Life in Canada - Driving

In most countries you can get your drivers’ license once you’re 18, and once you get it, you’re good to go. Not here, in Canada things have to always be just a bit more complicated. Just to show you how annoying a “modern” country can be…

You can get your license at 16. This license however isn’t a full license, it’s called the G1, and you can drive a car only if accompanied with a ‘G’ license holder, more about the ‘G’ later. The experienced driver MUST sit in the front seat with you, and you are not allowed to drive on any 100 series highways (100 km/h speed limit).

You have to wait one year before you can get your G2, which allows you to drive alone but with little restrictions. BUT, if you go to drivers’ school, you can get your G2 8 moths after getting the G1.

Once you have your G2, you can drive alone BUT with the following restrictions. Everyone sitting in the back, under 16, must wear a seatbelt. You cannot have alcohol in your blood. And if you’re under 18, you must have an adult with you in the car; this rule was introduced a few months ago.

Your G2 expires 5 years after you get it, so anytime within the five years but not before the first year, you have to go for the G test. The G takes all the restrictions off from the G2, but of course the alcohol level in the blood must be below 0.08%.

When you get old, you have to do a re-test every year or so, to make sure you can drive safely.

Of course NO ONE can drive a car in Canada without car insurance. Which is, by the way, the biggest hurdle for young drivers for owning their own cars. The insurance rate is based on the car you have, and more importantly your age. Females pay less than males; owners of red and two door cars pay more, and cars that tend to be in lots of accidents (ex. Honda Civic) are more expensive to insure. Once you turn 25, the insurance drops significantly.

If you ever get into an accident, your insurance increases for a 6 year period. Insurance also increase when you get any ticket, whether it’s speeding or running a red light.

When driving any car, you should have your license, insurance card, and car ownership papers with you. Otherwise you’ll be fined $150.

There are many more complications and little things to know here and there, but I just wanted to skim the surface for you. I guess the point of this post, is to show all the extra precautions, and procedures, that everyone must know. If driving takes so much, can you imagine buying a house?!?!
If I get some positive feedback from this post, I’ll continue with a few more with the same flavour.. so comment away

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