While you are preparing, here are some clues of what you have to expect and what you can start to read:
I am going to tell you about
Driving Test in Ontario (very similar to all English Canada)
We came from Moldova and have done all the letters (letter from your ministry about your driving experience in Russia, letter from insurance company and copy of your driver license) in advance with translations. I can update you on some important issue!
1. MTO (Ministry of Transportation of Ontario) doesn’t accept anymore translations from your home country – only certified translation from Canadian certified translator. So don’t spend money on translations!
2. Before giving an exam I strongly suggest you to take at least 1-2 driving lessons!!! There are small issues special only for Canada that can cost several trials. Instructor will guide you through them easily. For example: how you turn your head on intersections (experienced drivers were failing time after time only because they were not turning their head 3 times on every intersection); when you park back side you MUST look through your shoulder and not in mirrors etc.
3. Spend some extra money and take the Certified Driving Courses. It takes 4 days theory and some practical (in car) lessons, but it gives you discount on your car insurance. As they (insurance companies) take in consideration only your driving experience in Canada (and US sometimes) this certificate can reduce your insurance on 15%!!! Believe me – that’s a lot!
4. Car insurance is very expensive, especially for newcomers. We got the cheapest possible one and it cost us 440$ a month for the new Toyota Corolla. Call as many insurance companies as you can to find the cheapest quote. And use Certificate I told you before. Declare the shortest distance you are going to drive (the less you kind of drive the smaller quote you gonna receive). Availability of garage or parking spot will also reduce your insurance cost.
5. Calling companies consider TD Bank (best quotes, but very-very long consideration period 1-2 months). We took ours in Desjardin (2 days and the best price after TD). But all insurance companies have their promotions and changes so be sure to check all possible options. If you take car insurance with house insurance – can be cheaper (local issue)!
6. About driving school in Toronto – there are plenty advertising online, but we took A&L Sprint Driving School. We were very happy! Their instructor – Arie Daich. He speaks English, Russian and Hebrew and he is very calm, patient and gives you tips on everything! We also took their car for the Drive Test. Here driver examiners feels more relaxed when you giving test on instructor’s car because it has second pare of brakes
and they have more control in critical situation.
7. Be sure to prepare for the Written Test in advance (in home country), because here you will have a lot of things to settle down and worry. Take at least one away! You can download the Driver’s Handbook for Ontario on MTO web site or practice there online.
8. You have 60 days that you can drive with your foreign license, but the insurance will cost you huge amount of money! Driving without insurance is illegal and can get you in a very serious trouble, even refuse of citizenship in the long run.
9. Usefull links:
Driving School – www.alsprintdriving.com
Driver’s Handbook - http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/handbook/index.shtml