Taking a car away with you to university or college can help you get to your classes - but make sure you are smart about your car insurance too. When you move, you have to follow the proper guidelines to ensure your insurance coverage continues without interruption and fulfill the licensing and vehicle requirements of the province.
Sounds like a lot of work? Don't worry, we've put together this handy 'cheat sheet'.* Where possible, details are listed--as well as the government ministries, agencies or departments you should contact to ensure you know the licensing and vehicle registration rules.
Your first step
Notify your current insurance supplier of your intentions to go to another province with your car to attend school.
Policies and rules vary by company so you must speak with your licensed representative before you leave, because you may or may not be covered.
Your next step
Learn more about the requirements of the province where you'll be attending school. Pick the province where you will be living and keep reading:
British Columbia
Alberta
Saskatchewan
Manitoba
Ontario
Quebec
Newfoundland & Labrador
New Brunswick
Nova Scotia
Prince Edward Island
British Columbia
According to the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC), if you're a registered full-time student at a recognized institution you need to obtain a Combined Certificate of Registration of a Non-Resident Motor Vehicle and Insurance Certificate to operate a vehicle in B.C. This must be done within 30 days of your arrival in B.C.
The ICBC is your resource for confirming visiting student requirements. You can find information about driver licensing, vehicle registration and auto insurance at www.icbc.com.
Alberta
According to Service Alberta, your home province's driver's licence and insurance will be accepted so long as:
- You are a full-time student (and can prove it with a letter of registration)
- Your licence is valid and in good standing
- You're the registered owner of the vehicle, and
- You have valid insurance in your name for the vehicle.
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan auto insurance, driver licensing and vehicle registration information is all available to you through the Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) website: www.sgi.sk.ca.
Manitoba
Your home province's driver's licence, registration and insurance will be accepted so long as both are in good standing and valid. However, you do need to get a student sticker.
To get your student sticker, you will have to provide the following documentation:
- A copy of your vehicle registration and insurance card
- Proof of your full-time student status
- Pay a student sticker fee (about $2)
Contact Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) to about their student requirements and get more information at www.mpi.mb.ca.
Ontario
Information about Ontario's driver licensing and vehicle registration is available to you through the Ontario Ministry of Transportation website: www.mto.gov.on.ca.
If you are required to get an Ontario driver's licence and need to register your vehicle in the province, you'll likely also have to get Ontario car insurance. To learn more about Ontario car insurance visit the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) or compare Ontario car insurance quotes at Kanetix to get a feel for the costs.
Quebec
Information about Quebec licensing and vehicle registration can be found at the Société d'assurance automobile du Québec website: www.saaq.gouv.qc.ca. If you are required to get a Quebec driver's licence and need to register your vehicle in the province, you'll likely also have to get Quebec car insurance. To learn more about Quebec car insurance visit:
- Groupement des assureurs automobiles - www.gaa.qc.ca
- IBC Quebec - www.bac-quebec.qc.ca
- InfoInsurance - www.infoinsurance.ca
Also, don't forget to compare Quebec car insurance quotes at Kanetix to get a feel for the costs.
Newfoundland & Labrador
Information about Newfoundland & Labrador's driver licensing and vehicle registration is available to you through the provincial government's Service NL website: servicenl.gov.nl.ca.
If you are required to get a Newfoundland & Labrador driver's licence and need to register your vehicle in the province, you'll likely also have to get car insurance from within the province. To get it, you'll want to compare quotes from a variety of providers to make sure you're getting your coverage at the best available price.
New Brunswick
Information about New Brunswick licensing and vehicle registration can be found at the following government websites:
- Service New Brunswick - www.snb.ca
- Government of New Brunswick - www.gnb.ca
If you are required to get a New Brunswick driver's licence and need to register your vehicle in the province, you'll likely also have to get New Brunswick car insurance. To learn more about New Brunswick car insurance visit the New Brunswick Insurance Board or compare New Brunswick car insurance quotes at Kanetix to get a feel for the costs.
Nova Scotia
Information about Nova Scotia licensing and vehicle registration and insurance can be found at the government's Access Nova Scotia website: novascotia.ca
If you are required to get a Nova Scotia driver's licence and need to register your vehicle in the province, you'll likely also have to get Nova Scotia car insurance. To learn more about Nova Scotia car insurance visit the government's Minsitry of Finance or compare Nova Scotia car insurance quotes at Kanetix to get a feel for the costs.
Prince Edward Island
Information about Prince Edward Island licensing and vehicle registration can be found through the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal website: www.gov.pe.ca
If you are required to get a PEI driver's licence and need to register your vehicle in the province, you'll likely also have to get car insurance from within the province. Compare PEI car insurance quotes at Kanetix to get a feel for the costs.
* Although accurate at the time of publication, these rules - where detailed - are subject to change. As well, there may be other government resources (ministries, departments, agencies etc.) that offer the information you need - this list may not be exhaustive. Kanetix is not responsible for any damages caused as a result of the information included in this article. The information collected and compiled here is intended to simply highlight the differences between provinces. You will still need to speak with your current insurance supplier and research the requirements of the province before you head off to your new school.
