Yes, you can drive in Canada if you have an Indian license but there are some restrictions which vary the province or territory you are going to stay.
Here’s what you need to know about using your Indian driving license in Canada:
1. Temporary Driving with an Indian License
If you come to Canada as a visitor or a student, or temporary resident, you can legally drive using your Indian license for some time. It can take between 60-90 days depending on the province up to a maximum of 6 months. This period can be useful to allow people get accustomed to the conditions of driving in Canada and if they expect to be resident in the country for longer time, they can get the license of the country.
2. Requirements for Driving with an Indian License
International Driving Permit (IDP):
If your Indian license is not in English or in French language then you ought to secure an IDP or get your license translated. The IDP is an additional document to the Indian license and is effective only when used simultaneously with it. The IDP is particularly valuable in provinces where English or French is needed to obtain a license.
Insurance:
All residents of Canada are required to have a license to operate a car and, regardless of the type of license that you have, you need to have car insurance. Car rental companies do not necessarily provide insurance for the car they rented to you and so if you are a renter, you would have to be insured or else, you would have to secure a separate insurance policy. You are not allowed to drive without insurance and the prices depend on the province of residence, past violations and car type.
3. Change in License from US to Canadian License
If you plan to stay in Canada for longer or even permanently, then, it is advised that you switch to the Canadian driver’s license. Again, acceptance of foreign licenses varies from one province to the other but usually one undergoes a written test, practical and must produce a certificate in experience in driving. Some of the provinces allow you to skip some tests if you can produce a certified record of your driving experience from your home country.
In the province of Ontario and the other province of British Columbia, one can do up to 90 days’ operation of a motor vehicle using the Indian license and then require the Canadian license. The limit in Quebec is six months, for instance. Subsequently, one must follow the local license procedure which includes; knowledge test and road test depending on the province.
4. Car Rental and Age Restrictions
As for the Indian visitors and tourists, they have an opportunity to lease a car with their Indian license if it is valid and the client is at least 25 years old. The majority of car rental companies in Canada requires the renters to be at least 21 years of age and some companies may charge extra for young driver. Furthermore, it is suggested that you should be familiar with insurance policies of the rental company so that you can delete some additional fee.
5. Driving Laws and Safety
Laws that govern driving in Canada are strictly followed. The speedometer is mostly in kilometers per hour and should allow some time for a new driver to familiarize himself with the traffic signals and laws that may vary from a province to another. For instance, winter tires are required during some months of the year in some of the provinces and the penalties for traffic offenses are high. There could be cases where on the roads the are icy; there is snow, something that could be an issue to drivers from warmer climates.
6. Penalties and Accidents
In case of an accident, Canadian law demands that you stick around to exchange details with the other party. Unless you do so, it is a criminal offense, and you can be punished severely. The car insurance documents and other driving papers should also be easily accessible, as well as the driver should be prepared for the local emergency, for example, when dialing 911.
Conclusion
Yes, one can drive in Canada using an Indian license for some time, but it is compulsory to have proper knowledge of the laws concerning the province of Canada. To be able to stay longer, it is necessary to switch to a Canadian license. You should always carry with you an IDP if it is necessary and always obey the rules of insurance to avoid problems. This will enable you to drive in Canada without any hitch and with ease.
It is also useful to familiarize with the laws of the country one is in and study how, to adapt to the new conditions in an attempt to drive safely in Canada.
