Can I apply for a G1 driver's license in ON while in Canada on visitor visa?

[rumpelstiltskin]

Hello,

I'm in Ontario on a visitor visa while waiting for CIC to process my PR application (my Canadian wife is sponsoring me, stage 1 done, docs forwarded to visa office abroad).

I have very limited driving experience (lived in a country where taking taxi is very cheap) so I consider myself a beginner. I am planning to enroll in a driving course.

My questions are:

1. Can I apply for a G1 driver's license with my foreign passport? The DriveTest.ca web page below appears to indicate that. Can anyone please verify?
http :// drivetest.ca/ EN/ licencing/ Pages/ How-to-Apply.aspx (Forum won't let me post links. Please remove spaces in the URL.)

2. Do I apply for a G1 driver's license before I enroll in a driving course? Or is it the other way around?

I'd appreciate any knowledge or guidance from you guys.

Thanks,
R

 

[Spuh_dyna]

Re: Can I apply for a G1 driver's license while in Canada on visitor visa?

hi,

I am sponsoring my spouse who is still on visitor visa and he already has his G2 so it is possible. He presented his driver's license from his home country, his passport. He paid the fee, which included the test for the g1 (theory), g2 test (practical), license fee. If you have any doubts, visit or call any of their locations. They will be very happy to let you know exactly what you need.

S

 

[tahsinmohammad]

Re: Can I apply for a G1 driver's license while in Canada on visitor visa?

Hello,

I'm in Canada on a visitor visa while waiting for CIC to process my PR application (my Canadian wife is sponsoring me, stage 1 done, docs forwarded to visa office abroad).

I have very limited driving experience (lived in a country where taking taxi is very cheap) so I consider myself a beginner. I am planning to enroll in a driving course.

My questions are:

1. Can I apply for a G1 driver's license with my foreign passport? The DriveTest.ca web page below appears to indicate that. Can anyone please verify?
http :// drivetest.ca/ EN/ licencing/ Pages/ How-to-Apply.aspx (Forum won't let me post links. Please remove spaces in the URL.)

2. Do I apply for a G1 driver's license before I enroll in a driving course? Or is it the other way around?

I'd appreciate any knowledge or guidance from you guys.

Thanks,
R

 

[truesmile]

Re: Can I apply for a G1 driver's license while in Canada on visitor visa?

Just be aware that this varies by province and none of the above posters have specified which province they are in, although the term 'G1' implies Ontario. Alternately (and for example), in Quebec you MUST have a Health Card in order to begin . . .

 

[rumpelstiltskin]

I have updated my post to reflect that I am in Ontario.

Thanks for the replies so far. I'm getting conflicting answers so I'm still looking for a definitive answer, if possible.

 

[truesmile]

The applicable ministry's website:

http://www.ontario.ca/driving-and-roads/get-g-drivers-licence-new-drivers

lists 'Visitor Record' (among many other Temporary Resident documents) as one of the many 'accepted identity documents'. With that, I'd say it's safe to say that Temporary Residents are able to apply...

 

[rumpelstiltskin]

truesmile, saw that page, too. I don't have a Visitor Record (IMM 1442) though. Every time I enter Canada, the immigration officer just stamps my passport with the entry date.

 

[chenml]

Yes, you can in Ontario.

My dad applied his in Windsor last summer, he only has the stamp on the passport as well.

 

[rumpelstiltskin]

Great! I'll start reading the MoT handbook then.

Thank you for confirming, chenml!

 

[rebecassss]

Can you do that even if you don't have a driver's license anywhere else? I thought I couldn't learn to drive here as I'm only a visitor...

 

[annabruce]

When my wife went for her license in Ontario she was told she absolutely must have her visitors record. Its not enough to cross the border and get a stamp in your passport. You need the document you get when you extend your status in Canada, or you need a work permit or student permit.

 

[rumpelstiltskin]

When I get a chance to visit a ServiceOntario or DriveTest center, I'll let you guys know.

In the meantime, if there's anyone else here who has a first-hand experience on this matter, we'd appreciate your input.

 

[rebecassss]

When my wife went for her license in Ontario she was told she absolutely must have her visitors record. Its not enough to cross the border and get a stamp in your passport. You need the document you get when you extend your status in Canada, or you need a work permit or student permit.

Could she already drive though? As in, did she have a license from her home country or an international license? Or was she trying to learn to drive?

 

[chenml]

Can you do that even if you don't have a driver's license anywhere else? I thought I couldn't learn to drive here as I'm only a visitor...

Yes, you can. In last summer, I called the MTO and they told me you can apply as a visitor for learner's license.

And my dad did get his G1 in Windsor....

 

[chenml]

When my wife went for her license in Ontario she was told she absolutely must have her visitors record. Its not enough to cross the border and get a stamp in your passport. You need the document you get when you extend your status in Canada, or you need a work permit or student permit.

I may have brought another non-canadian ID for my parents. Why don't you try give Windsor office a call, and maybe drive to there to get her G1. I get both my mom and Dad's there, in different day with different officer, and both my parents only have a stamp on the passport.