Driving a Car…

To drive a car, motorcycle, or scooter in Ontario you must have a valid driver's licence.  You may want to rent, purchase, lease, or car-share a vehicle. 

Driver’s Licence 

To drive in Ontario you must have a valid driver's licence and carry it with you when you drive.  The Newcomers Guide to Graduated Licensing and Getting an Ontario Driver's Licence will tell you how to get a driver's licence. 

Depending on which country you are from, you may qualify for “Canadian driving experience”, which means you may get your licence sooner.
  
You may be able to use your foreign driver’s licence for a short time when you first get to Canada.  For more information, go to Settlement.Org.

Vehicle Insurance & Registration

You must have automobile insurance to drive in Ontario.  If you buy or lease a vehicle you must register it. You must carry your registration and insurance card with you. 

If you buy a used vehicle it may need to pass a Drive Clean vehicle inspection before you can register it. 

• Find out How Automobile Insurance Works 
• What do I need to know about vehicle licensing?
• Vehicle Licensing

Renting a Vehicle

There are many car rental agencies in the Waterloo Region.  Look in the yellow pages or Ontario Travel for rental car agencies in Ontario.

Rental charges, policies, and rules differ from company to company.  Most agencies charge you for the number of days you have the car and the number of kilometres you travel.  There may be age, and driver’s licence requirements.  Carefully read the contract before signing.  

Car-Sharing

Car-sharing allows you to use a car without owning it. Car-sharing members book a time to use a vehicle and pay by the hour and kilometre. Learn more at Grand River Carshare. 

Owning or Leasing a Car

There is a lot to think about when buying or leasing a vehicle.  For more information: 

• What should I think about when buying a car? at Settlement.Org
• First New Car.com by GM Canada.
• Consumer Reports
• CarTest! Car Reviews to help you decide what car to buy. 
• Canadian driver offers a New Car Buyer's Guide.
• Buying a Car - What Can I Afford? by the Royal Bank helps you decide what car you can afford.  The Canadian Automobile Association 2008 Driving Costs explains the costs of owning and looking after a car. 
• Buying a Used Car offers advice on buying a used car. Buying and Selling a Used Vehicle in Ontario includes information on the Ontario Government's Used Vehicle Information Package.

Leasing is a way of getting a vehicle for a set amount of time, rather than buying it.  Turning The Lights On Leasing: Consumer Guide To Vehicle Leasing by the Canadian Finance and Leasing Association has advice on leasing.  If you want to lease a car you can also do this with the Grand River Carshare.  

Car Repairs

The Guide to Car Repairs has information about getting your car repaired and a list of agencies that can help when you have a problem.  These sites are helpful:

• Consumers’ Association of Canada has tips on how to give a complaint well.
• Lemon-Aid Car Guide for advice when you have a problem while purchasing or repairing a car.
• Better Business Bureau (BBB) can help you find businesses you can trust, and help you solve problems. 

For more information…

• Settlement.Org has information about buying and leasing a car, insurance, driver's licensing, and getting around Ontario.
• Drive Test has information on driving in Ontario.
• The Official Road Map of Ontario
• Getting around by motor vehicle - Driving tips and info

You may also be interested in Transportation Rights and Responsibilities.