Canada One of the Easiest Countries in Which to Get Your Driver’s Licence

A new study out of the UK by Zutobi.com analyzes the ease or difficulty of obtaining a driver’s permit in different countries around the world. Elements considered include cost, age when allowed to apply for a licence, whether eye and medical tests are required and the hours of lessons needed before being allowed to take an exam.

Last but not least, the study even took into account whether applicants need to take a theory or practical exam at all. And yes, that is not a given! In Mexico, those seeking to get a driver’s licence are not required to pass a practical driver’s test. We shudder at the thought. Not coincidentally, that country sits at the very top of the ranking of easiest countries to become a legal driver.

We’re No. 5! We’re No. 5!
So where does Canada rank? While it’s not in Mexico’s league, which stands head and shoulders above every other nation, it ranks fifth in the world for ease of obtaining a permit, just behind the United States. In fact, the only thing keeping the Great White North from outranking our neighbours to the south is the slightly higher cost of a driving test here.

In contrast with some other countries, Canadian applicants are not required to take an eye or medical test, and they do not need to have taken any lessons prior to taking a test. The average cost for taking a driving test in Canada is $136 USD (or roughly $172 CAD), and the minimum age for doing so is 16. Thankfully, a practical test is required.

Young Canadians seeking to get a licence to drive will feel fortunate they don’t live in Croatia, rated the toughest country to obtain your driver’s permit. The age limit for doing so there is 18, which is reasonable enough; but the average cost for taking the exam is $1,288 USD (or $1,630 CAD), which is definitely NOT reasonable! Contrast that to countries like Pakistan, India, Vietnam, Turkey, China and Argentina, which charge their citizens a nominal fee or none at all to take a driver’s test.

Read more