Category: Living in Canada

3 Great Dishes To Try At Datsun In Ottawa!

Datsun Restaurant Ottawa

Datsun is an Asian Fusion restaurant located on Elgin Street, just beside another restaurant called El Camino that serves great tacos. The restaurant has a really nice ambience so if you are looking for date night, having a party with your friends this might be a good spot to start at.

Some notes following my visit to Datsun –

  • Come a bit early as you might have to wait a bit for your group. There are a number of pubs located nearby where you could go, have a drink and come back when your table is ready. I recommend Manx Pub which has reasonably priced drinks.
  • I felt that the portion sizes for most of their mains were small so I recommend that you get an appetizer as well along with your order.
  • Usually people prefer to get multiple plates and share the dishes with one-another at this restaurant. This way you can try out different things.
  • Some of the items are mildly-spiced so it would be a good idea to let the server know how much spice you prefer before you order anything.

Here are some of their best menu items that I recommend!

Dan Dan Noodles with Minced Pork

Dan Dan Noodles (with Minced Pork)

Datsun’s Dan Dan Noodles come with minced pork, scallions, and red chili. I must warn you that these noodles are mildly spicy. While my plate was aesthetically pleasing and the meal was delicious, I felt the portions were small and there was only a little bit of meat. I have had Dan Dan Noodles at the 98lala Noodles restaurant in Ottawa, and I found their portions to be comparatively massive.

Datsun Ramen

Datsun Ramen w/ Tonkatsu Broth

Datsun’s Ramen is one of the most popular menu items at Datsun. The dish is served in Tonkatsu Broth and contains pork belly, garlic oil, egg and noodles. Even though the broth is not spicy at all, it was quite flavorful and had a salty/savory taste. I found the meal quite enjoyable.

Spicy Chicken Wings

Spicy Chicken Wings

You might think that these wings would be quite spicy but I felt that they were a mix of sweet and spicy sauce. The flavoring comes close to what I would call spicy BBQ wings. The wings are quite good, and they felt to me sweeter than spicy so you should reconsider if you were not planning to get them because they are called “Spicy Chicken Wings”. If you are looking for hot and spicy wings, my recommendation would be to try Chez Lucien instead.

Menu item that I won’t recommend –

Spicy Coconut Milk Laksa with white rice – The portion size of this one was huge but I don’t think I enjoyed Datsun’s Coconut Milk Laksa at all. To me something just felt off about about it when I had it though I couldn’t point it out.

Address: 380 Elgin St, Ottawa, ON K2P 1N1

Business website: https://eatdatsun.com/

5 Places For Latin Dancing Lessons In Ottawa!

Ritmo Bailey Salsa Night

Ottawa has a number of dance studios and bars where you can learn Latin Dancing. Not only do you get to learn and exercise while dancing but also it’s a great way to meet new people in the city!

Here are some places in Ottawa that offer Dance lessons –

Ritmo Bailey

Address: 12 Byward Market Square, Ottawa, ON K1N 9C3
Business website: https://www.ritmobaileottawa.com/

Ritmo Bailey Dance School

Located conveniently in the Byward Market area, Ritmo Bailey is a good spot for dance lessons. While the place itself doesn’t serve any drinks, I like the fact that there are a number of bars and restaurants located nearby.

  • Variety of Latin dance lessons throughout the weekly.
  • Attracts a mixed demographic.
  • No alcohol or food served. (The water dispenser is there!)
  • Has Latin dance socials on weekends as well.

University of Ottawa Salsa Club

Address: University Centre 85 University Private, Ottawa, ON, K1N 9A7
Business website: https://uosalsa.wixsite.com/uosalsa

University of Ottawa Salsa Club

University’s Salsa Club is one of the biggest dance groups in Ottawa and has events regularly on a weekly basis. The event is open to everyone and there is a small fee for attending the lessons and the socials.

  • UOSalsa club provides same-day lessons for both salsa and bachata.
  • There are lessons for beginners as well as experts.
  • The lessons can get quite busy however the socials are less crowded.
  • Attracts primarily younger demographics.
  • LGBT friendly crowd.
  • Lessons are very affordable
  • Events usually happen on a Tuesday.

Mill Street Brewery

Address: 555 Wellington St, Ottawa, ON K1R 1C5
Business website: https://millstreetbrewery.com/

Mill Street Brew Pub

Mill Street Brewery has weekly salsa nights which include lessons followed by social. The Brewery is one of the few places where not only you can get food and drinks but they also have a decent amount of dance floor for the lessons.

  • Targeted more towards beginner-intermediate level folks.
  • Different instructors every week.
  • Attracts a mixed demographic.
  • Lessons usually take place on a Monday.

Amigos

Address: 858 Merivale Rd, Ottawa, ON K1Z 5Z4

Amigos Sports Bar

While popularly known as a Dive Bar, Amigos has a large dance floor where they do weekly Latin Dancing lessons. The place does a beginner dance workshop before their socials and is relatively more affordable than other places that offer dance lessons.

  • 10 minutes away from downtown Ottawa.
  • Lessons are usually on a Tuesday.
  • Attracts a mixed demographic.
  • Has pool tables, musical jukebox and slot machines.
  • Drinks can be purchased but no food.
  • Affordable lessons

Studio X

Address: 250 City Centre Ave Bay 122, Ottawa, ON K1R 1C7
Business website: https://www.studioxottawa.com/

Salsa at Studio X

Studio X is another Dance studio that offers a variety of Latin dancing lessons. While I found the dance lessons to be great, they are relatively more expensive than other places that I have been to.

  • Offers lessons on different types of Latin dancing.
  • Attracts more intermediate level folks.
  • Lessons can be quite pricey if you are paying at the door.
  • No alcohol or food is served at the venue.

Here are some tips before you head for your Latin dancing lessons! –

  • Make sure you are going to lessons at your level of comfort! If you are new to Latin Dancing, it is recommended that you go for beginner lessons to have a good foundation and only later try practicing advanced moves.
  • In Latin Dancing, people usually dance in pairs which involves a lead and a follower, with the lead usually expected to know the moves. It’s a bit easier to be a follower than to be a lead.
  • Do carry cash with you as some places might only be accepting cash as payment and charge you additional fees for paying with a credit card.
  • Check if the event is still happening! Sometimes the venue changes the dates or the type of lessons before the event takes place so check their Facebook or Instagram if they are still doing the lessons.

10 Amazing Meals That You Can Get At Yunshang Restaurant!

Yunshang Restaurant Ottawa

If you haven’t been to Yunshang before, it’s a small chain of Chinese restaurants in Canada that has recently become one of my favorites! So much so that I decided to go out there often and try out some of the other stuff that they have.

Things you should know before you order –

  • If you become a lifetime VIP member, you will get special discounts on all your orders (Cost me 20 bucks and is worth it if you plan to go there often)
  • This place only accepts debit cards and cash! No credit cards!
  • You can get unlimited noodles for your soup at this place.
  • Portion sizes for their mains are generous.
  • Their food can be quite spicy so if you are not sure, ask the server if it’s possible to reduce the spice level for your order.
  • Add-ons like meatballs, lamb slices, filets, soybeans, tiger shrimp paste, boychoy and more can be added on request.
  • Meals are served hot, so be a bit careful while eating.
  • Silverware can be requested if you are not familiar with chopsticks.

Some of the best meals that you can have at Yunshang –

Chinese Sauerkraut Fish Noodle Soup

Chinese Sauerkraut Fish Noodle Soup

Their Fish Noodle soup consists of Fish and Sauerkraut as the primary ingredients and reminded me of sour pickles, the sour taste being due to the Sauerkraut. While this dish is sour, it’s quite enjoyable. I found that they had decent portions of fish as well as sauerkraut.

Duck Blood Noodles with Chili Sauce

Duck Blood Noodles with Chili Sauce

The Duck Blood Noodles have a well balanced mix of flavors as it has a mix of sweet and spice. This was my first time trying out Duck Blood which I was thinking was going to be the broth but it’s pieces of Duck Blood, that have a Tofu-like texture. In terms of spice level I would say it’s hot enough but very tolerable.

Spicy and Sour Noodles with Beef and Enoki Mushrooms

Spicy and Sour Noodles with Beef and Enoki Mushrooms

My order of Spicy and Sour Noodles was exactly what the title of the dish is, It was spicy and sour. For me, these noodles were absolutely delicious but I must warn you that they are quite spicy. Make sure to ask for extra napkins if you order this one! There was a good portion of beef and enoki mushrooms in the dish.

Beef Brisket Noodles

Beef Brisket Noodles

If you don’t like spice or don’t want to go for noodles, then I think you should go for the Beef Brisket Noodles. For this dish, it is possible to adjust the level of Spice. I went in for Mild-Spicy. If you pay extra, they have an option for a very high level of spice as well. The beef was tender and flavorful.

Spicy Rice Noodles

Spicy Rice Noodles

I like how the rice noodle soup comes with a variety of veggies and meat/seafood. You get quail egg, pork, ham, shrimp, sweetcorn, bean curd sheet, black fungus and a couple of more items. You add all of them into the boiling pot full of broth that you receive and then the noodles for them to cook a bit before eating. I enjoy this unique experience at Spicy Rice Noodles where you kind of feel like cooking your own meal but with less effort.

Coconut Rice Noodles

Coconut Rice Noodles

While the Coconut Rice Noodles dish contains coconut milk, you will be surprised at how spicy it still is. It might be less spicy than Spicy Rice Noodles but still has a decent amount of spice in it. I found this one to be quite flavorful due to the coconut milk added into it. If you can’t handle spice, go with the Original Rice Noodle Soup.

Fruitwood Smoked Pork Intestine and Duck Blood in Spicy Rice Noodle Soup

Fruitwood Smoked Pork Intestine and Duck Blood in Spicy Rice Noodle Soup

My rice noodle soup with pork intestine and duck blood was quite spicy. The dish has a bit of smoky flavor as well due to the fruitwood smoked pork intestine. There was a lot of meat in my dish and a little bit of fried tofu as well. If you order this dish, you might also end up having to take some home with you, just ask for the extra noodles before you leave!

Sichuan Style Spicy and Crispy Fried Pork Ribs

Spicy and Crispy Fried Pork Ribs

The Fried Pork Ribs were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. I found them to be slightly spicy and the taste is further enhanced with the sauce that comes with the ribs. Feel free to ask for more sauce as you will probably run out of it quick.

Smoked Pork Intestine

The Smoked Pork Intestines are more like an appetizer so if you are planning to order these, I would recommend that you go for multiple small dishes. Made from pig’s intestines, the texture of the meat was slightly chewy and had a savory/salty flavor. Make sure you dip the Pork Intestines in the sauce provided as they taste great with it.

Smoked Pork Intestine

Smoked Pork Feet

The Smoked Pork Feet is another appetizer sized dish that Yunshang has. While I was expecting the Pork Feet to be very chewy/oily, that did not appear to be the case. The meat was soft and came right off the bones. They were so delicious with the sauce provided and I quickly finished them.

Smoked Pork Feet

98lala Noodles Is The Best Chinese Noodles Restaurant in Ottawa!

A while ago while I was browsing through Instagram, I came across a video about dan dan noodles which led me to search for dan dan noodle spots near me. That’s how I came to know about 98lala Noodles which is located close to the Byward Market area.

And since that visit, it has become one of my favorite go to spots! Not only are the noodles just amazing but also I have found the items on their menu to be of great value compared to other restaurants. Appetizers are priced around $5 while their mains (noodles) are priced between $13-17.

Dan Dan Noodles

Experience Dan Dan Noodles at 98lala Noodles!

Despite having a large number of Chinese restaurants in Ottawa, you will find Dan Dan Noodles only at a few spots, 98Lala Noodles is one of them.

You can go either with round or flat noodles and in case you don’t like spicy food, you can let the server know that you want a less spicy broth. I decided to go with the highest spice level on my recent visit and found it still very delicious! I would recommend that you go with their spiciest version as well!

One thing that makes 98LaLa Noodles so special is that the broth that they actually serve is cooked for about a day and utilizes large amounts of beef and chicken. The flavors are then enhanced with a variety of spices that just make their broth absolutely delicious!

About 98lala Noodles

  • Chinese cuisine
  • Casual Dining Experience
  • Affordable prices
  • Large quantities
  • Variety of noodles
  • Street parking

Service at 98lala Noodles

Service at the place is fast enough even if you are in large groups. It didn’t take us too long to get our dishes and appetizers for a party of six. Unlike some other restaurants in downtown which want you to leave as soon as you are finished with your meal, I didn’t notice any kind of issues with this restaurant.

Hot and Sour Noodles

Address: 179 George St, Ottawa, ON K1N 1J8

Business website: https://lala-noodle.com/

7 Food Menu Items At 98LaLa Noodles Reviewed!

98LaLa Noodles is one of those restaurants which might not have the most impressive indoors, but their food is definitely awesome!

All of the hand-pulled noodles options at 98Lala Noodles are Lanzhou style and contain no soy sauce. Instead they have a lighter taste from the beef broth that is flavored with salt and herbs. The broth also contains chinese radish, chili oil and parsley.

Couple of notes before you order –

  • You can decide the level of spice for the noodles.
  • For most people, medium spice would be more than enough.
  • Their small size is quite big. Go Large only if you have a big appetite.
  • You have the option to decide the type of noodles.
  • You can have extras (eggs/meat/shrimps) added to your noodles.
  • Some of the appetizers are served cold so check with the server.

Here is a short review of some of the menu items I have tried so far –

Noodles with Ribs

If you are feeling really hungry go with the Noodles with Ribs. This item is served in Large size only and I felt it was more than enough for two people! The broth is spicy and tastes really good while the ribs meat is so soft it just melts in your mouth!

Noodles with Ribs

Sichuan Dan Dan Noodles

The Sichuan Dan Dan noodles were ordered with thin flat noodles and had medium spice. You do have the option of adding additional chili oil if you want a bit of an extra kick. If you are looking to have Dan Dan noodles in Ottawa then this chinese restaurant would be your go-to spot!

Dan Dan Noodles

Beef Stew Noodles

The order for Beef Stew Noodles came with the thick round noodles option. The beef was really soft and the broth was delicious as well!

Beef Stew Noodles

Noodles with Minced Pork Paste

I ordered a regular for the Minced Pork Noodles and didn’t really find them to be spicy unlike other noodles. I think these ones were my least favorite out of all the menu items I have tried so far at 98lala Noodles.

Noodles with Minced Pork Paste

Lamb Skewers (spicy)

98LaLa Noodles has a lot of appetizers to choose from and from all of them, I think their Lamb Skewers have been my favorite. The meat has a blend of hot and spicy seasoning and is supposed to feel like what you would expect from street food in China. They do have other seasoned BBQ options meat/seafood/vegetarian options as well if you are not into lamb or meat in general.

BBQ Lamb Skewers

Beef Skewers (spicy)

I found the Lamb Skewers to be a bit more enjoyable compared to the Beef skewers. The seasoning for both meats appeared to be the same however I think the texture of meat made a bit of a difference. Before this I have only tried out the skewers from Costco and these ones are a lot better than the ones you get in store.

Beef Skewers at 98Lala Noodles

Pepper Chicken (medium hot)

Unlike other appetizers, the Pepper Chicken dish is served cold and has quite a unique taste. I would recommend you to try out this appetizer.

Pepper chicken

Visit 98lala Noodles!

98lala noodles is located close to the Byward Market area. Prices for their mains appear to be quite reasonable compared to other restaurants in the area. There is limited street parking available which is free after normal working hours.

Address: 179 George St, Ottawa, ON K1N 1J8

Business website: https://lala-noodle.com/

How To Request Review Of Decision For Refusal Of Personalized License Plate (Quebec)?

If you have applied for a personalized license plate for your vehicle with SAAQ, there is a possibility that the character combination you choose might get rejected for a variety of reasons.

Reasons For Rejection

SAAQ has mentioned on their website that they can reject combinations for the following reasons –

  • Difficult to read character combinations
  • Gives a false impression of being associated with law enforcement or government.
  • Associated with a distinctive trademark
  • Confusing character combinations
  • Obscene or Derogatory language

Here is a copy of the email that I received after applying for my character combination –

You recently ordered a personalized license plate from the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec.

We wish to inform you that the character combination you chose has been refused, as it includes an expression or message that promotes the perpetuation of a criminal offense, which does not respect the conditions set out by law.

The acquisition fee you paid for your personalized license plate will be reimbursed to your credit card within 4 to 6 business days. If it is not possible to provide a refund directly to your credit card, you will be mailed a refund cheque.

SAAQ

I was quite surprised by this decision from SAAQ as my character combination did not have anything to do with what they were claiming. If you believe you have a similar case, here is what you will need to do.

How To Send Request For Review

You will need to send a letter to the following address requesting them to review their decision –

Direction des opérations centralisées
333, boulevard Jean-Lesage, N-3-22
Case postale 19600, succursale Terminus
Québec (Québec) G1K 8J6

Your letter should contain the following points –

  1. What was your Order ID and what combination you applied for.
  2. How did you come with the combination, Does it relate to you personally?
  3. Mention that you do not believe it has any negative connotations.
  4. Also, it would be good to mention that you do not have a criminal record.

Review Timeline

Once you submit the letter, it can take about 2-3 weeks to hear back from SAAQ regarding if your decision was successful or not. In my case, the character combination was accepted after review.

Here is the message I received from SAAQ –

We are pleased to inform you that the character combination you have chosen has been accepted. Your order has been sent to the manufacturer and you should receive your personalized license plate within 3 to 6 weeks.

SAAQ

Once you receive your plate, you are still required to activate it before placing it on your vehicle.

My Search For Cheap Car Insurance In Gatineau Quebec

My auto insurance policy is up for renewal next month and my current insurance provider has increased my premium by a bit despite me having no claims. So I started looking for which provider would provide me with the lowest car insurance rate.

All the quotes were requested with the following inclusions –

  • Property damage protection of $1,000,000
  • Accident Protection – deductible of $500
  • All damage protection with a deductible of $250
  • Accidental Benefits Insurance
  • Unexpected expense coverage (rental)

Here are all the auto insurance quotes I got –

Belairdirect – $68.75 per month + Taxes

Belairdirect Insurance

Belairdirect is my current provider of auto insurance and interestingly they gave me a lower quote online than what has been offered to me for my renewal. It appears to be common practice among insurance providers to provide an online discount when you get a new insurance quote, however the discount doesn’t get applied on renewal.

Intact Personal Insurance – $149.67 + Taxes

Intact Insurance

Intact’s car insurance quote turned out to be quite pricey! There appears to be a huge difference between the quote offered by Belairdirect and Intact despite Belairdirect being owned by Intact! I was quite surprised with what Intact was offering me.
Also when I had a chat with the agent over the phone, they were not willing to consider my Driving Experience outside Quebec which was strange.

TD Insurance – $85.67 per month + Taxes

TD Insurance

While TD is not the cheapest insurance, one of the benefits of having insurance through them is that they don’t require you to have a Quebec license to provide you with auto insurance. Note that certain auto insurance companies will refuse to provide you with auto insurance if you have an out-of-province license.

SSQ Insurance – $97.58 per month + Taxes
($70 per month tax included with additional documentation)

SSQ Insurance

When I applied for car insurance through the online form, it only gives you the option to provide Quebec Driving Experience. I had a chat with their agent and was informed that they can consider Canadian (Out of Quebec) as well as United States Driving Experience as well provided I give them proof that I had no claims/clean driving record. This was going to be a hassle for me since I no longer reside in the US and you have to physically go to the DMV to get the driving records. However, you can get a significant discount so if you have the ability to get records from your state/province do it! If I had all the documentation, then SSQ was willing to offer me an insurance rate of $70 per month!

Beneva – $102.75 per month + Taxes

Beneva

While Beneva considered my full driving experience (Canadian as well as abroad), It still had a higher auto insurance quote than other providers. I was thinking that this one would have been the cheapest but that did not appear to be the case.

CAA-Quebec – $88.33 per month + Taxes ($2,000,000 civil liability)

CAA Quebec

CAA Quebec turns out to be a non-profit provider of auto insurance. When I got the online quote, the civil liability coverage was $2,000,000 and there wasn’t an option to change it unless I talked to an agent. I was also informed during the process that I could have gotten an additional 10 percent off if I had CAA membership (The membership is at $8 per month).

Co-operators – $82.93 per month + Taxes

Co Operators

I have a feeling that if I have a conversation with the agents at Co-Operators I would be able to get a lower quote based on my Foreign Driving Experience. The online form only asks you questions based on Canadian Driving Experience.

Aviva Canada – $100.92 per month + Taxes

Aviva’s auto insurance took into consideration my US driving experience. However, I did not see any option to include my UK driving experience. I think they might consider it since they are owned by a British company.

Other providers –
I tried getting a quote from Desjardins, RBC, AON and some other auto insurance providers however it appears that they are only able to provide quotes after having a chat with an agent.

Cheapest insurance
It appears that for me Belairdirect would be the cheapest auto insurance. I did try to reach out to different insurance brokers as well however did not get a better price than what I have been offered.

Some things to note –

  • I got the quote based on my profile 30s (married), based in Gatineau QC
  • Car valued at approximately $17,000
  • Mileage between 10,000-15,000 km
  • I bundled my quote with tenants insurance whenever possible.

Can Canadians Use TN Status To Work Remotely From Canada For US Employer?

If you aren’t already aware, the TN status allows Canadian Citizens to enter United States for work purposes. For Canadian citizens, The TN status does not involve a visa application.

Can you work under TN status from Canada?

Yes, it is possible to work remotely under the TN status from Canada but the question applies under what scenario does it make sense to get the TN status while working for US based companies.

Do you really need TN status to work remotely for US employer?

No, if you are going to be permanently based in Canada and not entering the United States for work then usually you are not required to have TN status.

As a Canadian Citizen, you have unrestricted right to live and work in Canada and that includes any work you do remotely for any non-Canadian company while residing in Canada.

Why get the TN Status if working from Canada?

Under certain scenarios, it can make sense to get the TN status.

  • Working in both US/Canada – If you are going to be working in both US and Canada then it makes sense for you to get the TN status.
  • Company is not incorporated in Canada – Some companies might not be willing to employee you unless you are on their W2 payroll.

How to work remotely for US company without TN status?

There are three routes on how you can work for US company without TN Status –

  • Canadian subsidiary – In case the US Employer has a Canadian subsidiary, you can ask them to hire you as an employee through them as a Canadian Employee.
  • Contractor (Sole Proprietor/Incorporated) – It might be worth asking the US based company, if you can work for them as a contractor.
  • Umbrella company – Your US employer could utilize a company that offers Canadian payroll and benefits to you while you work remotely in Canada.

Do you get double taxed while on TN status working in Canada?

The tax treaty between Canada and United States allows you to avoid double taxation however you would need to file your returns in both countries.

How to get the TN status?

Canadian Citizens can get the TN status by showing up at any US border crossing or when flying to the US. Steps to be followed –

  • Request for the TN status
  • Provide proof of job offer for temporary employment (not to exceed a period of three years)
  • Proof of degree (original document) and employment history to prove qualification for the job
  • Proof of citizenship (original document)
  • Pay required fee

Alternatively, an employer can request a visa status change to TN on behalf of the applicant. However this can be a time consuming process.

Are all jobs eligible for TN status?

Only a limited number of professions are eligible for TN status.

  • Accountants
  • Engineers
  • Lawyers
  • Doctors
  • Nurses
  • Pharmacists
  • Scientists
  • Teachers

If you are not sure if your profession is eligible, you should contact USCIS.

Beware of the limitations of the TN status

While the TN status gives you right to work in the United States, you should be aware that –

  • You are authorized to work for only 1 employer in the US
  • The TN status has to be renewed every three years.
  • The job needs to be listed on the qualified TN professionals list.
  • You need to have a bachelors degree.

How To Buy Used Car From Out-of-Province Private Seller As Quebec Resident?

If you are based in Quebec but looking to buy a car from a private seller who is based outside Quebec then you will need to do a bit more paperwork compared to buying a car from a private seller who is based in Quebec.

A private seller refers to an individual who is looking to sell their car and NOT a dealership. Usually dealerships located outside Quebec can still handle issues related to buying out-of-province cars.

Before making the purchase

  • Check how much does the used car with similar mileage cost at a dealership by going on Autotrader.ca or other used car portals.
  • Do a visual inspection – It is recommended to do an inspection during daytime as any damage on the exterior of the car is going to be more noticeable. Look under the hood of the car as well!
  • Test drive the car – You should always test drive the car before buying it. Try turning the car engine on/off multiple times, do the brakes work, does everything seem to work properly.
  • Request CARFAX report and review the car’s maintenance history
  • Verify car ownership by reviewing the owner’s registration document
  • Make an offer based on the assessed condition of the car

Does the car have a lien on it?

If the car was purchased using a loan, it might have lien on it through the financial institute/bank. You will need to ask for proof from the seller that the certifies that the lien has been paid off.

Save your spot with a refundable deposit

It can take some time to get the funding and other documentation before you can register the car under your name. Some sellers might be okay to put down a deposit so that the car is reserved for you while you sort out the paperwork and finances.

Request for safety inspection to be done

The seller will need to do a safety inspection done in their province before they can complete the sale. The safety inspection can show if there are any important issues with the car that may show up.

Making an offer based on the Seller’s Safety Inspection

If there are any issues like brakes need replacement that show up which you believed were not aware of, you might ask for a discount from the seller since it’s going to cost you a bit of money to get them replaced.

How to get funding for a used car?

If you have enough cash and can pay for the car in full that can be one option to consider. Some sellers might be okay with cash payments but for large transfers would prefer cheque or bank transfer.

If the amount is high, you might want to go for loan on the used car. You can get a quote from your bank or credit union and see if that is the way you want to go.

Documents required to complete purchase

  • Registration certificate from seller
  • Bill of sale form – Should include seller and buyer’s information, and the vehicle – make, model, year, VIN, odometer reading
  • Copy of seller’s driver license/photo ID
  • Quebec Power of Attorney – This document is required if the seller is not going to be with you during registration of the car in Quebec.
  • Letter certifying lien has been paid off (if car was bought using loan)

You can ask the seller to get a safety inspection done for Quebec as well however it’s responsibility of the buyer to provide one at Quebec’s Vehicle registration office.

Additional Documents required for vehicle registration

  • Quebec Safety Inspection Certificate
  • Car Insurance
  • Buyer’s Provincial driving license
  • Buyer’s Proof of address

Get your car registered as soon as possible

Depending on the seller’s province; and Quebec – the registration needs to be completed with a certain period otherwise might be considered expired.

I highly recommend that you get the registration same-day or following day of your purchase it will take about 15 minutes!

What if you don’t have Quebec Safety Inspection Certificate?

You will be issued a temporary registration and will be given 3 days that you can drive for essential stuff till you get the Quebec Safety Inspection Certificate for the vehicle. It is highly recommended that you get it done before you are headed to the registration office.

What if the buyer has an out-of-province driving license?

If you have an out-of-province license, you can still make your purchase. You wouldn’t run into any issues if you were lets say having an Ontario Driving License and trying to register the car.

Make sure to take proof of address (Quebec) with you.

Also, You can get it swapped for a Quebec Driving License at the office. However an appointment is usually required for exchanging license in Quebec.

Seller takes their license plate with them!

The car’s license plate doesn’t come with the car. You have to get your license plate from the Quebec’s Vehicle Authority (SAAQ). It can be tricky driving without plates, and there are two solutions to that –

  • You can ask the seller to drive the car to SAAQ for registration and then take off plates OR
  • You can ask the seller to let you have the plates till the registration is transferred (as technically the car is still registered under the previous owner’s name). Furthermore, you can then take the plates off after registration and return them to the seller.

Quebec Tax and Registration Costs

You will need to pay tax for the purchase of the car as well as registration costs. It would be good to have around 15% of the car’s purchase price in the bank to pay for it.

Making payments at SAAQ

Take multiple cheques with you. The office you are headed to might accept debit card/cash payments only. You will run into trouble trying to pay with a credit card.

After vehicle registration

  • Make a copy of the registration and keep the original in the car’s glove box.
  • Put the new Quebec License plate on your car!

How To Exchange Your US Driver’s License for Canadian License (Ontario)?

Did you know that if you have a US Driving License, you can simply get it exchanged for a Canadian Driving License (Ontario)! If you meet all the requirements, you would not have to give a driving test either (just vision test).

Steps For Exchanging License

  • Go to Service Ontario
  • Take the vision test
  • Provide the required documents
  • Get picture taken
  • Pay the applicable fees
  • Fill the application form

You would get a temporary license document and your Ontario Driver’s License will be mailed to you.

Documents Required

You will be asked to provide the following documents –

  • Unexpired US Driving License
  • US Driving History – You can get this from your state’s DMV
  • Proof that you completed more than two years of driving in the US
  • Valid Photo ID – Could be passport, green card, photo card.

Exchanging License at Service Ontario

Just go into any Service Ontario office with your US license and let them know you would like to exchange it for an Ontario Driving License.

No appointment in advance is required at Service Ontario

Sometimes the Service Ontario office is quite busy and it can take 1-2 hours before your turn comes, so make sure to plan your day accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the website for Service Ontario?

The website for Service Ontario is https://www.ontario.ca/page/serviceontario.

What if you don’t have more than 2 years of Driving Experience?

Depending on how many years you have driven in the United States, they will issue you either a G2 License or a G License.

A Full Driving License (Commonly known as G License) can be only obtained if you have completed more than 2 years of driving in the United States.

What if my US Driving License expired?

Yes, you can use expired US License to get Canadian license. It must not have been expired more than one year and also must not be cancelled or suspended.

It would be up-to the discretion of the officer to issue you an Ontario Driving License.

Make sure to carry your driving history with you which you would need to obtain from DMV.

What if I have lost my most recent US Driving License?

Your application can still be processed if you have your prior US driving license (expired) and would be required to fill in a form that you lost your US Driving License at Service Ontario.

How long can I drive in Ontario with my US license?

As per official guidelines, new residents can use their license from prior US state for 60 days.

Would demerit points transfer from US driving license to Ontario?

Demerit points usually do not get transferred from your US driving license to your new Ontario License.

When you submit your documents, your driving history will be reviewed and if Ontario has a treaty recognizing points from a US state only then they will get transferred.

A Service Ontario officer would be able to advise you if your demerit points will get transferred from your State or not.

Which countries driving license can be exchanged in Canada?

You can exchange the license of the following countries for a Canadian Driver’s License

  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • France
  • Germany
  • United Kingdom
  • United States of America
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • New Zealand
  • Northern Ireland
  • Republic of Ireland
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan

How can I exchange Ontario License for Quebec?

Please follow our guide for exchanging out-of-province license for Quebec’s.