Car Question - Getting a car with only a temporary license

[pete6256]

Hi,

I'm a UK & Canadian citizen and I'm returning to Ontario after several years overseas.

I was planning to switch my UK drivers license for an Ontario license as soon as I get back. I know that as soon as I surrender my UK license, they will issue me with a temporary license while I wait for the permanent one to arrive. I read online that it could take 4-8 weeks before my permanent Ontario license shows up.

The issue is that I was hoping to buy or lease a car straight away after getting back, but I'm reading online that I cannot buy or lease a car with a temporary license. They require only a permanent one. Does anyone know if this is the case? I really don't want to have to wait for 8 weeks for my permanent license to arrive before I can get a car? I'd really rather not have to get a rental while I wait.

Does anyone have any advice or suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

 

[armoured]

I was planning to switch my UK drivers license for an Ontario license as soon as I get back. I know that as soon as I surrender my UK license, they will issue me with a temporary license while I wait for the permanent one to arrive. I read online that it could take 4-8 weeks before my permanent Ontario license shows up.

The issue is that I was hoping to buy or lease a car straight away after getting back, but I'm reading online that I cannot buy or lease a car with a temporary license. They require only a permanent one. Does anyone know if this is the case? I really don't want to have to wait for 8 weeks for my permanent license to arrive before I can get a car? I'd really rather not have to get a rental while I wait.

I think this is nonsense, possibly AI generated nonsense, but I'm not 100% sure. The 'temporary license' is a full license, it's just not the finalized plastic card; it's possible by asking the question using the word temporary it threw people off. There's no basis for them to say you can't use it to purchase a car, etc. Not to mention that I don't think one needs a license to buy a car in Ontario anyway - and since you have to register the car with the province that issued your driving license, they're not going to have any difficulty confirming it's valid.

Now, that said: the issue is going to be either the leasing company or the insurance company. They need to understand you have a full license, it's just not the permanent laminated card. I'd check with an insurance company first and foremost.

And while the precise phrasing may be confusing, I'd emphasize: it's only temporary in a very limited sense, it is 100% a full license. Of course someone who just got a license can buy a car and get it insured (subject to driving record and cost only).

 

[steaky]

Hi,

I'm a UK & Canadian citizen and I'm returning to Ontario after several years overseas.

I was planning to switch my UK drivers license for an Ontario license as soon as I get back. I know that as soon as I surrender my UK license, they will issue me with a temporary license while I wait for the permanent one to arrive. I read online that it could take 4-8 weeks before my permanent Ontario license shows up.

The issue is that I was hoping to buy or lease a car straight away after getting back, but I'm reading online that I cannot buy or lease a car with a temporary license. They require only a permanent one. Does anyone know if this is the case? I really don't want to have to wait for 8 weeks for my permanent license to arrive before I can get a car? I'd really rather not have to get a rental while I wait.

Does anyone have any advice or suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

The temporary and permanent driver license have the same numbers. Here in BC, autoplan brokers only need our driver license number. So no problem buy or lease a car as long as one has a driver license number. Contrary to what @armoured said, one can also buy a car with a learner's license - it doesn't have to be a full license.

 

[armoured]

Contrary to what @armoured said, one can also buy a car with a learner's license - it doesn't have to be a full license.

I don't believe I said any such thing. Rather I don't think one even needs a driver's license to purchase a car in Ontario - but I'm not sure. My point is and was that the 'temporary' license is a full license, and if anyone would be able to confirm a license is 'full' (whatever the form of the document), it would be Service Ontario (where you register car purchases and driver's licenses.)

I'm quite certain insurance companies will understand this too, but - you know - you still want to check before getting a nasty surprise.

And yes - the DL# will be enough for anyone with access to confirm it's a 'real' license. If I remember correctly, they don't even say temporary, but rather that 'must be shown photo ID' or something like that (to account for the fact no picture) - but I don't have one to hand right now to check.

 

[pete6256]

Thanks for the responses everyone. I think when I asked google, it might have gotten confused and interpreted 'temporary' as being provisional or somehow not the equivalent of a full license.

I'm going to approach a few dealerships now and just ask them the question direct.

Thanks again!

 

[canuck78]

Also agree that the use of temporary is what is problematic. The paper copy of both driver’s licenses and health cards are valid but essentially a stopgap until the more sophisticated photo ID is produced and mailed to you.

 

[andrews17]

Not sure about other provinces, but I bought a car in Ontario 5 days after getting my first drivers license using the temporary document. It was cash payment, no lease or financing. Not sure if it would make a difference.

Edit: I just remember that I had a physical G1 (learning license) and the temporary full G. But I got the insurance with the temporary full G drivers license.