Obtaining a Driver’s License in Canada

The vast territory of the country and the developed network of highways in Canada presuppose that every adult citizen of this country has a driver’s license. As a rule, Canadians seek to obtain a driver’s license as early as adolescence. However, this very lengthy procedure can take several years.

Peculiarities of Licensing Drivers in Canada

Most people, who come to permanent residence in Canada, strive to acquire such a useful document as the right to drive a vehicle. Besides, this is not surprising. After all, a driver’s license not only gives the right to manage a particular type of car but is also a full-fledged document that certifies the identity of its owner.

The second feature of licensing drivers in Canada is the presence of discrepancies in the procedure and the timing of obtaining certain driving rights in different provinces. That is, for example, in Alberta, one can get the driving license of the first level at the age of 14. While in the rest of Canada, including Ontario, the process of getting a driver’s license can only begin at the age of 16.

Another feature of the Canadian licensing system for drivers is its computability. A step system (GLP – Graduated Licensing) licensing process has been put in place for Canadian youth to get a driving license. However, immigrants who never had a driver’s license and decide to get one for the first time in Canada should go through all the necessary steps of such a system.

Driving License Levels on the Example of the Province of Ontario

In Ontario, there are two main types of driver’s licenses: driving license and motorcycle driving license, moped and similar vehicles. In this case, the following types of driving license are: 

  • Learner’s Permit Rights–G1

To obtain a G1, you must pass only a test of knowledge and a vision check. You may only drive a car in the presence of someone over the age of 18 and only in the daytime. As for Blood Alcohol Content, BAC, it should be zero.

  • Probationary License–G2

A G2 certificate is issued to those who have passed the driving test, but not earlier than one year (in some cases, eight months), after obtaining the rights of the G1. The owner of the G2 can drive on all roads and highways of Ontario without an accompanying person. However, BAC should be zero, and the number of passengers should not exceed the amount of working seat belts.

  • Full License–G

A G license is issued one year after obtaining the G2 certificate, and after passing a second test which includes driving on the highway. Such a permit gives the right to drive cars up to 80 years of age. However, before 22 years of age, the BAC must correspond to zero (after 22 years of age, the upper bound of 0.05 is allowed).

Other Driving Licenses

M1, M2 and M categories have different conditions. Category E allows you to drive a bus transporting schoolchildren with no more than 24 passengers.

In addition, all of the above licenses may contain a note about certain restrictions. In other Canadian provinces, a different classification of driver’s licenses with a different functional load may apply.

What should those who already have Rights granted in another Country do?

Quite often, the question arises as to how motorists who already have a driver’s license from another country or Canadian province should be issued a license. First, note that the driving license of the international standard is valid in Canada from three to six months, depending on the province. In particular, in the area of Ontario, this period is three months. Besides, holders of study permits and work permit for the duration of such licenses.

To get a Canadian license, you will have to go through the above procedure briefly. First, in addition to having a driver’s license issued in another country, Canadian authority will require confirmation of the presence of driving experience for at least two years. To do this, it makes sense to stock up with a certificate in your own country even before you move to Canada.

The presence of such a license will allow you to skip getting a driver’s license category G2 (Probationary permit). That is, having the category G1 (Learner’s Permit), you can immediately take exams for a document that will allow you to drive on all types of roads without restrictions – category G (Full license) certificates. In any case, to get a Canadian license, it is necessary to pass a theoretical part and practical driving, including driving skills on the highway.

Thus, getting a driver’s license in Canada is quite a lengthy procedure. Also, there are differences in different provinces of the country, both in the types of driver’s licenses and in the features of the process for getting it. However, in general, the right to drive a vehicle is an integral part of the life of any resident of Canada. Therefore, it is very desirable for an immigrant to receive this document.

Melisa Marzett is a professional writer with more than 10 years of experience in freelancing. Currently writing for online essay editors, she provides with articles of an excellent quality. She writes daily because she believes that to be a key to success.

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