stupid Canadian licensing!!

[JollyRoger]

So as some of you know I have recently moved over the pond to Ottawa, and trying to figure out what the hell I need to do to get back on 2 wheels, or more importantly for this country, get my driving license. So the run down is this: I've had my provisional driving license since the start of 2008, got my CBT in November 2008, and passed my full DAS in Summer 2010. So, 3 years biking experience, and I never passed my driving test (didn't try to).

So... I go into the driving centre in Ottawa to be told that I can skip half of their graduated licencing scheme for driving, but the fooking FULL motorcycle licence is non-transferable!!!! Are you bloody kidding me? The silly woman also said that the motorcycle experience counts as road experience to help with the driving, but WTF people!

I don't want to have to wait ages and fork out a load of money again to get my bike licensee, nor do I buy that this woman knew what she was talking about based on the fact that she had to ask like 4 different people. If anyone knows the facts about this, I'd appreciate some help, thanks!


For those who cba to read it all

can a full UK motorcycle be transferred to a full Canadian (Ontario) license?

please and thanks

 

[Bloke]

If it's anything like the uk you'll be fine riding/driving for 1 year, but must get a full licence within that time.

No licence is transferable in the uk, people still have to sit the full set of tests, including theory. So wouldn't surprise me if that was the case in canada as well.

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[JollyRoger]

finally spoke to someone and they confirmed that you can't switch the bike license, which as he agreed, was retarded.

sooo on to the next goddamn test series.

 

[AZZ3R]

finally spoke to someone and they confirmed that you can't switch the bike license, which as he agreed, was retarded.

sooo on to the next goddamn test series.

It's a shame it can't be switched over. My auntie in Fullerton took her test on a Figure of 8 and went around the block twice and passed so if it's anything like hers was I'm sure it'll be a breez.

Do you have to be a citizen to take the test ?

 

[ParisianZee]

Hey

The only transfers that workd seemlessly up until the creation of the unified European driving license existed between EU countries. Now, gladly, we all have a European license, meaning that you can have a License obtained in the UK and freely drive with no limitation in time in any EU country.

You'll seldom find any country which accepts license transfers without having to re-sit at least some part of the tests and to re-take some or all of the exams.

Part of the reasoning for that is that the rules in a certain country can differ from another and while you know the basics of driving / riding, you don't necessarily know the proper rules for the country. Hence the limitation in time : you can drive/ride during your vacations or during an internship but if you have to live there than you have to learn everything there is to know about driving / riding there.

The other part of the reasoning is that to obtain a license in most countries you need to pay certain fees that end up directly in the government's pocket and for some governments, it's a sizeable source of revenue.

I know this doesn't help you in your problem but at least you have an idea of why they ask you to do this and that. Even if it doesn't make too much sense.

Good luck with all the bureaucracy!

 

[OoxTruExoO]

If it's anything like the uk you'll be fine riding/driving for 1 year, but must get a full licence within that time.

No licence is transferable in the uk, people still have to sit the full set of tests, including theory. So wouldn't surprise me if that was the case in canada as well.

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Licences are transferable in the UK provided they are issued within the EU. I never sat a re-test after moving from Ireland. But my step-mother, who is American, has to sit a re-test in Ireland in order to be able to drive there. I can understand it, seeing as how there are different road signs and rules regarding rights of way as they drive on the wrong side of the road. But it should only be a formality kind of driving test in my opinion, not the theory part though.

 

[JollyRoger]

yeah what I object to is the fact that they are more than willing to fast-track me through the driving license when I can't drive/nor do I have any in-car road experience, but are making you re-take the entirety of the motorcycle license again.

It is a money grabbing scheme as bikers over here bend over and take it - however I must say sadly the North American stereotype of squids lives up to it's name over here, so many stupid bikers + retarded cagers. Standard of driving and biking is very low here from what I have seen.

 

[Bloke]

I was in ottawa in feb, the driving is insane. Snow and ice on the roads, it could be a freaking snow storm and everyone tailgates! Everyone speeds too, the taxi ride from the airport was death defying... I was bricking it all the way.

I figure they tailgate so when they can't slow down in time for their junction due to ice they can use the car in front as an extra brake.

Even as a pedestrian it's lethal, some guys turn right on reds, others sort of just wait in the middle of an intersection for you to cross. lovely people there, awesome place but i'd never leave my house if I lived there. I think I understand why everyone commutes via the canal in the winter surprised drivers haven't found their way onto that!

You've got balls to be getting your bike on the road mate, big massive ones.

Didn't know about the EU thing, thought the 1 year thing applied to them too, my bad.


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[jimwitt21]

Seems like every time you go to a different country there's problems - I work for impact driving (www.impactdriving.co.uk) and do a lot of 'conversion' from foreign licences to UK ones. Best of luck getting it sorted dude!!