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T0RR0

Full Member
Jan 15, 2011
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Visa Office......
CPC-Ottawa
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Hello!

I apologize if I am posting this in the wrong section - couldn't find anywhere to post for help.

I have been living in Canada for 6 years now, and I am awaiting my PR under CEC.

I am considering buying a car. I have my home country driver's license, which is not under the Ontario Driver's License Exchange Agreement. The license is 10 years old, valid. I have significant driving experience overall, but little experience in Canada - other than the occasional car rental for trips, events, and moving, which obviously amounts to less than 12 months in the last 3 years.

I am confused now as to how to drive a car if I decide to buy one. I can get the G1 license, but I wouldn't be able to drive a car without accompanying sponsor (with 4+ years of experience). If I can't drive the car because of that, I can't accumulate the 12 months of driving experience, and I can't get my G2. I would be stuck in this loop, wouldn't I?

If anyone had similar experience, please advise!
 
If you've been driving for more than 2 years (?) in your home country and have the documents to prove that (e.g. Valid Driver's License and/or certification), then you can immediately jump to the full G Licensing Test (without going through the G1 stage).
 
You can self declare 12 months of driving experience with your foreign license and get a G2 license directly. I know quite a few guys who did it in last 2-3 years.

http://www.ontario.ca/driving-and-roads/exchange-foreign-drivers-licence

And, you shall stop using your foreign license for rentals. You are not supposed to use a foreign license in ON for more than 60 days. I got a written warning for using my US license beyond 60 days (was pulled over for speeding though).
 
thanks!

my understanding is that effective may 1, 2006, they judge you based on the months of driving experience in the last 3 years. in my case, that's close to 0 :(

hope I'm wrong
 
Correct.

But this rule is not enforced consistently. A friend (in similar situation as yours) was able to get a G2 license (in 2013). First rep at Service Ontario refused to acknowledge self declaration, while another one (visited a different Service Ontario (I think in Mississauga) a week later) accepted and issued a G2 license.

T0RR0 said:
thanks!

my understanding is that effective may 1, 2006, they judge you based on the months of driving experience in the last 3 years. in my case, that's close to 0 :(

hope I'm wrong
 
sumeetkarora said:
Correct.

But this rule is not enforced consistently. A friend (in similar situation as yours) was able to get a G2 license (in 2013). First rep at Service Ontario refused to acknowledge self declaration, while another one (visited a different Service Ontario (I think in Mississauga) a week later) accepted and issued a G2 license.

thanks! and in case I don't have the same luck, I assume I'd have to get my G1, wait 12 months, then pretend like I've been driving regularly with my friend, get my g2 and only then buy the car?