DUBAI RESIDENTS : HOW TO OBTAIN ONTARIO DRIVING LICENSE WITH OUR UAE LICENSE
Dear All,
Unfortunately UAE doesn't have a Reciprocal1 licence exchange agreement with Ontario. Thus, we cannot Swap our Dubai D/License to get a Toronto D/License.
Reciprocal1 License Exchange Agreement exists between Ontario and: US, Japan, Korea, Switzerland, Germany, France, UK, Austria & Belgium.
But, in that case do we have to start all over again ?
No.
We can immediately apply & get a Toronto (Ontario) Driving License thru the following procedure:
FIRSTLY:
1. Take a 'Letter of Authentication' (in English) from RTA, Dubai stating "more than 24 months" driving experience in our country/ies.
2. Take a 'True Translation Copy' (in English) of our Driving License from RTA, Dubai.
3. Both of the above can be combined in one letter.
4. Or obtain an International Driving License* from 'Arabian Automobiles Association' or 'Emirates Driving Institute'.
*This is nothing but a translated copy of our UAE driving license. (it can be used in lieu of the item stated in point-2 above).
With the foregoing, we can drive a car in Toronto for three (3) months (only). Within that time apply for the Ontario Driving License. The procedure of which is given at: http://www.drivetest.ca/en/license/OutOfCountryDrivers.aspx As well as I am listing below.
SECONDLY:
We are called 'Out of Country Drivers' and we can skip the G1 stage and get a G2 driving license with our 24 Months letter:
-All applicants for an Ontario driver's licence are required to;
-1. present a valid foreign driver's licence (if it is not in English or French, it is to be accompanied by a written translation from a qualified translator);
-2. pass a vision test and a written knowledge test regarding Ontario's traffic rules;
-3. pay all applicable fees;
-4. Provide acceptable proof of identity.
-Applicants are required to provide adequate proof of foreign driving experience. (However, if it is not there, the ministry will accept applicants' declaration of their foreign driving experience on the driver's licence application for up to a maximum of 12 months experience. In that case you get the G1* license only.
THIRDLY:
Based on the 24 months Authentication Letter the ministry will recognize the applicant's foreign driving experience as certified on the authentication letter AND,
-We can attempt the G2**Exit Road Tests (mandatory wait times are waived).
-Upon successfully passing the G2 Exit Road Test, we get the G2 license.
-After 3-4 moths of driving under G2 we will be issued a G*** licence.
-If applicants do not provide a letter of authentication, applicants must pass the G1 road test and must fulfill the 12-month waiting period prior to taking G2 road test.
*G1 licence has certain limitations like we have to always drive alongwith a G license holder. It is thus, useless for us, who have good & adequate driving experience under similar driving conditions & system as that of Canada.
**G2 license is as good as G, except that we cannot drive on the Highway at certain times (Midnight Rush Hrs. when truck movement starts).
***G License is the 'full fledged' driving license.
Hope that helps.