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How to Get Canadian Driving License -for Newcomers

vibbsfadn

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Thanks for the info again.

This helps a lot.

Kudos for your effort over the years.

Regards

Vibhav
 

abhihappy

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Reality check for all - cost of insurance in Ontario is almost equal to / or more than the monthly loan payment of the car...
 

mdzain77

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Dec 15, 2012
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Recently moved to Canada? What you need to know in order to drive

If you are new to Canada, you may find that driving in Canada is extremely different from driving in the country of your origin. Depending on the country that you came from, it may be quite easy to transfer your license of origin to an international driver’s license. International driver’s licenses will allow you to legally drive in Canada. Some individuals that are a new driver in Canada may have to take either all or part of the driving test in order to legally drive in the country.
Getting a Canadian Driver’s License
If you have moved to Ontario, and are a new driver in Canada, but have been driving for over two years in either Japan, Korea, Switzerland, Germany, Great Britain, France, Belgium, Austria, or the United States you can simply exchange your current license from your country for a Canadian drivers license without having to take the road test. However, you will be required to take the vision and knowledge test for the province. If you have had a license for less than two years you may exchange your homeland license for a full license in Canada.
If you have never held a driver’s license and wish to become a new driver in Canada, the protocol and the requirements for obtaining a new license will vary from province to province.
A new driver in Canada may have to take driver’s lessons in order to begin driving in Canada. Some provinces require this while others do not. All provinces will require a new driver in Canada to take both the knowledge and vision test. Knowledge tests will evaluate how much of the traffic and road regulations that you understand. The vision test ensures that you can see good enough to be considered safe while operating a vehicle.
Transferring Your License
If you have moved into Canada from another country and have been driving for a number of years, there are a few things that you should know when driving in Canada as well as how to transfer your license to a new Canadian license.
The first thing you need to know is that if you have a current driver’s license from a different country, state, or province you are allowed to drive with that particular license for the maximum of 60 or 90 days depending on the territory or province. If you wish to continue driving past this time frame then you will be required to obtain a valid Canadian license in order to do so.
If your license originated from one of the countries that is listed above you will be able to obtain a full G license as long as you have at least 2 years of experience. If you have less than 2 years experience you can obtain a G2 license.
If you are a new driver in Canada that does not originate from one of the listed countries, you will be required to present a foreign driver’s license that is valid, pass a knowledge and a vision test, pay fees, and provide a proof of identity that is acceptable in order to receive a Canadian license.
Individuals that have less than 12 months of driving experience will only be allowed to apply for a starter Canadian driver’s license in most of the territories of the country.
Canadian Driver’s License Requirements
Once you become a new driver in Canada and obtain the proper license, you will be required to obtain auto insurance if you drive or own a vehicle. Insurance rates may be higher for a new driver
Learn Safe Driving Academy.
 

harry_aussie

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There is no knowledge test for Australian licence holders in the province of ontario and i think it is the same for the countries having reciprocal licence agreement with ontario.I exchanged my Australian driving licence without a knowledge test, only a vision test was done.
 

koolbhas88

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I am new in Markham, Ontario, Canada. I have a License with 4 years of experience both motorbike and cars. I have almost every document for the license except I do not have any authorization from RTO back in India. I have the microchip in my license that can tell the details of the experience / violation etc.
I have gone through Leon's below post. But as I do not have the supporting documents that show proof of your driving experience how things can be done.
Do I need to start over from the scratch as G1/M1 ???

I need it urgently as I have my office bit far from my residence.

==========================================================================
How to apply

To switch your licence for an Ontario driver's licence, you need to apply in-person at a:

* ServiceOntario centre
* DriveTest centre.

You need to:

* take an eye test
* bring original identification showing your legal name, date of birth and signature
* bring your original, valid out-of-province/foreign driver's licence*
* bring any supporting documents that show proof of your driving experience
* pay the applicable fees
* fill out an application form (where you will state how long you have been driving).

You might also need to take a written test or road tests, before you get a full licence. It depends on your circumstances.


Find a ServiceOntario centre

Find a DriveTest centre
==========================================================================
 

Kghimire

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Yep, that's right, I did the same with my NSW licence with out knowledge test and road test for Class 5 Alberta licence. Only vision test and necessary fee .



harry_aussie said:
There is no knowledge test for Australian licence holders in the province of ontario and i think it is the same for the countries having reciprocal licence agreement with ontario.I exchanged my Australian driving licence without a knowledge test, only a vision test was done.
 

can-quest

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Dear Qorax Sir,
yesterday i got License extract or authentication letter from New Delhi RTO office.... it is not in the format which is shared on this forum earlier by many people... its computer system based summary of license (including all required information) and signed by authority with stamp... will that work

Thanks
 

qorax

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can-quest said:
Dear Qorax Sir,
yesterday i got License extract or authentication letter from New Delhi RTO office.... it is not in the format which is shared on this forum earlier by many people... its computer system based summary of license (including all required information) and signed by authority with stamp... will that work

Thanks
YES, but ensure it has ur pp sized photo as well.
 

can-quest

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qorax said:
YES, but ensure it has ur pp sized photo as well.
no photo on the document... it is computerized printout of the License summary (known as extract) with name, address and date of birth & DL details on it.
Its not on official letter head of authority, but have authority seal stamped on it and signed by Sr. officer. I requested them to give on letter head, which they refused straight away.

I am planning to take International DL also.
 

Thunder

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Dear forum members
I am from Pakistan and I have 10 years driving license.My plan is to land in feb 13.what should I have to do for obtaining early license in Toronto.what documentation(International license or authentication letter) is needed in pakistan while coming to toronto for license?
Regards
 

can-quest

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I just observed one thing on DL ... it just have my First name and middle name (may be due to space constraint on DL card); whereas passport have Surname, First and middle name on it. Will this going to impact in any way.. if yes, what can be done for this.

Thanks


can-quest said:
no photo on the document... it is computerized printout of the License summary (known as extract) with name, address and date of birth & DL details on it.
Its not on official letter head of authority, but have authority seal stamped on it and signed by Sr. officer. I requested them to give on letter head, which they refused straight away.

I am planning to take International DL also.
 

can-quest

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can-quest said:
I just observed one thing on DL ... it just have my First name and middle name (may be due to space constraint on DL card); whereas passport have Surname, First and middle name on it. Will this going to impact in any way.. if yes, what can be done for this.

Thanks
any comments or suggestions Sr members....
 

mr_rana

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In case of Driving License,
1) I've an International Driver Licence, in English but made over 12 years ago
2) Driving Licence from all the Countries where I've stayed and they are in English and still valid.

Would this suffice to get Canadian License?

rgds
 

Shaikhzees

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Aug 17, 2012
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Three days ago I took the G1 knowledge test, which I happened to pass with a perfect score. Having just gone through the experience of getting my first Canadian driver’s license, I’d like to take a moment to describe the experience for those who are looking to hear about the process of getting a G1 driver’s license in Ontario.

Personally I couldn’t find much on this topic when I searched for it before taking the test, which adds to why I want to recount my experience online.

In Ontario there is a graduated licence system that one must follow in order to obtain their driver’s license. After you’ve passed a vision test and a knowledge test, you obtain your G1 driver license (which is the first of step in the rather lengthy process to achieving your G license).
Obtaining your G1 is definitely cool, however it means that in order for you to actually get behind the wheel of a car, you need to have a fully licensed driver – with at least 4 years of driving experience – with you at all times. After holding a G1 license for 12 months (eight months if you take – and pass – an accredited driving course), you’ll be eligible to take a road test and get a G2 license. The G2 has some restrictions, but it enables you to drive on your own. After an additional 12 months, you’ll be eligible to take a more challenging road test, which if you pass, means that at long last, you’ll graduate to a full G license.

Preparing for the test

The first thing I did was to read the official handbook, cover to cover, over the course of the first two nights. I couldn’t find the copy of the book I bought a while back, so I opted to use the free online version instead. Learning the theory from the book, line-by-line, is certainly important but it won’t likely ensure that you actually pass the G1 test. The reason for this is that there are too many arbitrary rules and numbers for you to accurately remember them all without making any mistakes, by simply reading the theory through once.
The key for me was that I spent Friday evening taking practice tests online. I used a free site, and took all the G1 tests they’ve got up there. At first, as you take these online tests, you may make some mistakes, but this is actually a blessing in disguise, as it will help you realize what your strengths and weaknesses are.

In my case, I immediately nailed all the questions that were logical, but did poorer when it came to things that were entirely arbitrary – as such questions about license suspensions rules. So before proceeding further, I read the rules pertaining to this area again, and also thoroughly reviewed the demerit point system. As I worked my way through this information for the second time, I did so with the earnest intent of really memorizing all of those rules and numbers.

Having read through that data a second time, I took the online practice tests once again and pretty much got 100% on all of them (including the lengthy 200 question “marathon” test). I knew at this point that I was ready for the real deal.
I can’t stress enough though, how much you really want to study and practise, because up to 70-80% of people fail their Ontario G1 knowledge test the first time they take it.

Going to the testing center

The good news is that you don’t need to book your G1 test ahead of time. You can go anytime the office is open, though they recommend that you show up at least an hour before closing.
As soon as I arrived, I lined up for the help desk, where I was asked what I was there for. I provided my ID, and they asked me if I’d had a driver license before in any other country. After that, I was given a ticket and went to sit down Mr. Bean style as I waited for my turn.

The vision test

After asking you for your ID and having you sign some paperwork, the first thing you’ll do is take a vision test. You are not escorted, as one might expect, into a separate room to take the vision test, instead you stand there in front of the the DriveTest employee, and are instructed to pick up the pair of binoculars that are attached to the desk.
I was a little worried about this test, as I’ve read horror stories about people with good vision being rejected. Thankfully, in reality the test was very simple and straightforward. You’re shown a group of numbers such as “9 3 7 5 3 2″ in three different positions, while you keep both of your eyes opened. Your vision would have to be fairly poor in order for you to mess up those numbers, as they’re printed quite big (they’re larger than the font in this post and they appear even closer to your eyes than your computer screen). Finally, a light goes off on the right or the left, a couple of times, and you need to say on which side the light appeared (this step is done to test your peripheral vision).
Don’t stress about the vision test, even if one of your eyes is weaker than the other, you should have no problem thanks to the fact that both of your eyes are tested at the same time (not one by one, as is sometimes the case at an optometrist’s office).

Going to the testing area

So long as you pass the vision test, you’re immediately asked to pay the $125 test fee, which can be paid via debit card, credit card, or cash. Next they take your photo right then and there, for which you can’t smile and need to keep you chin down as you look at the yellow dot below the camera.
Moving on, they stamp the back of your hand (with a little Government of Ontario logo), and you’re sent to the testing area with a yellow piece of paper with your details on it. You’ll deposit that paper into a basket and take a seat while you wait for the actual writing of the test to commence.
Overall the atmosphere at the testing center was friendly and relatively relaxed. The only worrisome point was seeing how many 16 year old kids were being told that they didn’t pass, and their resulting long faces.

The knowledge test

When they call your name, you head over to the desk and they give you a test form and a pencil. There are two test sheets, each of which contain 20 questions. The first one is about the rules of the road, while the second set of 20 questions is about road signs.
You need to get at least 16 questions right on EACH of them in order to pass the test. If you get 15 right on one, and absolutely nail the second perfectly, you’ll still fail the test nevertheless and will have to take it again another day (and pay an additional $10 to do so).

The “real world” test questions are remarkably similar to those on the online practice tests. In fact, most of them are included on the real test verbatim. If your memory is any good, you’ll run through and answer most of questions in a matter of seconds. In my case, I had all 40 questions answered in about 5 minutes. I found the test to be quite easy after practising online. If you got 100% on the online marathon test, it’s likely you won’t fail the real test because you’ll be presented with virtually the same questions and format.

Keep in mind that sometimes there will be trickier questions. However, with some common sense you should be able to figure them out. For example, one question asked what the number one cause of skids on the road was. The possible answers included over-inflated tire pressure, going too fast (speeding), and ice or snow.
While realistically the majority of skids will happen on ice or snow, particularly in Canada, you have to answer the way they want you to answer. When the weather conditions are good, speed is the number one cause of skids. When there is black ice on the road, too much speed in relation to the road condition is still the actual cause of skids. So, while it may be tempting to go with “ice or snow”, what you really want to select instead is “speed”.

When you’re done answering the questions, you deposit your test in a tray and your pencil in another, and then have a seat again. After five or so minutes, they’ll call you up and tell you whether or not you passed the test. If you passed, they’ll hand you a yellow paper that includes your test score, as well as your temporary G1 license (which is a piece of thick A5 paper). Your actual plastic license will be mailed out and reach you in about two weeks.

Having passed your G1 test, you can now leave the testing center and go celebrate! (The whole experience at the testing center took about 45 minutes for me.)
My next step will be to find a good instructor in North York and take (and pass) their course, so that I can take one or two classes and take the road test and obtain my G2 license.

I hope this firsthand account helps others out there who are preparing for the first time to get their G1 license. Best of luck to all of you!

P.S.Let me know of some number of instructors in North York, if you have any.
 

mmiq

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Captain, today i went to apply G2 licence after completing all procedure, UAE 7 year experience and submitting other document they told me to pass knowledge test but after passing they issue me G1 license slip tell me what can i do now?
because its suppose to be G2 ,if i am not wrong
regards
mmiq