If you’ve recently moved or are planning to move to Ontario then you’re going to need to secure some transportation. Maybe you’re happy to rely on public transport but most of us would prefer a car. This article is here to help. We’ll walk you through the process step by step so that you can get a set of wheels and feel more secure in your new home. 

Step 1: License

Your first step is going to have to be making sure you have a valid Canadian drivers license, depending on where you’re coming from this could be easy or it could be difficult. If you have a valid license from a different country then that’s definitely a plus (if you don’t then you’ll have to start from scratch through the Canadian system). Depending on your country of origin you may be able to simply exchange your license for a Canadian one or you may have to sit a written or practical test before being able to exchange. You can find exact policies in Ontario here. 

Step 2: Finding A Car

Now that you can legally drive you need to find a car. Like everywhere else your options are buying new or buying used, and while the exact minutia of the choice may be slightly different to where you’re from, the core questions of price vs efficiency are still the same. 

If you need to find a car quickly and get on the road then a dealership might be a safer bet, however if you need to save money for bigger things like home deposits then finding a good used car might be the better option. 

Step 3: Insurance

In Ontario Car insurance is a legal requirement so before you can take the car onto the road you;ll need to make sure it’s insured. While you can just grab the first coverage you see it’s better to research this one and make sure you aren’t getting ripped off. Once you figure out where to go it’s as simple as asking for it and getting an offer. 

Step 4: Registration

Once you have the car insured you’ll need to register it, if you buy from a dealership then this should be handled for you, however if you opt for a private purchase then you’ll need to handle it yourself. 

You can do this by going to a local service Ontario center with 3 documents in hand: your driver’s license, proof of car insurance, and proof of car ownership. With these 3 things and a small fee you’ll be able to register the car, and finally be ready to take it on the road.