Drivers licence still valid as "visitor"?

[mariusp]

Hi,

I landed in Ontario a year ago but I moved to Quebec. I didn't exchange my Romanian DL yet, I'm in a process of doing it.

I just had some phone interviews back in Ontario, and now for the final interviews I need to drive there.

Is my DL still valid? Am I considered a visitor or a resident in Ontario? I am asking because on their website they state:

"When you move to Ontario, you can use a valid licence from another province, state or country for 60 days. After 60 days, you need to switch to an Ontario driver’s licence."

AND:

"If you are visiting Ontario for less than 3 months, you can use a valid driver’s licence from your own province, state, or country."

The car is registered in Quebec.

Thank you!

 

[Bs65]

Others can correct me given provincial differences on licences are often a mystery but maybe I am confused here with your concern about Ontario given when you moved to Quebec where assume you are a resident I think you had 6 months to exchange your foreign licence .

So given a year has passed you should not still be using your Romanian licence whether in Quebec or Ontario, especially if you already spent 6 consecutive months in Quebec already which is not clear.

To attend interviews in Ontario if you had a Quebec licence then sure that would be fine but being a resident in Quebec with a Romanian licence after this time might need a lot of explaining if you are unlucky enough to be pulled over at any time.

I guess your decision on the odds of ever being pulled over if you keep to the speed limit, obey traffic laws and car is in good shape. Technically for the interviews you would be a Quebec resident visiting Ontario but just questionable that your Romanian licence is still valid , possibly not.

https://saaq.gouv.qc.ca/en/drivers-licences/foreign-drivers-licence/

 

[links18]

If you have become a Canadian resident, you need to get a Canadian license within the time limits of the province you are residing in. If you live in Quebec now, get a Quebec license. You don't say how long you lived in Ontario, but your Romanian license probably became invalid if you violated Ontario law by not getting a license within the prescribed time period. If it didn't become invalid in Ontario, then it did when you violated Quebec law.

 

[DEEPCUR]

If you have become a Canadian resident, you need to get a Canadian license within the time limits of the province you are residing in. If you live in Quebec now, get a Quebec license. You don't say how long you lived in Ontario, but your Romanian license probably became invalid if you violated Ontario law by not getting a license within the prescribed time period. If it didn't become invalid in Ontario, then it did when you violated Quebec law.

I think it doesn't matter as long as one is not pulled over with an 'exchangeable' license. Even if cop pulls over and issue a ticket to appear in court for this offence, if he shows the Canadian license before court date, it should be fine. Ontario is likely to honor the request. I don't have experience in Canada, but US has similar laws for licenses.. although there will be 60 days limit for changing licenses, nobody cares if you change later.

I have also read one more member's experience in this forum who held on to this US license and changed it only after several years in Ontario.

 

[links18]

I think it doesn't matter as long as one is not pulled over with an 'exchangeable' license. Even if cop pulls over and issue a ticket to appear in court for this offence, if he shows the Canadian license before court date, it should be fine. Ontario is likely to honor the request. I don't have experience in Canada, but US has similar laws for licenses.. although there will be 60 days limit for changing licenses, nobody cares if you change later.

I have also read one more member's experience in this forum who held on to this US license and changed it only after several years in Ontario.

Everything you said is still violating the law. Whether or not they want to enforce it or not and to what extent they follow through on possible punishments if they do, I can't comment on, but that doesn't change the fact that such conduct is still illegal. It could also cause an insurance problem. Behavior like this is just more fuel for the fire for the political forces who argue that immigrants do not respect the law.

 

[foodie69]

I have also read one more member's experience in this forum who held on to this US license and changed it only after several years in Ontario.

That does not make it legal or morally right.

 

[canuck78]

That does not make it legal or morally right.

He also probably didn't;t get pulled over or get into an accident. Both scenarios would become much worse if it becomes clear that the individual didn't have a valid license to drive in Canada. Surprised the insurance company isn't asking for a copy.

By delaying you have created more problems for yourself. You have to go to the Quebec DMV and see if they will not notice that you have passed the timeframe to exchange your license and you may have to start the licensing process like new drivers. When/if you move you have to apply for a new license in Ontario and change you car registration. You also have to notify your car insurance if you move. Don't delay these things. You also have to apply for things like a new health card. If you don't apply you will end up with no health insurance.