Anyone who wants to drive or rent a vehicle requires a valid driver’s license. A Canadian driver’s license is issued by provincial and territorial governments in Canada. You must carry it with you while driving anywhere in the country. If you have a valid international driver’s license from your country of origin, you can use it for a short time as you apply for a Canadian one.
Foreigners planning to drive while in Canada need to acquire an International Driving Permit in their country of origin. IDP is usually acknowledged in over one hundred countries worldwide. Failure to obtain one may lead you to get heavy penalties or fines. The IDP will enable your license to be translated into many languages, including English and French. Below we explore if you need an International Driving Permit to drive in Toronto, Ontario.
What is an International Driving Permit?
International Driving Permit, IDP, is the translation of a country or home driving licence to allow international drivers to drive in a foreign land or country without needing to obtain a new driving license. In addition, you will not be required to undergo any driving practice or lessons since an IDP is already proof you have a valid or legal license issued by an appropriate authority in your home country. Countries under the signed treaty of the 1949 convention permit the use of IDP in their territory.
The IDP usually has an A6 size which is a bit bigger than a regular passport, and a grey cover with snow-white pages. The interior and exterior of the IDP front cover should be printed in one of the languages of the issuing country. Then the last two pages are usually imprinted in French, while the pages that come before the two must be in various languages that should be in Spanish, English, and Russian.
How long are International Driving Permits valid in Canada?
In most countries, an International Driving Permit is valid for one year. However, it would help if you were cautious while getting an IDP to drive in Canada as fraudsters are preying on unsuspecting applicants by selling fake documents. For instance, in Canada, the only permitted organization that can provide IDP is the Canada Automobile Association. The application charges are around 15 Canadian dollars. However, you need to apply for IDP in your country since the ones available in Canada are not permitted to be used in Canada (they are meant to be used by Canadian drivers who want to drive internationally).
In Ontario, IDP is only permitted for use by visitors. However, if you plan to become a permanent resident, you must obtain a Canadian driver’s license sixty days after moving to Ontario. Below are some requirements for driving for less or more than three months in Canada.
Driving and Touring for Less than three months
If you are touring Ontario and wish to drive, you are permitted to do so for about three months with a territorial driver’s licence, valid in your country. In addition, you will also be required to be aged sixteen years old and above, have a good insurance cover for the vehicle you will be driving, and an original copy of the car’s right of possession permit.
Driving and Touring for more than three months
If you are planning to drive for more than three months while visiting Ontario, you must obtain an international driving permit from your country. However, you may be allowed to get a Canadian driver’s license when you are a short-term resident, for instance, a foreign worker or student.
How to get an International driving permit in Canada?
Usually, you can obtain an IDP from your home birth country, while residents of Canada can obtain one by making an application via the Canadian Automobile Association. The requirements for one to get a CAA membership include:
- A valid driver’s licence
- Individuals should be aged at least eighteen.
- Copy of the Canadian provincial driving license
- Complete IDP application document
- Two passport photographs
- Fee for Application
Advantages of having an International Driving Permit to drive in Canada
Having an IDP while driving in Canada can be beneficial to you in many ways that include:
Lowers or eliminates incidences of getting fined
If you are not a resident, you must have an international driving license if you are in Canada for more than three months. If you are found without it while driving, the police are permitted by Canadian law to charge you, and you will end up paying hefty fines.
IDP helps you to break the language barrier with the local police
IDP will aid in translation in countries where their official language is not English. Often an international driving license allows your details to be presented in more than ten languages, including English, German, French, Italian and Chinese. Hence interactions with the local police will flow smoothly due to the translation in your IDP.
IDP is a requirement by many car rental agencies
Do you have a plan to drive while visiting Canada? If you do, you should be aware that international driving permits are one of the requirements many car rental companies require for foreign citizens. When you possess one, you can more easily rent a car in Ontario.
It provides you peace of mind
Having a valid international driving permit while driving in a different country such as Canada will give you peace of mind since you will be confident having abided by all the rules and will not be nervous about the local authorities.
Looking for a good and economical Car Rental in Toronto, Ontario? Contact us today
If you are traveling to Canada and require renting a vehicle, obtaining an International Driving Permit on time before leaving your country will provide you peace of mind while driving in Ontario. IDP is usually one of the requirements needed by car renters and a legal document required by local authorities.
At City Car& Truck Rentals, we provide various car brands to meet your mobility needs, whether you are on business or on pleasure. We pride ourselves on providing the best customer experience to our clients. Everything we do is to help create excellent service that excites and moves you. Call us at 416-800-1222 today and get the best-guaranteed rate.