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Canada
Transportation
Getting
a driver's licence
You
need a valid driver's licence to drive a car in Canada, and these
are issued by the province or territory where you live. Your foreign
driver's licence may be valid for a short time after you arrive in
Canada, but eventually you will need to take a Canadian driving test
to remain licensed. This will help you to learn about the rules of
the road in Canada. You may also want to obtain an International
Driving Permit. Find out more from your provincial ministry of
transportation or from your provincial motor vehicle licensing
agency.
Driving
lessons are available from private companies, for a fee. You may
want to have a few lessons before you take your test. Look in the
yellow pages under "Driving Instruction."
Remember:
It is a legal requirement to carry your driver's licence with you
whenever you drive. You should also carry your car registration and
vehicle permit with you. It is good advice to carry a copy of your
car insurance certificate.
Buying
a car
Cars
can cost a lot of money, whether they are used or new. Make sure you
can afford the upkeep, the gas, the monthly payments and the costs
of registering and insuring it. Some Canadians opt to lease cars.
Leasing can be handy, but there are a number of hidden costs
involved, such as administrative fees or handling taxes. Whichever
option you choose, make sure you understand exactly what your
financial obligations are.
Car
insurance is another major expense. All cars must be registered with
the provincial motor vehicle licensing agency where you live, and
must be insured. This is the law. Car insurance can be expensive,
but it protects you and other drivers in case of an accident. You
buy insurance through private insurance companies, listed in the
yellow pages under "Insurance". Some provinces also sell
insurance through provincial corporations. Shop around for the best
rates. An accident-free record will help you get a better insurance
rate. In most provinces, you can obtain more information by calling
the Insurance Bureau of Canada or visiting their website at www.ibc.ca
Use
of seat belts
You
and your passengers must wear seat belts at all times when you are
driving in Canada. This is the law. The use of a seat belt can save
your life in an accident, and you can be fined for not wearing one.
Car
seats for children
Babies
and children who are too small to wear seat belts safely must be
placed in car seats whenever you drive. These can also help to save
lives in case of an accident. There are different types of car seats
for different ages and weights. For example, infants must be placed
in special seats that face the back of the car. Children over
18 kg need a booster seat.
In
case of an accident
Call
911 or your local emergency number right away if you need medical
help. Stay where you are, and get someone to call the police. You
should also report the accident immediately to your car insurance
company. It is also important to exchange your name, address, and
telephone number, as well as your insurance and driver's licence
numbers with the other driver. Never leave the scene of an accident,
especially if you have hit someone. This is a serious offence known
as "hit-and-run."
To
find out more...
Contact
the public transit organizations, provincial ministries of
transportation, provincial motor vehicle licensing offices or
insurance associations listed in the telephone book.
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