I had to pass a driving test today to get a proper driving licence – the one I had until now has been learner’s licence and I could not even rent a car with that. The way the system works here is that if you are not on the list of countries who have reciprocal driving licences with Canada then you need to take a knowledge test first and then after the clerks have verified that you have a good driving record back home, then you get to take the basic driving test to get a licence that has the same rights as the one you had back home.

My husband had an English licence and England is on the reciprocal countries’ list. Especially weird since in Canada the driving is on the right side of the road not left. But he got to swap his English licence for the Alberta one without having to take any tests.

It is funny to take a driving test after having been driving for so many years. You get into your routine of driving and don’t necessarily do things the way you are supposed to. I am not so good with keeping the distance from the cars in front or not so careful when turning into a street to make sure that I am on the left side of the one way street for example. Fortunately I did not make any grave errors and I passed. Now my proper licence will be sent to me within 5-10 business days.

Changing the licence is not very cheap either – paid ca $50 for knowledge test and initial licence, then $80 dollars for driving test plus $50 for borrowing the instructor’s car and then additional $25 for the new licence. But I’m happy that I have done it all now, since driving licence here is like an ID card in Estonia – you get to use it for all kinds of occasions.