Driver's License - when to apply?

[godisFin]

You need a certified translation of your license to prove that what you are giving to them is not your library card. That is what I was told anyway

Ok. Well, it says driver's license in english but all the other text is in finnish... would that be enough?

 

[Leon]

The only way to find out would be to bring it and ask. If they say no, you can still get the translation. However keep in mind that it may not be easy to find a certified Finnish to English translator if you are in a small town.

 

[godisFin]

The only way to find out would be to bring it and ask. If they say no, you can still get the translation. However keep in mind that it may not be easy to find a certified Finnish to English translator if you are in a small town.

Yeah, I guess I'll just go and ask what they want.
Luckily my license is also in swedish so the translator might be easier to find. And I live in Toronto area, so I guess there is someone in the area.
Thanks again!

 

[itstime]

Yeah, I guess I'll just go and ask what they want.
Luckily my license is also in swedish so the translator might be easier to find. And I live in Toronto area, so I guess there is someone in the area.
Thanks again!

You can't just use any translator. You HAVE to use the embassy/consulate. Unless you ask for an english or french translation driectly from the finish authorities.

My Toronto consulate is open two mornings a week and of course I missed the opening hours on thursday so have to got tuesday now.

Here are a few links:
http://www.ontario.ca/driving-and-roads/exchange-foreign-drivers-licence

Pay attention to point 7 here:
http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/exchange-faq.shtml

 

[godisFin]

You can't just use any translator. You HAVE to use the embassy/consulate. Unless you ask for an english or french translation driectly from the finish authorities.

My Toronto consulate is open two mornings a week and of course I missed the opening hours on thursday so have to got tuesday now.

Here are a few links:
http://www.ontario.ca/driving-and-roads/exchange-foreign-drivers-licence

Pay attention to point 7 here:
http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/exchange-faq.shtml

Thanks!
My only problem is that I understood that I need to get the driver's license translated. I have no problem getting that "authentication document", but it's not the same as translating driver's license. I just find it strange if I need to get that authentication document plus get the driver's license translated by a certified translator. I think the letter tells already what my driving history is. I'm just going to go ask them what they want and then just do it.

 

[itstime]

Thanks!
My only problem is that I understood that I need to get the driver's license translated. I have no problem getting that "authentication document", but it's not the same as translating driver's license. I just find it strange if I need to get that authentication document plus get the driver's license translated by a certified translator. I think the letter tells already what my driving history is. I'm just going to go ask them what they want and then just do it.

The authentication letter IS the translation letter. ;-) Same same but different.

 

[Leon]

In AB a few years ago, I neither had a translation nor a driving experience letter. My IDP along with my drivers license was considered proof enough. However, I think ON wants a translation of your license and an experience letter unless you are self-declaring 12 months experience or less.

 

[godisFin]

In AB a few years ago, I neither had a translation nor a driving experience letter. My IDP along with my drivers license was considered proof enough. However, I think ON wants a translation of your license and an experience letter unless you are self-declaring 12 months experience or less.

Yeah, that's what I thought. I don't want to do that 12 months thing, because I have 10 years driving experience. I want to do as less as possible to get a license here.

 

[buliwyf]

Bring a certificate of driving record from your home country's land transport office.

I got my G1 after my 1st week of landing. Just take the review quiz on the internet. Or buy the $16 MTO Handbook.

On my 2nd week of landing, the License Photo Card arrived in the mail. I now have a valid ID card! No need to look like a foreigner showing your passport to people when they ask for an ID.

Then I got my G2 after my 3rd week of landing (2 weeks after I got my G1). Took a 3-hour drive instructor review course, just to be familiar with the road rules here ($120 total). I borrowed a relative's car for the actual road test.

I bought my car here on my 4th week after landing. $3,000 for the car. $5,600+/year for insurance ($470/mo). Yeah, expect a crazy high insurance rate. I'm a new immigrant, 1st time insurance policy holder AND I live in Brampton. That means highest insurance rates for me. Lowest rates I got were from TDInsurance and Scotia.

Next month I might take a full G road test. I'm still thinking if I'll spend another $120 for a drive instructor, or just go for it right away. After getting a full G, insurance rate will adjust lower (but just a tiny bit!).


After a year, I'l move away from Brampton, not be a new immigrant, not be a 1st time insurance policy holder, Full G license holder and hopefully, have zero insurance claims. Hopefully, my insurance will dramatically go down. But for now, i'll just suck it up.

 

[Goran01]

Hi guys,

I have a non-exchangeable driving license and I have a Letter of Authentication to prove that I have over 2 years of driving experience. I want to get my G2 driving license (without taking a road test) on the basis of my non-exchange license + Letter of Authentication. Does anybody know how long it takes for the Canadian Ministry of Transportation to approve my exchange license + Letter of Authentication and issue me a G2 license?
Regards,

 

[buliwyf]

Hi guys,

I have a non-exchangeable driving license and I have a Letter of Authentication to prove that I have over 2 years of driving experience. I want to get my G2 driving license (without taking a road test) on the basis of my non-exchange license + Letter of Authentication. Does anybody know how long it takes for the Canadian Ministry of Transportation to approve my exchange license + Letter of Authentication and issue me a G2 license?
Regards,

Everybody from a non-exchange agreement country MUST take the road test to either get a G2 or G. My certificate states 13 years driving experience and I needed to take the G1 Knowledge Test, Road Test for G2 (G1 Exit Test) and Road Test for a Full G (G2 Exit Test).

What you can do is take a road test straight for a full G license (skipping G2, which is possible if you have a certification letter). Just make sure you take a driving lesson in Canada first. Though you already have the driving skills, unless you drive in the USA, road rules are very different and the road tests are VERY strict.

 

[Goran01]

thanks buliwyf, but it appears from the below site that Road Test for G2 (G1 Exit Test) is waived and Road Test for a Full G (G2 Exit Test) is only required:

drivetest.ca/EN/licencing/Pages/Out-of-Country-Drivers.aspx

 

[buliwyf]

thanks buliwyf, but it appears from the below site that Road Test for G2 (G1 Exit Test) is waived and Road Test for a Full G (G2 Exit Test) is only required:

drivetest.ca/EN/licencing/Pages/Out-of-Country-Drivers.aspx

Yes you may skip the G1 exit test and go straight to G2 exit test for a full G license, if you provide them with more than 24 months of driving experience.

 

[itstime]

Just make sure you take a driving lesson in Canada first. Though you already have the driving skills, unless you drive in the USA, road rules are very different and the road tests are VERY strict.

You beat me to it. I am planning on taking a couple of lessons as well. After 24 years I'm bound to have picked up bad habits and there is no point in flunking because of it. I also have the book and the G1 theory test on my ipad. It is tougher than you think.

Still didn't make it to the consulate this week to pick up my translation/authentication. I guess tuesday is it and by then I hope to have a permanent address too.

 

[RD.NewDelhi]

Hey guys -- i have one query -- basically i am from Punjab and in laws are in Delhi -- and i have heard DL and authentication letter works only if name and address on the drivers licence is same as it is on my passport ( as i got my last name and address changed on my passport ) -- on DL it is as it is on my old passport -- Does this thing make any difference?? If i show my Indian Driving Licence and authentication letter with my both tje passport -- will it work?

please help !?!