Canada has at all times been one of many hottest emigration locations for Hongkongers. Amongst Canadian cities, Vancouver and Toronto are particularly widespread. The Canadian authorities has just lately pushed out a scheme titled ‘Hong Kong Pathways’, which permits those that have accomplished a post-secondary diploma previously 5 years to use for a 3-year lengthy work visa. Having stated that, it is a huge world on the market in comparison with Hong Kong, and roads are typically much more unfold out. Dwelling and not using a automobile is akin to being a chook with out wings. When you’re serious about emigrating, it is best to get to know how you can alternate or receive your driver’s license.
On this INO sequence, we’ll undergo 4 widespread emigration locations amongst Hongkongers. This consists of the UK, Canada, Australia, and Taiwan. Learn on for solutions to often requested questions like how you can alternate your driver’s license, how you can get one, how you can safe automobile insurance coverage, and how you can switch your No Claims Low cost/No Claims Bonus (NCD/NCB).
Exchanging your driving license
In the intervening time, there is not any strategy to immediately alternate your Hong Kong driver’s license for a Canadian one. Planning to work, examine, and/or begin a brand new chapter in Canada? Your Hong Kong license is simply legitimate for driving in Canada for 60 days, even should you’ve utilized for a world license, which extends this era.
Take word that you could’t buy automobile insurance coverage right here with a world license. That is why we suggest getting a Canadian driving license as quickly as you possibly can. Although your Hong Kong license can’t be exchanged, with one in hand, you possibly can simplify the driving examination course of/means of acquiring a driver’s license. Let’s have a look intimately.
Getting a Canadian driving license
Getting a neighborhood license requires a number of phases. There are additionally variations in procedures between provinces. Thus, it is best to get to know the necessities of the province you may be residing in.
Let’s take Ontario for instance, here is how the method works there:
G1 written take a look at
So long as you are 16 years previous (together with work allow/examine allow holders) and have handed the imaginative and prescient and written take a look at, you possibly can receive the G1 automobile license. After which, you might apply driving accompanied by a driver with at the least 4 years’ price of driving expertise at a delegated time. In fact, you are additionally free to take classes from a driving teacher.
G1 license restrictions: this license is extremely strict as proven under:
- License holders should all be accompanied by a driver in possession of a G license with at the least 4 years of driving expertise.
- When driving, their blood alcohol stage have to be zero.
- There isn’t any driving from 12 am to five am.
- Additionally, most highways are off limits.
G1 street take a look at
After receiving your G1 license for at the least 12 months, now you can take the street take a look at. It covers primary driving expertise, reminiscent of turning left and proper, stopping, and parking. When you move you get your G2 license.
G2 license restrictions: the motive force has to take care of a zero blood alcohol stage. Having stated that, this rule primarily targets younger drivers at or under 19 years of age. As such, they can not drive between midnight and 5 am, and just one passenger under the age of 19 is allowed on their automobiles. Six months later, a most of three passengers are allowed. If they’ve an accompanying individual with a G license and at least 4 years of driving expertise, this restriction won’t apply to them.
G2 street take a look at
You possibly can take the freeway street take a look at inside one yr of getting your G2 license. Apart from what’s included within the G1 street take a look at, this examination covers extra superior driving expertise, reminiscent of driving on a freeway and parallel parking. Examinees should keep the fitting pace and distance on the street.
When you move, you get a full G license. Remember the fact that take a look at takers must get a G license inside 1 yr of receiving your G1 license. When you’ve missed this deadline, you may must undergo the complete take a look at course of once more.
The benefit of Hong Kong drivers getting a driver’s license in Canada
Most aspiring drivers in Canada must undergo the next course of:
- Take the written take a look at (move and obtain the G1 license).
- Anticipate one yr.
- Take the G1 street take a look at (move and obtain the G2 license).
- Anticipate yet another yr.
- Take the G2 street take a look at.
- Obtain a full G license.
Do you’ve gotten a Hong Kong license and two or extra years of driving expertise? As quickly as you’ve got handed the written take a look at, you possibly can skip the ready interval in addition to the G1 street take a look at. You possibly can immediately problem the G2 freeway street take a look at and seize the complete G license.
This is the shortened process to getting your driver’s license:
- Take the written take a look at.
- Take the G2 street take a look at.
- Obtain a full G license.
When you’ve got a Hong Kong driver’s license however haven’t got two years of driving expertise, after passing the written take a look at, you possibly can nonetheless skip the 1-year ready interval and proceed to take the G1 street take a look at.
- Take the written take a look at (move and obtain the G1 license).
- Take the G1 street take a look at (move and obtain the G2 license).
- Anticipate one yr.
- Take the G2 street take a look at.
- Obtain a full G license.
To acquire a Canadian driver’s license along with your Hong Kong license, you must safe a “Certificates of Driving License Particulars” issued by the Transport Division of Hong Kong. (This supplies proof that you simply acquired your license in Hong Kong, in addition to how lengthy you’ve got had your license for. Naturally, it is best to use earlier than you migrate. Fill within the TD320 type and apply by mail together with a duplicate of your license and a HKD $160 cheque. This could take about 10 days.)
Shopping for automobile insurance coverage in Canada
To have the ability to drive in Canada, you may must buy automobile insurance coverage. When you personal a car, you must safe insurance coverage for it. Nonetheless, should you usually drive your buddy’s automobile, be certain their automobile insurance coverage coverage consists of your identify.
As with automobile insurance coverage in another nations, premiums in Canada will depend upon a number of things. These embody the motive force’s age, their driving document, place of residence, driving expertise, and extra.
Be aware that in Canada, automobile insurance coverage premiums are on the costly facet. Even driver with an identical driving document spends on common CAD $2,000 per yr on premiums. That stated, should you belong to a specific firm or group, for instance, an accountant affiliation or the alumni affiliation of sure universities, Canadian insurers may provide you with a 20-30% low cost. What’s extra, should you resolve to buy insurance policies (e.g. residence insurance coverage on high of automobile insurance coverage) from the identical insurer, they is perhaps keen to offer you a reduction as effectively.
Transferring your Hong Kong NCD/NCB to Canada
Sadly, insurance coverage firms right here usually do not think about your earlier NCD/NCB. That is why you may must recalculate your no declare reductions from scratch.
Contact INO for extra insurance coverage options
Are you interested by different sorts of insurance coverage (e.g. medical insurance, private accident insurance coverage, life insurance coverage) for emigration moreover automobile insurance coverage? Check out our article: “Is my insurance coverage nonetheless legitimate after migrating to a different nation?”.
INO is a automobile insurance coverage brokerage with over 20 years of expertise within the business. Aside from automobile insurance coverage (third occasion and complete), we additionally present residence insurance coverage, bike insurance coverage, Voluntary Well being Insurance coverage Scheme (VHIS), Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (HZMB) insurance coverage, and plenty of extra. Get a free quote now with our on-line comparability software! For customized recommendation and a free plan comparability, contact our crew of skilled insurance coverage advisors as we speak!
