For new immigrants (exp drivers) how to get full DL in Canada ?

[sarimraza]

Dear All

I have been driving for a long time 20 years. I have driven in US previously have the DL from there but since ive moved its expired. My current DL is from Pakistan.

I have read that for experienced drivers, if they are from certain countries they can just swap with their existing DL (like US, australia) but for other countries (india, pakistan) you need your licence plus a letter from issuing department with sign and stamp.

Are you able to get the full G licence then or do you still need to take the g1, g2, g tests ?

Can you also specify the content of the letter issued by the authority ?

Thanks

 

[kriv]

Dear All

I have been driving for a long time 20 years. I have driven in US previously have the DL from there but since ive moved its expired. My current DL is from Pakistan.

I have read that for experienced drivers, if they are from certain countries they can just swap with their existing DL (like US, australia) but for other countries (india, pakistan) you need your licence plus a letter from issuing department with sign and stamp.

Are you able to get the full G licence then or do you still need to take the g1, g2, g tests ?

Can you also specify the content of the letter issued by the authority ? almost

Thanks

every province has its own requirements here in canada so it depends where you are planning to settle/live in canada.
As far as in Alberta (and most probably it would be generally/overall the same in other provinces with little difference). for Pakistani driver licence it is almost like a swapping if you are :-
1) an experience driver (having more than 2-3 years of driving experience)
2) and you have the secure version of the driving licence ( the new DL issued with security features not the old book style DL)

The process:
1) you first have to take the knowledge test (it is a simple computer test consisting of simple multiple choice questions). on passing the test you will instantly get your learner's licence (called class 7 in alberta). you also submit your Pakistani driver licence for evaluation and exemption. it takes about 2,3 weeks to update your previous experience in the system
2) once your exemption is approved and your previous experience is added into the system you are ready to take the road test for a GDL licence. i haven't seen anyone getting rejected if they have a proper secure Pakistani driver licence. yes if you have the older version of the driver licence (the book style or non-secure DL) then you can submit the letter issued by the authority to authenticate the driver's licence.
Note: a secure DL doesn't require any letter from Pakistani authority. ( i am sure being a Pakistani you understand the difference between the 2 types of DL which people had in pakistan)
on clearing the road test you are instantly issued class 5 (GDL)
3) again depending on your experience added based on your previous Pakistani DL you can shift to class 4 or any non-GDL ( commercial categories) by taking the advance road test anytime you want.

hope it helps

 

[FESTIVE DRACULA]

You need to have a letter from City Traffic Police Officer in PAK and then go for a knowledge test in Canada , you shall be given one attempt of G for experience more than 2 years . It is your choice to opt for G2 or G which you feel comfortable to go for ...Hope it helps !!

 

[rahul20978]

Does the same apply to Indian DLs, does anyone know? I am in pretty much the same situation, been driving in India since 1997, with a 5-year stint of driving in the US (2003-2008).

 

[sarimraza]

Dear

Thanks for your reply

I understand everything, but what do you mean by 'swapping' my previous countries DL -- will they check it and then issue me canadian after the test, or will they just keep my previous DL.

I need my previous countries DL back as well, since I will need it to drive when i visit my home country

Thanks