Topic: Coming to Canada

[haggis]

Hi,

newbie to the forum so apologise if this has been covered.

In the UK every year we have to get the car

Insured
MOT'd
Road Tax

Is there similar things that have to be done in canada I need to know about

Tried reading the main canadian website on it and got confused

So help with getting plates and warranty u need to transfer plates onto a car and such

Any other advice you can give.  I've been reading about emission tests and inspections.

Will probably be based in Toronto area if that makes a difference to the answers

Forgive my ignorance

[BeoNET]

- Every year plate sticker renewal $74.00
- Insurance is a must, cost depends on your driving record.
- Emission testing every two years for vehicles beginning in the third calendar year
  after their model year

More info on.
Ontaio Ministry of transportation
http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/

Driver's license
http://www.drivetest.ca/en/home.aspx

Emission testing info
http://www.driveclean.com/

Good luck

[mrthompson]

Welcome to the forum.   

But ya betterrrr be warrrrned, trolls aren't welcome around these parrrrts.

[haggis]

Thanks Guy's

I'll probably be buying a older car just for a run about

I know that if I want to get in on the road straight away i'm looking for one with the scc certificate.  Which is fine

But what about the plates can i get plates in advanced to put onto a car when i purchase it and also if buying a car with plates how do i tell there still valid.

Also anyone know of a insurance company which would help someone from another country as i've got 6 years no claims discount in my own country.

[BeoNET]

After you buy a car you get the plates. Thery're not tranferable.
Shouldn't take more than 30 minutes to do all that at a MTO office.
You don't care if previous owner's plates are valid or not, just make sure the
car is certified.
At any MTO service or kiosk location you can obtain UVIP (Used Vehicle Information
Package) which provides history of a vehicle, usually provided by seller.
Take a letter from your current insurance company as a proof that you had
no claims for certain period of time. Some companies here may accept it.
For different quotes try http://www.kanetix.ca
Maybe you should call some companies and ask them if they'd be willing to
recognize your driving record but for the best quotes, you should shop when you
know what car and year you'll buy.

[mr_meow]

Also remember to avoid all Domestic - Kia and Hyundai  they are all crap here - you can only buy Toyota or Honda its the only decent thing on the road in Canada - although they all trying to change the rubbish cars right now - so in the next few years that might change.
.

[mrthompson]

Yeah, whatever you do don't buy a used 5 year old Buick Regal.   

[mr_meow]

Yeah, whatever you do don't buy a used 5 year old Buick Regal.   

 
.

[mrthompson]

That fact that you bought a car that was 5 years old at the time of purchase should by no means be a reflection on the manufacturer of that particular vehicle.   

[mr_meow]

That fact that you bought a car that was 5 years old at the time of purchase should by no means be a reflection on the manufacturer of that particular vehicle.   

Of course it should - Buick is Nth America answer to luxury - don't make laugh - the fact is all domestic are wankie and cost a fortune in spare parts to keep the dam things on the road also they are old fashion looking this why the loosing so badliy just look at the consumer reports  I just hope that new batch isn't same old same old otherwise you kiss good bye to domestics
.

[mrthompson]

The point I'm trying to get across is that you purchased the car used, therefore there was a previous owner(s).  Only God knows how the car was maintained before you purchased it.  It may have been neglected, and even abused.  I will admit, however, that you have had an exhorbitant number of problems with your car.  Though I don't believe it is reason enough to bad mouth the domestic automotive manufacturers.  You bought a lemon/abused vehicle and have paid the price.  It's time to drop the dead donkey.   

Background:  I've only owned domestics.  All have been used.  Some were more reliable than others.  Some were almost ready for the junkyard when I bought it (I was 18).  I've owned 4 cars and 2 SUV's.

[mr_meow]

The point I'm trying to get across is that you purchased the car used, therefore there was a previous owner(s).  Only God knows how the car was maintained before you purchased it.  It may have been neglected, and even abused.  I will admit, however, that you have had an exhorbitant number of problems with your car.  Though I don't believe it is reason enough to bad mouth the domestic automotive manufacturers.  You bought a lemon/abused vehicle and have paid the price.  It's time to drop the dead donkey.   

Background:  I've only owned domestics.  All have been used.  Some were more reliable than others.  Some were almost ready for the junkyard when I bought it (I was 18).  I've owned 4 cars and 2 SUV's.

I can't argue with that - you have a point and you make sense.
.

[barrie1]

Many Buick owners really enjoy their cars as the majority of them have been very good to the owners. There are exceptions with any brand as even the best of cars can have problems sometimes and thats the way it is unfortunately. Especially when you buy a used vehicle you may never know the true history behind it. 

[mr_meow]

Many Buick owners really enjoy their cars as the majority of them have been very good to the owners. There are exceptions with any brand as even the best of cars can have problems sometimes and thats the way it is unfortunately. Especially when you buy a used vehicle you may never know the true history behind it. 

that maybe true - but really they are a crap car - they interior and exterior are so old and dated - not even on a par with BMW or any other luxury brand - when I first got off the plane it was like going back 20 years - all the cars were dated and horrid with crap build and reliablity issues - I cound't belive it - even volkswagons are crap - Toyota and Honda were admired in Europe they follow - 7 years latter its still the same.
.

[skypoint]

Also anyone know of a insurance company which would help someone from another country as i've got 6 years no claims discount in my own country.

I had a lot of trouble finding any insurance company that would give me anything more than a marginal discount on insurance when I immigrated fromt the UK in January. I had 2 years no claims there, a letter from my insurance company proving it, and I still got raped on insurance.

It cost me over twice as much in Canada as in the UK.

One thing I recommend that you do if possible is take a driver education course. Even though it's basically teaching you how to drive (which is boring because you'll already have a full Ontario licence one you exchange your UK one), if you sit through the 25 hours of in-class tuition and 10 hours in car, you'll get a significant insurance discount.

[articsteve]

Haggis, after you land here we will find you a good reliable older Japanese car.

[haggis]

Thanks

Skypoint i'll keep that in mind about the drivers ed

articsteve

yeah a nice evo would be good but I can feel my bank account takin a hit on insurance on that one.

A little a 2 b car with aircon is all i really want.  That said.  There is a possibility i'm going to be on west coast now and not east o well it's all fun and games

[tpl]

The insurance thing. it MIGHT help if you are insured with one of the UK companies that does business here. Aviva maybe whatever its called in the UK, ING might be another.

Or work for a company that offeres a group scheme to its employees

[No H2O]

Any other advice you can give.

Yup...

You drive on the RIGHT side of the road.

The cruising lane is the RIGHT lane.

The passing lane is the LEFT lane although when you've driven here a day, you'd think all drivers came from the UK because everyone just sits in the left lane and dreams which over there is the regular cruising lane.

[JD]

Remember if you meat meow to laugh at his car. 

Buy a Hyundai or a Kia if you're buying new - If used, look for a Honda/Toyota.