Are you a Canadian citizen that’s planning to get their international driving license and don’t know where to start? Keep reading to find out how you can obtain one in this quick guide.
Most people accidentally confuse their International Driving Permit with an International Driver’s License. In actuality, the terms are used interchangeably. They believe that the IDP helps them drive in their native country and other countries around the world, perhaps when they don’t have a state-issued driver’s license o they’ve became banned from driving.
Your IDP acts as a translator for your current driver’s license. It’s translated into multiple languages for the convenience of the local authorities in the country you’re traveling to. Your Canadian IDP is converted into 10 languages: French, Spanish, English, Chinese, German, Italian, Arabic, Portuguese and Scandinavian.
Make sure that your IDP is presented with your current state-issued driver’s license when asked. Like your Passport, your IDP is in a booklet form and displays the driver’s name, a photo of the driver, date of birth, and a description of them explaining the type of vehicles they are allowed to use.
Before Applying
Before you get an online international driving license application, you first make sure that you’re obtaining it from a legitimate source. There are a lot of scam sites online that using tactics such as phishing, false advertising, and fake information in attempts to obtain money from unsuspecting users.
Also, receiving an IDP from these services doesn’t help you when you’re traveling aboard. In fact, they increase the chances of you getting rejected at the border or face certain legal issues if you’re pulled over.
Now that you understand these issues, you need to meet the following requirements so that you can complete your application online and have it accepted by the British Columbia Association of Automobiles.
- Have a state-issued driver’s license
- Be 18 years or older
- Have a permanent Canadian address
Remember, if your IDP isn’t by the CAA (Canadian Automobile Association) or the BCAA (British Columbia Automobile Association), chances are it’s illegitimate. The online application fees is $25 CAD. Any site that charges otherwise is a scam and tends to increase the price as high up to $40-50 CAD! Be smart when applying online to avoid these issues and receive a legal ID at the end of the process.
How Do I Get my Canadian IDP?
- Two passport photos
- The fee needed to pay for your international driver’s license
- A complete application form
- Two passport sized photos (You can also take them at any BCAA office)
The rules of the Convention on Road Traffic that made the International Driver’s Permit doesn’t require users to recognize their learner-driver permits. But, if you do have a learner-driver permit, we suggest that you check if its able to be accepted in the country you intend to travel to. This saves you time and ensures that your IDP will be recognized and utilized in that different country.
Before applying, make sure that you have each of these items in your possession. Failure to deliver the right documents can result in a delayed reaction or a loss in money.
Closing Thoughts
Your online international driving license application will take at least 10-15 days for it to be processed. Once accepted, you’ll be able to drive in almost any country you plan on traveling too. Ultimately, make sure it’s from a reliable organization, and they provide their seal so that you can drive internationally with ease.
