is a uk drivers licence recognised in canada?

Question

will i beable to drive in canada with my uk licence when i come over next year to immagrate, if so for how long and do i then have to sit another driving test?

Answer 1

It depends on the Province your moving too
each province regulates their own driving regulations .. in Ontario ..If you are a visitor to Ontario and want to drive while you are here, you must be at least 16 years old and have a valid driver's licence from your own province, state or country. If you are from another country and visiting Ontario for more than three months, you need an International Driver's Permit from your own country or you may have to apply for an Ontario driver's licence, depending on your length of stay. You should also ensure your automobile insurance coverage is sufficient, and that you carry the original or a true copy of the vehicle registration or Certificate of Title for your vehicle.

New Residents
If you are a new resident in Ontario and have a valid driver's licence from another province, state or country, you can use it for up to 60 days after you move to Ontario. If you want to keep driving in Ontario, you must get an Ontario driver's licence. You must use your Ontario licence when you are issued one. New Ontario residents have 30 days before they have to register their vehicles and get Ontario licence plates and vehicle permit.
And yes this will require a written and road test as well as an eye exam .

Answer 2

Most Canadian Provinces and US States require you to get a local license within a short period of time of establishing permanent residency. Typically this ranges between 30 and 90 days in most cases.

Don't worry about the short time period, though. The tests on this side of the pond are generally a joke compared to the British tests. You should pass with flying colours your first go. Depending upon the Province you may not even need to take the over-the-road test, just pass the eye exam and a relatively simple multiple question test and you'll be done.

Google the name of the province you'll be settling in along with "drivers license" and you should find plenty of hits that will tell you everything that you need to know.

Don't waste your time or money on an IDP. It's only a translation of your license and contrary to what some may say we do speak a version of English over here. ;) An IDP is ONLY valid when presented with your valid national, state or provincial license and does NOT replace the requirement to get a local license once you set up permanent residency.

Answer 3

In many places in the world it is wiser ot get a international driving permit. I don't know about the uk but here in the states you can get them at the post office, on line, at dmv and at the airport. I consult to car rental companies and many do not accept foreign licenses only international permits

Answer 4

...well you could just get an international drivers license... if you are immagrating you should do that for the time being. then later get the canadian license.