[pj375]

I am planning to land in Vancouver in August for a 2 week trip. I have a US drivers license that expires in November, 2012. After reviewing the BC Drivers Licensing site - they say I can use the reciprocal agreement to get a BC license provided I have the following ID:

Valid Permanent Resident Card (must not be expired)

or

Canadian Record of Landing/Canadian Immigration Identification Record (form IMM1000 only)

Does anyone know if they accept COPR IMM 5292 stapled into the passport to apply for a licence, given the delay in PR card processing?


Thanks in advance.

Qorax, could you comment on the above? Thanks