Ontario's RIDICULOUS driver's license exchange program

c153
New Member



Joined: 02 Dec 2006
Posts: 5
Location: MUMBAI (bombay)

Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 11:12 am

 

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I am 37 and have an expired USA license (2 yrs expired, I was working in USA). Then I left for overseas and therefore didn't renew it cause of my own oversight. When I came back to Canada and applied for exchange of out-of-province license I am told that since my license is expired for 2 years I have to do ALL the tests and wait 1 more year for road test like a 16 year old, before I have full previleges!!

Now I DO have the option of going back to Florida (God bless them) and renew my license (since they require me to be there personally as my license is expired over 2 yrs and the only restriction is I can not renew it online!!). NOW THE DILLEMA LIES IN THAT I must provide a florida address. So now I must rent a place or find some address for about a month (WHICH TRANSLATES INTO MORE MONEY SPENT). When I get the temporary permit and then the final license, I can now exchange it for an Ontario license, FINALLY.

My dear Ontario Transportation Minister and colleagues - DO U SEE HOW RIDICULOUS THIS IS???? I'm 37, have been licensed and I am made to go through this procedure like a teen?! Now I have to buy a $550 air fare and renew my florida license in person then fly back to Ontario and exchange it for Ontario license. WOULD U CARE TO REVIEW AND AMMEND YOUR LAWS for the benefit of us Ontarians??!!!!

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Jausman
CanuckAbroad Regular



Joined: 07 Jun 2008
Posts: 50
Location: Ottawa

Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 11:45 am

 

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Frustrating. Will they not do an exchange for an Indian drivers licence? John

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c153
New Member



Joined: 02 Dec 2006
Posts: 5
Location: MUMBAI (bombay)

Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 12:08 pm

 

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how IN lORD'S NAME can I be considered a NEW DRIVER when I am 37 and driving since I was 16? Ontario law requires me to wait 2 whole years to get full driving privileges! I wonder, does the Govt. of Canada train its workers to create as much as possible obstacles for its citizens?

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Canucky Woman
Junior Member



Joined: 19 Jul 2008
Posts: 25
Location: Halfweg Netherlands

Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 10:46 pm

 

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No, this is the definition of ridiculous:

If a Canadian moves to the Netherlands with a work permit, s/he can exchange their licence. If they move there for any other reason, they have to do all the tests, the driving lessons (a friend isn't allowed to take you driving and the school determines the number of lessons at €40/hour; they make a mint off non-EU expats!) the final examination (which few people pass the first time, even experienced drivers).

Unless you are from Quebec; they made "special" arrangements with the Dutch government. They can all exchange their licences regardless of the reason they moved to Holland.

I'm in my mid-40s and just can't be arsed to enter into this money-making scam.Luckily the public transit system is better than back home.and most employers will fully refund your costs travelling to and from work.

.and when I move to the UK, I can exchange my licence no problemo -- even though they drive on the other side of the road!

Part of me says you should give yourself a kick though for your oversight.I've learnt to research everything prior to moving now (thank gawd for the internet).and then REresearch, because countries change their laws more often than their underwear.*rolls eyes*
_________________
Necessity is the mother of reinvention.

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Jausman
CanuckAbroad Regular



Joined: 07 Jun 2008
Posts: 50
Location: Ottawa

Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 4:59 am

 

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Sometimes it helps to get an international drivers licence (based of course on a still valid licence somewhere). You can drive on that for a year but I think they then expire. Meanwhile it gives you time to find another solution.

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Steven
CanuckAbroad VIP



Joined: 28 Sep 2007
Posts: 1592
Location: Calgary

Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 3:40 pm

 

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Bear in mind you are lucky that it is a Florida licence that you have; if it was almost any other State (with the possible exception of Texas and New Mexico) you would be SOL as you would not be qualified to renew it. Florida will grant a one-year DL to Canadian citizens, but nearly all other jurisdictions in the US require you to have an I-94 which is clearly valid for over six months.

Florida actually bothered to read the law rather than the rather crap DHS guidance and wrote their law to take into account that you are not required to get an I-94 if you are granted or renew TN-1 status.

Only New Mexico used the "alternate" provisions in the Real ID Act which allow them to issue DLs which are purely that and are not considered ID under federal law.

The other problem with Canadian and US DLs is that because the issuing jurisdiction is the State or Province then that specific State or Province has to enter into an agreement with the other country to recognize their licenses.

So you end up with these weird variations because one Province has a slightly different arrangement than another, hence the problem in the Netherlands.

I got an international DL at one point but I found it wasn't a great help as insurance companies don't recognise them. At least none that I could find.
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Steve.

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Canucky Woman
Junior Member



Joined: 19 Jul 2008
Posts: 25
Location: Halfweg Netherlands

Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 10:25 pm

 

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I made sure I had an international driver's licence from CAA before I moved to Holland, but from what I remember, it was only good for six months.

Apparently the reason behind the wonky laws is that those with work permits are considered "visitors" to the Netherlands and only here temporarily. Those moving here for partners are assumed to be here forever and therefore require assimilation, which includes their "foreign" driving habits I guess, lol.

The special agreement with Quebec, however, kills credibility that theory has though, in my opinion.
_________________
Necessity is the mother of reinvention.

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c153
New Member



Joined: 02 Dec 2006
Posts: 5
Location: MUMBAI (bombay)

Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 6:05 pm

 

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These lawmakers don't have sense????????????? People with 10 and 20 years driving experience who unfortunately went overseas n came bak with expired license are basically screwed(some places don't even have a license system n in asia or S. America u just drive n bribe police all the time!!). Bak in the old days US, Canada did not allow exchange or credits to many foreign driver license holders.

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