driver's license in Ontario while waiting for PR? (outland)

[Kayaker]

does anyone know about transferring a Japanese driver's license to an Ontario one while visiting and waiting for PR?

Japan has an agreement with Canada (or Ontario) so I should be able to get (exchange) an Ontario license, but I thought that was possible only after PR.

I recently applied for an extension of my visitor status and got it (valid until September 2015). They're sending me something in the mail about that, would that paper allow me to get an Ontario license?

Would be great if I could drive... I have a valid international license but need an Ontario license to be insured. I can rent a vehicle but that's not practical on a daily basis.

Any suggestions, links, etc. appreciated! Thank you.

 

[screech339]

does anyone know about transferring a Japanese driver's license to an Ontario one while visiting and waiting for PR?

Japan has an agreement with Canada (or Ontario) so I should be able to get (exchange) an Ontario license, but I thought that was possible only after PR.

I recently applied for an extension of my visitor status and got it (valid until September 2015). They're sending me something in the mail about that, would that paper allow me to get an Ontario license?

Would be great if I could drive... I have a valid international license but need an Ontario license to be insured. I can rent a vehicle but that's not practical on a daily basis.

Any suggestions, links, etc. appreciated! Thank you.

Odd as it is, Ontario Driver License department has no bearing on your immigration status in Canada. You can exchange your Japanese licence for an ontario licence. As long as your licence has valid or recently expired within last 1 (guessing here) then you can get it.

My wife was able to exchange her New Jersey driver licence without any question as to what her status in Canada. She was still waiting for her PR as time of applying for ontario licence.

Reason I say odd is that ontario service is very strict on the immigration status when it comes to Ontario health coverage but very liberal or lax on issuing driver licence.

Screech339

 

[Kayaker]

Thanks for the response!

Yes, I found it odd - I was somehow convinced I can't get an Ontario license without PR (or a work permit or study permit or smth) but I couldn't find anything about having to show a valid visa or PR card. You're right, they're really tough on the health card.

It's too bad, though, that I have to fly to Toronto to get a paper (a driver's record? or something like that) from the Japanese consulate there - they won't let me apply for it by mail, but I need the paper so that I don't have to take tests (other than checking my eyesight) for the Ontario license.

But if I can drive, that would be great!

 

[screech339]

Thanks for the response!

Yes, I found it odd - I was somehow convinced I can't get an Ontario license without PR (or a work permit or study permit or smth) but I couldn't find anything about having to show a valid visa or PR card. You're right, they're really tough on the health card.

It's too bad, though, that I have to fly to Toronto to get a paper (a driver's record? or something like that) from the Japanese consulate there - they won't let me apply for it by mail, but I need the paper so that I don't have to take tests (other than checking my eyesight) for the Ontario license.

But if I can drive, that would be great!

Well I was convinced similarly too for inland application. I thought it can't be done until AIP has been reached for OHIP and Driver Licence. When we applied for driver's licence the day after AIP was reached, the people at the license office didn't bat an eye on my wife's immigration status. They didn't even bother asking for my wife's status at all. I asked them about her status, they told me, immigration status has no bearing on issuing licence. They only care if foreign licence is longer than 2-3 years will they determine if additional tests are required other than eye test.

I guess it is because as a driver is paying everyone themselves. No tax payer is involved in paying for your car insurance. So no need to restrict the driver's licence as much as OHIP as OHIP is covered by taxpayers.

 

[Creampop]

In Ontario the law says if you are here for 60 days you must exchange your DL when I exchanged mine on a visitor's visa I had to show my passport. Even tho the US has an agreement to share experience years (which were carried over) I had to provide 10 years worth of insurance records from before moving here to get the lower rates before I got the records I was being charged as a new driver.