purchasing new vehicle with international driver's license (permit) in Ontario

Jul 18th, 2021 8:14 am

#1

redbridge [OP]: Member; Mar 26, 2006; 297 posts; 211 upvotes; Ottawa

Jul 18th, 2021 8:14 am

purchasing new vehicle with international driver's license (permit) in Ontario

I have a friend who just became a resident in Ontario (from Hong Kong), specifically Ottawa. He obtained the experience letter so he can go for the G test right away (but no exchange agreement). The earliest date for testing is in December. He has the international driver licence along with his license of Hong Kong. Can he purchase a (new) car?

(1) Auto-insurance: Is there any place that will accept IDP + license from Hong Kong before he gets his G licence possibly in December? I called Belair direct and they said no....

(2) Registration: according to the website, they can only register a vehicle if the owner has a full G licence.... In that case, he won't be able to purchase one before December?

(3) Car dealership: The sales person said only one company in Ontario can do the (1) above but the cost is $5,000 and it has to be for the one whole year... Does it sound fishy?

Thanks.

Jul 18th, 2021 8:42 am

#2

booblehead: Deal Expert; Jul 30, 2007; 32754 posts; 20347 upvotes; Toronto

Jul 18th, 2021 8:42 am

He needs a valid Ontario driver license to begin with (to even buy/finance/lease) . If he has nothing, he can’t even apply for insurance …. As far as I believe.

+1

Jul 18th, 2021 12:31 pm

#3

peteryorkuca: Deal Fanatic; Jul 26, 2007; 7144 posts; 4799 upvotes; Toronto

Jul 18th, 2021 12:31 pm

booblehead wrote: ↑ He needs a valid Ontario driver license to begin with (to even buy/finance/lease) . If he has nothing, he can’t even apply for insurance …. As far as I believe.

I think he can still buy one just can't insure his car until he have G2/G.

Jul 18th, 2021 12:40 pm

#4

kr0zet: Deal Fanatic; Jan 16, 2011; 7205 posts; 9230 upvotes; The NORTH

Jul 18th, 2021 12:40 pm

peteryorkuca wrote: ↑ I think he can still buy one just can't insure his car until he have G2/G.

I believe you're right. Nothing stopping someone without a license from purchasing a car, they just can't get insurance or plates without a license.

Jul 18th, 2021 12:56 pm

#5

booblehead: Deal Expert; Jul 30, 2007; 32754 posts; 20347 upvotes; Toronto

Jul 18th, 2021 12:56 pm

Dealer will release a new car purchased without insurance ?

Jul 18th, 2021 1:15 pm

#6

kr0zet: Deal Fanatic; Jan 16, 2011; 7205 posts; 9230 upvotes; The NORTH

Jul 18th, 2021 1:15 pm

booblehead wrote: ↑ Dealer will release a new car purchased without insurance ?

Why would it matter to the dealership unless the car is financed? OP could have their new purchase towed home.

+1

Jul 18th, 2021 2:00 pm

#7

CensoredByRFD: Deal Addict; Nov 17, 2004; 3224 posts; 1589 upvotes

Jul 18th, 2021 2:00 pm

kr0zet wrote: ↑ Why would it matter to the dealership unless the car is financed? OP could have their new purchase towed home.

Track car!

+1

Jul 18th, 2021 2:02 pm

#8

redbridge [OP]: Member; Mar 26, 2006; 297 posts; 211 upvotes; Ottawa

Jul 18th, 2021 2:02 pm

Any alternative in the mean time???..... car rental with the IDP until he obtains the G licence?

Jul 18th, 2021 2:02 pm

#9

booblehead: Deal Expert; Jul 30, 2007; 32754 posts; 20347 upvotes; Toronto

Jul 18th, 2021 2:02 pm

kr0zet wrote: ↑ Why would it matter to the dealership unless the car is financed? OP could have their new purchase towed home.

So, if that’s the case, what happens if the tow truck got into an accident and the new car is damaged or destroyed? That certainly is a risky move if I may say.

I can see it’s possible for buying used and owner cannot register the car until valid insurance is in place.

Jul 18th, 2021 2:06 pm

#10

kr0zet: Deal Fanatic; Jan 16, 2011; 7205 posts; 9230 upvotes; The NORTH

Jul 18th, 2021 2:06 pm

booblehead wrote: ↑ So, if that’s the case, what happens if the tow truck got into an accident and the new car is damaged or destroyed?

If the tow truck was at fault? Then the tow truck's insurance would cover it. If it was another car that was at fault? No idea. Again, neither of those potential outcomes makes a difference to the dealer if the vehicle is paid for.

+1

Jul 18th, 2021 2:10 pm

#11

booblehead: Deal Expert; Jul 30, 2007; 32754 posts; 20347 upvotes; Toronto

Jul 18th, 2021 2:10 pm

In Ontario, everyone makes a claim (fault or not at fault) and deal with their own insurance company at first.

If dealer wants to go release a new car purchased with cash but no insurance, the new owner should consider this potential scenario.

Jul 18th, 2021 5:00 pm

#12

CanadianSpruce: Deal Addict; Feb 17, 2017; 1383 posts; 1194 upvotes

Jul 18th, 2021 5:00 pm

You can 100% buy insurance with an international drivers licence, although most will start asking questions on renewal if you still have an international licence.

Jul 18th, 2021 5:13 pm

#13

booblehead: Deal Expert; Jul 30, 2007; 32754 posts; 20347 upvotes; Toronto

Jul 18th, 2021 5:13 pm

If so, then op’s friend should just keep calling up on different insurers until one says it can be bought.

Jul 18th, 2021 7:10 pm

#14

kr0zet: Deal Fanatic; Jan 16, 2011; 7205 posts; 9230 upvotes; The NORTH

Jul 18th, 2021 7:10 pm

MyChoice.ca

Getting car insurance for non-Canadians is easier if you try getting it from an insurer that specializes in this type of insurance. An insurer that doesn’t might reject your application or charge you high rates for the service. You can apply for the car insurance with a Canadian driver’s license or an international driver’s permit.

Most visitors get short-term Canadian car insurance, which is valid for up to six months. But if you intend on staying and driving in Canada for longer than six months, a one-year policy makes a better option.

Jul 18th, 2021 7:10 pm

#15

Canuck2fan: Deal Addict; Nov 12, 2004; 2642 posts; 1421 upvotes; Hometown

Jul 18th, 2021 7:10 pm

kr0zet wrote: ↑ If the tow truck was at fault? Then the tow truck's insurance would cover it. If it was another car that was at fault? No idea. Again, neither of those potential outcomes makes a difference to the dealer if the vehicle is paid for.

Exactly.

Except it would make a HUGE difference to the dealer on a fully paid for car, if they did NOT MAXIMIZE ripping off the buyer in the finance office until the buyer was financially hemorrhaging from every orifice. If they did GREAT, then the only other concern would be if the tow truck DID NOT crash and absolutely total the car insured or uninsured... You know so they sell another one to the guy right away!!! Times are tough in the car business gotta maximize every opportunity. LOL.

+1

Jul 18th, 2021 7:15 pm

#16

booblehead: Deal Expert; Jul 30, 2007; 32754 posts; 20347 upvotes; Toronto

Jul 18th, 2021 7:15 pm

kr0zet wrote: ↑ MyChoice.ca

Do remember, op’s friend is a Cdn resident..he is not a visitor … if that makes any material difference.

+1

Jul 18th, 2021 11:28 pm

#17

CanadianSpruce: Deal Addict; Feb 17, 2017; 1383 posts; 1194 upvotes

Jul 18th, 2021 11:28 pm

booblehead wrote: ↑ Do remember, op’s friend is a Cdn resident..he is not a visitor … if that makes any material difference.

It won’t be a problem. The driver will just be rated as a brand new driver (essentially licensed the day of the policy effective date). Basically anyone will insure them.

Jul 18th, 2021 11:54 pm

#18

redbridge [OP]: Member; Mar 26, 2006; 297 posts; 211 upvotes; Ottawa

Jul 18th, 2021 11:54 pm

CanadianSpruce wrote: ↑ It won’t be a problem. The driver will just be rated as a brand new driver (essentially licensed the day of the policy effective date). Basically anyone will insure them.

It is not my understanding at this moment in terms of the auto insurance. Even with the insurance, the registration of the Ontario licence (plate) seems to only for driver with a valid Ontario driver licence and from what I read only G2 and G are considered valid (?). G1 and International driver's licence (permit) are not..... that can be a headache for this young family for the next 5 months before he can finally go for the G test. Does the MTO test website show last-minute testing availability if someone cancelled????

Jul 19th, 2021 12:06 am

#19

CanadianSpruce: Deal Addict; Feb 17, 2017; 1383 posts; 1194 upvotes

Jul 19th, 2021 12:06 am

redbridge wrote: ↑ It is not my understanding at this moment in terms of the auto insurance. Even with the insurance, the registration of the Ontario licence (plate) seems to only for driver with a valid Ontario driver licence and from what I read only G2 and G are considered valid (?). G1 and International driver's licence (permit) are not..... that can be a headache for this young family for the next 5 months before he can finally go for the G test. Does the MTO test website show last-minute testing availability if someone cancelled????

Hmm…I’m honestly not sure. I used to be a personal lines underwriter (primarily for AB but also covered Ontario when they were busy) and we’d have international licence holders all the time, so there must be some kind of way they were registering their cars.

Jul 19th, 2021 12:08 am

#20

CuriousJack: Deal Addict; Feb 17, 2015; 1159 posts; 1581 upvotes; 90.00° N, 135.00° W

Jul 19th, 2021 12:08 am

@COSMIC5 we need your help!

+1