Driver's License info

mari-mac
Senior Member



Joined: 01 Sep 2006
Posts: 94
Location: U.K.

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 10:14 am

 

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The DVLA website seems to say it is any Canadian license (not just Alberta/Canada). From the DVLA website Steven posted, I followed it to this link: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLice...icence/DG_4022562

Following the Interactive Guidance provided the following:

You can only exchange your current driving licence for up to five years from when you become resident, provided your licence remains valid. If your licence is lost or stolen you will need to obtain written confirmation of your driving licence from the issuing licensing authority to send with your application.

Canadian driving licence

When exchanging your Canadian driving licence you will only be able to drive automatic vehicles. To be able to drive manual vehicles, you will need to provide acceptable proof from the issuing authority or an approved driving school showing that a manual car test was passed.

What you need to do

* complete the application form D1, available from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) form ordering service or from Post Office® branches
* enclose original identity documentation confirming your identity
* enclose one passport sized colour photograph
* enclose the fee of £45.00, cheque or postal orders made payable to ‘DVLA, Swansea’
* enclose your current driving licence (this will be returned to the issuing licensing authority)
* send your completed application to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BT or you may be able to use the premium checking service

What happens next
Your new driving licence will normally be issued within 15 working days from the day the DVLA receives your application

Note that while you have 5 years to exchange your license, you can only drive on your Canadian one for 12 months - so it is worth doing it.

My other tip is that while you are on your Canadian license, you can rent Manual cars - so you may want to take advantage of this, so you can practice driving Manual over here, if you're going to take the test.

The other thing is that I don't know anyone who's been able to prove they did their test on a Manual.
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Tigerlea
Senior Member



Joined: 02 Jan 2008
Posts: 96
Location: Surrey, England

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 11:54 am

 

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Please note: GDL is not an automatic only license (if that is what you mean by 'provisional license for a manual transmission). It is a new scheme by the government to have new drivers 'under watch', so to speak. You can get your learners license, but must have it for a year before taking your drivers test for your GDL. GDL stands for Graduated Drivers License. You have this for two years, and in the case that you pass all prerequisites (up to a certain number of demerits, never caught driving under the influence, and a few other things) you can go for your second drivers test. The GDL IS a full license (I believe, at least), you're just under certain rules for it. My two years have been up for nearly a year, but it costs an extra $100 to do the second driving test. It's basically just to make sure that new drivers don't. screw up, because most of the statistics out there say a lot of accidents are caused by new drivers. It's also to make sure you can actually drive and follow the rules of the road.



If this is not what you meant, sorry! Haha.

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Steven
CanuckAbroad VIP



Joined: 28 Sep 2007
Posts: 1637
Location: Calgary

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 10:54 pm

 

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I was talking about provisional licenses in the UK. "Provisional" licence is a quaint way of saying a learner's permit.

What it says in that DVLA blurb is that you get a licence for automatic transmission only, not sure why, but there it is. However it will be provisional for manual transmission, i.e. you can put "L" plates on your car and get someone to sit in the car with you who has a full licence and they can teach you to drive a manual transmission car.

It's very rare imx for anyone to have automatic transmission only in the UK (basically only people over 70 who cannot pass the full test anymore due to infirmity of some sort are the only people I've ever encountered), even if your own car is automatic 90% of people seem to have manual transmission so you will need a licence to drive one, e.g. if you rent a car. I had automatic transmission in my car when I lived there and I never ceased to be amazed by the people who would get in my car and stare at the gear stick in puzzlement as I drove off without touching it.

My advice to you is to get your full Class 5 licence, exchange it for a UK licence when you get to the UK and then do the driving test and get the full licence.
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Steve.

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Steven
CanuckAbroad VIP



Joined: 28 Sep 2007
Posts: 1637
Location: Calgary

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 10:56 pm

 

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That appears to be the key point, i.e. "acceptable proof", so if you can show that the Alberta test covered manual transmissions you should be able to get it without another test. I swapped my UK licence for a Class 5 Alberta licence, so I'd be surprised if there wasn't some way of convincing the DVLA.
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Steve.

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Tigerlea
Senior Member



Joined: 02 Jan 2008
Posts: 96
Location: Surrey, England

Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 8:30 am

 

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Oookie, sorry for the misunderstanding then.

Also, thanks for all your advice. I guess I should book my second test. >.> Time to be unlazy, I suppose.

I think that, when I move to the UK, my boyfriend will be letting me drive his car periodically so that I can drive a RHD stick (that's what he owns) since I can drive a manual on my Canadian license. Then when the year is up, just go for that test and get the standard license.

From what I've been reading, that's the best way to go about things.

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ashleym
New Member



Joined: 14 Feb 2008
Posts: 3
Location: Southampton, UK

Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 7:59 am

 

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Does anyone know what happens when you move back to Canada and what the process is for getting back your Canadian licence? I'm only over here in the UK for 3 more years and am just going to exchange my licence for a UK one but during that time my Canadian licence will expire. Do you just switch it back once you move back home (Ontario)?

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Steven
CanuckAbroad VIP



Joined: 28 Sep 2007
Posts: 1637
Location: Calgary

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 11:32 pm

 

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Yep. It's a simple swap, just as if you'd moved from one Province to another. For Ontario anyway.
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Steve.

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Steven
CanuckAbroad VIP



Joined: 28 Sep 2007
Posts: 1637
Location: Calgary

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 11:35 pm

 

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Well, unless you can show "acceptable proof", whatever that is. I do so love the DVLA and their crystal clear explanations. Just wait until you get an MoT inspection done on your car. I've always loved their definition of how orange your indicators have to be.
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Steve.

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