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Owning a private vehicle is among the first decisions that you need to make when you arrive in Canada, making your life easier and more flexible.
If you are arriving as a new immigrant to Canada, one of the very first things to consider is having a personal vehicle. Owning a car in Canada is very convenient, as it makes trips to work, school and shops much easier and provides flexibility of moving and better time management. It could be a challenging process when you decide to buy your first car as it is going to be a big purchase and most probably the first big purchase in your new life in Canada. There are a lot of preparations, required documents, and many options to choose from. The following will serve as an introductory guide to aid you in this very first decision and help in facilitating the process of having your first vehicle in Canada.
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Vehicle Buying Process
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The figure below summarizes the overall steps you need to go through in getting your first vehicle. You can also check this useful guide.
- Plan: You need to choose what type of car suits you and your family, what do you need the car for and what budget you are allocating for that.Â
- Research: As you have planned your decision and the way to go, now it is time to do some research on the car you are deciding to get. Generally, you could start with Google, YouTube, car dealers’ websites in Canada and web pages related to car buying and leasing. You would also benefit from asking friends and people you are connected to.Â
- Find: You then need to find the best deal among dealers, manufacturers and private sellers depending on the car type and age. You would start from the dealers and manufacturer’s websites, third party listings, and advertisements. It is advised not to walk straight into the shop before doing some research and checking on your own first. Â
- Test:Â Before you make the purchase, it is recommended to test and inspect the car. This is to ensure that there are no defects on the level of the car components, body and papers.Â
- Buy: Now it is time to negotiate on the purchase price and the payment installments. This is where you must decide to buy straightaway or apply for a loan and pay for the car with monthly installments.
- Prepare: Before going to the roads and enjoying the new car, you have to prepare some additional documents including car insurance, owner registration and license plates.
- Drive: As you completed all the six steps above, you are ready now to get in your car and drive freely and safely around Canada. Make sure you always comply with safety driving and traffic measures. Read more on the measures here.
New vs Used Car
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Once you have chosen a car and allocated a budget, the hard decision comes: Am I going for a brand new or a used car? To help you in the decision-making, the table below summarizes the benefits of buying a new or a used. Find more information on buying used cars in Ontario here.
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Gather the Right Documents
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One of the major requirements to fulfill when buying your first vehicle in Canada is gathering the needed documents. These can be summarized by a list of three checks as follows:
- Driver’s license: This comes on the top of the list, as you would need a valid driver’s license as a legal requirement to drive on Canadian roads. ´This document can take months and you shall plan ahead before buying a car. In some cases, you might easily be able to swap your foreign license for a Canadian driver’s license depending on which country you’re from. Check here.
- Car Insurance: Another requirement is to establish car insurance before driving on roads. Auto insurance financially protects you, your car, and any third parties in the event of a theft or accident. Ontario has compulsory automobile insurance. This means every vehicle registered in the province must be insured. Check here.
- Registration Certificate: The car registration certificate is a proof that your car belongs to you and is legally registered to drive in your area. Check here.
At Service Ontario you can get your driver’s license and plate stickers, registration and more. For more information, the local office for Lanark County is found here and for Renfrew County is found here.
Tags: insurance, car, auto, buying auto insurance, collision, insure your car, liability, types of insurance
