Allowed to drive in Canada?

[ForumUser]

I am a student (29 years old) and have a full drivers licence from Panama.

Am I legally allowed to drive over here in Canada.

For instance, can I rent a car and drive here.

[SettlementOrgMod]

Hello,

Thank you for sharing this person’s situation and question with us.

According to the Ministry of Transportation website,

If you are visiting Ontario for less than 3 months and want to drive while you’re here, you can use a valid driver’s licence from your own province, state or country.

You will also need to:

• be at least 16 years old- have proper insurance coverage for the vehicle you will drive- carry an original (or exact) copy of the vehicle ownership permit- obey traffic laws, drive safely and avoid collisions when you drive

You can also find some additional information in our Settlement.Org Is the International Driver’s Permit (IDP) valid in Canada? article. Here is an excerpt,

If you are a temporary resident, such as a foreign student or foreign worker, you might be considered a resident and need to get an Ontario driver’s licence. Please contact the Ministry of Transportation for more information about your situation.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.

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Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org