Procedures for Getting a Driver’s Licence as a Foreigner in Ontario

Procedures for Getting a Driver’s Licence as a Foreigner in Ontario‌

One of the first problems for foreign citizens who want to settle in Ontario is the need to get a driver’s licence to drive. What does a foreigner in Ontario need to do to get a driver’s license? What are the stages of obtaining a driver’s license in Ontario? What considerations should be considered? Is it possible to get a driver’s license in Ontario by a shortcut? In this article, we will try to explain these things to you. 

Foreign citizens are only allowed to drive in Ontario with their own country’s driver’s licenses for 2 months. At the end of this, you need to get a valid driver’s license in the state. In Ontario, a three-stage examination process is required to obtain a driver’s license. These processes are G1, G2, and G. Now let’s briefly tell you about these processes. For details, you can get in touch with us (Master Driving School).

Exchange of Licenses for Countries with Mutual Jurisdiction

The province of Ontario has license exchange agreements with all Canadian provinces and territories, including Canadian Forces in Europe. However, Ontario has license exchange agreements with Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, The Isle of Man, Japan, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Republic of Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, and The United States.

Drivers coming to Ontario from these countries will be able to get a valid G driver’s licence in Ontario. The only necessary condition for this is that they have an equivalent driver’s license. Those who have less than two years of driving experience need to enter the Second Level of the graduated driver’s license system. If you have a total of two years of driving experience, you can take a Second-Level road test to gain full driving authority.

Exchange of Licenses for Non-Reciprocal Jurisdictions

Foreigners from countries that do not mutually have a license exchange agreement with the province of Ontario, after applying for a driver’s license;

  • Must provide a valid driver’s license belonging to their country,
  • Must successfully pass a vision test,
  • Must be successful in the knowledge test,
  • Pay the necessary fees for the driver’s license,
  • Must present a valid identity document.

 

Anyone who meets the requirements listed above can have a G1 driver’s licence. The 12-month driving experience period required to take the G1 exit exam can be shortened by combining driving experiences in Ontario and a foreign country. However, the successful completion of the initial driver training course approved by the ministry allows this period to be reduced to eight months.

In statements on the experience of driving in Ontario, up to 12 months, the applicant’s discourses may be taken into account. Formal proof should be put forward in higher experience statements.

Official documents on the declaration of experience can be obtained by applicants from embassies/consulates or the institution issuing the driver’s license. This document must be translated and approved in English or French. A 24-month driving experience in Ontario and a foreign country is required from all applicants before the G2 exit exam. For driving experiences to be valid, the experiences of the last three years are taken into account.

Getting a G1 License

To have a G1 license in Ontario, the first requirement is to be over the age of 16. After that, it is necessary to pass a written test on traffic rules and traffic warning signs. In this written test, 20 questions are asked on each subject. For each test, you need to answer 80% correctly. So you must have at least 16 correct answers in both exams. 

Sample questions about this training and exam, also conducted by the Master Driving School, are available in abundance on the internet. By solving these tests, you can prepare for the G1 Test. Foreigners who do not have enough knowledge of English also have the option to take the exam in their language for free. Currently, there are more than 20 different language options, and you can take the G1 test in your language. You may take our G1 Knowledge Test Preparation Course or the practice tests in English, French, Hindi, Chinese, Arabic, or Turkish to feel more confident before the exam.

Immediately after you take the G1 Test in the province of Ontario, your exam result is announced by the authorities. If you succeed in the exam, you are given a temporary driver’s license. Your card is mailed to your address 2-3 weeks after that. If you did not succeed in the G1 test, you can immediately re-enter the exam by paying a fee of about $ 20. If you want, you can repeat the same exam at a later date. If you failed only one subject in the exam you entered on traffic rules and traffic warning signs, you will take the exam again from that section.

When you get a G1 driver’s license; to go to traffic, you must have someone with a 4-year G driver’s license. To drive on highways, you must have a licensed steering instructor with you. Even if you have a G1 driver’s license, it is decidedly forbidden to drink alcohol or drive between 12 and 5 hours at night.

Getting a G2 License

The third and final step to obtaining a driver’s license in Ontario, Canada is the G driver’s license. 1 year after obtaining a G2 driver’s license, you can take the exam to obtain a G driver’s license.

In the G exam, it is necessary to pay attention to procedures similar to the G2 test. In addition, you are checking whether you are driving safely on the highway. You have to connect to the highway at 100 km, which is the maximum speed applicable to the Ontario highway rules. Taking into account the availability of the road, long-term exceeding or falling below 100 km is among the reasons for failure.

Another important consideration is blind spot control. In Ontario, Canada, simply checking the rear-view mirror or side mirrors is not considered sufficient to obtain a driver’s license. During lane changes, observers are paying attention to whether you look back quickly and detect the blind spot.

Every person who receives a G driver’s license can use any vehicle, including a commercial vehicle, at any time, on any road. It can last up to a glass (0.05 BAC) of alcohol. Both car insurance and fines paid increase if more alcohol is taken.

Finally, we want to inform you about some important details that will be useful.

  • If you have a driver’s license belonging to your own country, having it translated by a sworn translator or receiving a translation from the consulate will allow you to pass the G1 and G2 exams.
  • You can use your car to take the exams. If you want to use the exam center’s tool, you will need to pay an additional fee.
  • As in Ontario, driving traditions in other countries and cities are different from each other. That, in turn, those who come from foreign countries should be familiar with the traffic rules of Ontario. It would be useful for you to study the Official MTO Driver’s Handbook and the website of the Ministry of Transportation to find out these rules in advance.

 

How is the procedure for obtaining a driver’s license for those who come from outside Ontario (other states or countries)? We are waiting for your questions and comments on this article, in which we answer the question. Master Driving school officials can talk to those who are stuck in your head about these and similar issues.