Kanetix Forum

I moved to Canada in 2007 and exchanged my UK license for an Ontario license. The start date on it was set to that day in 2007 despite the fact I'd had my UK license for 10 years. I never gave it a second thought but now know this leads to me being considered a "new driver" in 2007. As a result I being burned every year for insurance premiums despite long experience and no claims - I think it's a bit of a scandal to be honest but of course there aren't enough of us to raise big enough questions. In the UK my premium for an $80,000 car was down to $800. I'm now paying $3500 per year for two fairly ordinary cars worth a total of $35,000 and that's after shopping around a lot!

I've heard of some people who managed to get a backdated license when they exchanged a foreign license in Ontario. Anyone else do/hear of anything similar?

I've recently changed to basic insurance cover on my $20k car simply because I refuse to pay $2000 per year for it. Saves me about $200. :-( Rip-off?

The Ministry of Transportation of Ontario(MTO) often grants credit to newcomers to Ontario for their previous license experience by allowing them to swap drivers licenses as in your case. They often do this for people coming from Commonwealth or European states where driving conditions and licensing requirements may be somewhat similar. Many people coming from other countries have to go through a series of licensing tests and start from scratch although they have driven in their home country for years

Insurers take whatever license date the MTO gives you although some will give you some credit for your good driving in the U.K. if you have a claims free letter from your previous insurer some insurers in Ontario will give you some credit from the U.K. For example, AXA will give you 3 years or more worth of credit if you have an appropriate letter.

Comparing prices in Ontario to the UK is an unfair comparison. It is like comparing apples to oranges.

Sean Graham, Principal Broker at KTX Insurance Brokers