Driver's License - when to apply?

[vineethere]

Couple quesions about Driver's License -

1. Should i make a IDP from my home country (india) before arriving? If yes, how long is a IDP valid in Canada?
2. Someone told, the normal DL (not IDP) is itself valid for few days/months. Is this correct? what is that duration?
3. How soon can i apply for a Ontario license? Heard that one needs to wait for couple months before applying. Is that right?
4. If i can apply immediately upon arrival, how soon i will get it?

Pls let me know.

-Vineet

 

[Leon]

1. If you were planning to stay in Ontario for 6 months as a tourist, you could drive on your IDP but if you are settling you have 2 months. Therefore, there isn't much reason for you to get an IDP.

2. In Ontario, 2 months.

3. In Ontario, you can apply right away but if you don't, you may not drive on your home country license any more after 2 months.

4. You should read up on it here: http://www.ontario.ca/driving-and-roads/exchange-foreign-drivers-licence
Because your country does not have an exchange program with Canada, you will need an official letter proving your driving experience. I don't know where you get this in India, police, traffic authority? Ask around. The letter should be in English or French. You will also need your drivers license translated if it's not in English or French. You need to present this to a DriveTest centre in Ontario. You will be cleared to take the written test right away. If you pass, you may have to wait for them to go through your documents and approve you for the road test but that shouldn't take very long. After you pass the road test, you will get your license. In Alberta you would get a paper license right away and the real one mail to you when it's ready. I don't know if it's like that in Ontario too. In order to pass the written test, you should study the drivers handbook. You can find it here: http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/handbook/

 

[vineethere]

Thanks Leon.

One question about point 4 - Are you saying even though i have my Indian DL (which is in English), i still need a paper from some authority here to prove that i can drive? So, at the time of applying Ontario license, i need to provide my Indian DL + letter from Indian authority?

(I read the link and thats what i understand for non-exchange persons).

THanks.

 

[Leon]

Yes. You need a letter to prove your driving history. This is because Canada has a graduated drivers license system. That means that a new driver must first take a written test and get a learners license. In Ontario, that is called G1. This license only allows the learner driver to drive alongside a fully licensed person for practice. After one year, the learner driver can attempt the basic road test in order to get a probationary license. In Ontario, that license is called G2. This license allows the driver to drive alone but has certain restrictions, for example you can not get a taxi license or a truck license if you only have a G2 and you will get in trouble for less demerit points than a full license as well as you are allowed 0.0 alcohol while a fully licensed driver can get away with a beer or two. After 1 year on a G2 license, the driver may attempt the advanced road test to get a full license.

As the link says, you may self declare up to 1 year of driving experience. Therefore, if you can not get a letter, you can at most be credited for 1 year driving experience which means you may only attempt the basic road test and can only get a G2 license. If you have more than 2 years experience and a letter, you can attempt the advanced road test to get a full license right away. If you do not care to have a full license and decide that G2 is enough for you for the first year, then you can skip the letter.

 

[msaleem216]

thank u leon very informative
saleem

 

[vineethere]

Thanks Leon! Appreciate!

Ironic that, i am a driving enthusiastic here (do frequent off roading and excursions), but need to prove it!

Let me see, if I can get some letter here.

Thanks.

 

[vineethere]

Hi - so, i tried my bit to find an authority who gives such letter, but not able to figure out.

Does anyone from India got this so called Driving "experience" letter? If yes, pls let me know who has got such a letter before. I am in Bangalore, so anyone from Bangalore can guide, it will be even more great.

Pls let me know.

-Vineet

 

[Leon]

On this thread: http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/-t39566.0.html look at the first page, last message, there is somebody from Mumbai. He says:

Hi binny8,

In Mumbai you can get the licence letter.
You need to go to RTO Andheri W and catch hold of any agent or through any motor training school in your area the letter is called Licence extract.
All it says is that the licence is issued to --- from ---date to --- date and it mentions that there is no traffic violations found on our record.
This is the only letter that they issue hence I think this should suffice as it has the details of our licence and the start date and the end date and that no offences are found. it does not talk of any driving experience which they do not give in Mumbai.

Regards,
Pm48633

Do you have an RTO where you live?

 

[itstime]

Hi - so, i tried my bit to find an authority who gives such letter, but not able to figure out.

Does anyone from India got this so called Driving "experience" letter? If yes, pls let me know who has got such a letter before. I am in Bangalore, so anyone from Bangalore can guide, it will be even more great.

Pls let me know.

-Vineet

Contact the authorities who issue the license or do as I did. Go to your embassy/consulate when you arrive and have them write the "translation" of your license. I'm picking up my translation tomorrow.

 

[vineethere]

Hi Leon - Yes. Every city will have multiple RTOs that cover different suburban areas in taht city. So, i too fall in a RTO jurisdiction (depending on where I live in Bangalore). So, i did go to them and asked. They told, all they provide is the IDP. They were not aware of any such experience letter.

But, i havent approached the Motor schools or used the term "License extract". I will check that with the Motor driving schools. But, still as the post also says - there is no experience letter as such, so will the "License extract" suffice?


Hi itstime - thanks for the point. Can you little more elaborate on the "Translation" part? You mean, just come with your Indian DL and go to Indian embassy in Toronto (for eg) and then ask them for license translation? I didnt quite get that. My license is already in English. What additional translation will they provide?

Thanks,
Vineet

 

[Leon]

A letter stating that your DL was issued more than 2 years ago will verify that your driving experience is more than 2 years so I think that should suffice.

 

[itstime]

Hi itstime - thanks for the point. Can you little more elaborate on the "Translation" part? You mean, just come with your Indian DL and go to Indian embassy in Toronto (for eg) and then ask them for license translation? I didnt quite get that. My license is already in English. What additional translation will they provide?

Thanks,
Vineet

Yup. That's pretty much it. I guess it is a precaution as fake licenses float around and Canada wants to be sure that they pass on a license to someone who can drive and haven't just received the license in a cornflakes package.

I swung by my embassy yesterday, they took a copy of the license and gave me my original and tomorrow I can pick up the "translation". Mine is also in english, or rather, not one country can not understand what I am licensed to drive.

 

[vineethere]

So, you got your translation? How does it read? Do you mind typing it out here?

 

[godisFin]

Good to find this thread here! I also need to get Ontario driver's license and I'm so confused about getting the translation from my license!! What's the point? I can easily get a letter from my home country's government that I've had the license for 11 years.. Shouldn't that be enough already?!

Thanks!

 

[Leon]

Good to find this thread here! I also need to get Ontario driver's license and I'm so confused about getting the translation from my license!! What's the point? I can easily get a letter from my home country's government that I've had the license for 11 years.. Shouldn't that be enough already?!

Thanks!

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