Driving and Car Rental for New PRs

[LionHeart76]

Hello All,

I will be landing in Montreal (airport) in about a month or so. I would like to ask the following questions:

1) Will I be able to rent a car (until my car, which I will be shipping from my home country, is delivered) given that I don't have a Canadian Credit/Debit card? Will car rental companies at the airport accept cash for deposit, etc? Or, like in the USA, they accept only credit cards and run the customer's credit history?

2) I have an American Driver's License (will be few months expired by the time of landing), and I was wondering if I could use it to drive around until I get a Quebec driver's license?

3) When my car arrives, and I know I have to register it in Quebec, how much is (approximately):
- Registration
- Insurance (average)
- Any other fees?

4) What is the procedure/steps to get my Quebec driver's license, and how long does it take me to get my DL? Like I said, I drove overseas in many countries, including around 8 years in the USA, and I can provide a proof of driving history and clean driving record.

I know you people have a life to live, and you might not have time to answer all my questions, but any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[eurmione]

1) Will I be able to rent a car (until my car, which I will be shipping from my home country, is delivered) given that I don't have a Canadian Credit/Debit card? Will car rental companies at the airport accept cash for deposit, etc? Or, like in the USA, they accept only credit cards and run the customer's credit history?

Driving a car in Montreal is not really a good idea if you are new to the area. The public transit is very good. I have been living in Montreal for 10 years without needing a car. You can take the bus 747 and then metro system to anywhere.

They require Credit card (VISA or Master card). It doesnt have to be a Canadian one. Any Visa/Master card from anywhere in the world works. I have never heard any place accept cash. How much can they take to insure their car? (20K???) So Credit card


2) I have an American Driver's License (will be few months expired by the time of landing), and I was wondering if I could use it to drive around until I get a Quebec driver's license?

Normally, you have 90 days to change. You can use US license


3) When my car arrives, and I know I have to register it in Quebec, how much is (approximately):
- Registration: 250 (I believe)
- Insurance (average): You dont say what type of car or model. It can be from 100$/year to 100000$/year. Depends on the type of insurance, location, model, year, insurance company, etc.
- Any other fees? your license fee of course


4) What is the procedure/steps to get my Quebec driver's license, and how long does it take me to get my DL? Like I said, I drove overseas in many countries, including around 8 years in the USA, and I can provide a proof of driving history and clean driving record.

Please contact SAAQ for more information. Last time I heard, you still have to do all the tests, but you dont have to wait a year like first time people

 

[LionHeart76]

Thank you very much. Your input is highly appreciated!

1) Will I be able to rent a car (until my car, which I will be shipping from my home country, is delivered) given that I don't have a Canadian Credit/Debit card? Will car rental companies at the airport accept cash for deposit, etc? Or, like in the USA, they accept only credit cards and run the customer's credit history?

Driving a car in Montreal is not really a good idea if you are new to the area. The public transit is very good. I have been living in Montreal for 10 years without needing a car. You can take the bus 747 and then metro system to anywhere.

They require Credit card (VISA or Master card). It doesnt have to be a Canadian one. Any Visa/Master card from anywhere in the world works. I have never heard any place accept cash. How much can they take to insure their car? (20K???) So Credit card


2) I have an American Driver's License (will be few months expired by the time of landing), and I was wondering if I could use it to drive around until I get a Quebec driver's license?

Normally, you have 90 days to change. You can use US license


3) When my car arrives, and I know I have to register it in Quebec, how much is (approximately):
- Registration: 250 (I believe)
- Insurance (average): You dont say what type of car or model. It can be from 100$/year to 100000$/year. Depends on the type of insurance, location, model, year, insurance company, etc.
- Any other fees? your license fee of course


4) What is the procedure/steps to get my Quebec driver's license, and how long does it take me to get my DL? Like I said, I drove overseas in many countries, including around 8 years in the USA, and I can provide a proof of driving history and clean driving record.

Please contact SAAQ for more information. Last time I heard, you still have to do all the tests, but you dont have to wait a year like first time people