Canadian bike licences in England

[shrike254]

Hi, I'm on L-plates at the moment, as I was caught out by the law change. And I'd like to change that.
I recently made a thread about tests you can do to ride a 125 without L-plates, and was helped greatly. However after making that thread, I had a brainwave.
My mum is Canadian, which means that I have Canadian citizenship. In Manitoba, the law is that at 16 years old, you can do one test and ride any bike you like, unrestricted.

If I went to Canada for a week or two, got my licence there, and came back. Would my Canadian bike licence be valid? And could I ride a bike more than 125cc, despite having an English licence/CBT with L-plates here?

Thanks a lot in advance to anyone who answers I've tried looking all over the place, but all that seems to show up is people asking about UK -> Canada licence compatibility, not the other way around.

[Tungtvann]

I believe you could, but after one year you must get a full British license.

[shrike254]

Ah, I actually got the laws for bike licences completely wrong in Canada, but it's still faster than here; about years.
And thank you, but how come I'd have to get a full English licence after a year?

[Irn-Bru]

https://www.gov.uk/exchange-a-foreign-driving-licence

HTH
____________________
KTM 990 SMT & Suzuki DR-Z 400 SM

[blurredman]

[Tungtvann]

A Canadian license is classed as an international license, and if you are a permanent resident of the UK, you'll need to get a British one after 12 months. Stops those from countries where the test involves starting the engine driving forever on their Mickey Mouse license. Still 12 months of havoc though!

[shrike254]

Thanks a lot, Irn-Bru
I got this out of that website "You can exchange your driving licence up to 5 years after becoming resident in the UK so long as your licence remains valid. The fee is £50."

[Irn-Bru]

Yes but come to think of it, you're already a citizen so I think that means you are stuffed
____________________
KTM 990 SMT & Suzuki DR-Z 400 SM

[shrike254]

Of England? Would that make a difference?

[Going]

Once you get a UK licence, doesn't that mean the internasional one becomes invaild.

[Irn-Bru]

[Matt B]

[LordShaftesbu...]

Being a citizen is not the same as being a resident.

When I lived in Canada I tried getting my bike license even though I am a British citizen there and not a Canadian one. I was a Canadian resident though. If I had passed the final test and got a full Canadian license I could have swapped it for a UK one when I returned.

Not sure if they'd allow someone just on holiday to take the Candian tests though. I had a proper visa n stuff.

[Tungtvann]

[Matt B]

[LordShaftesbu...]

[dandelion]

Well good luck with going over there to do your license if you choose to do so. I would give them a call and say I already have a Canadian license, and see what they say about exchanging it to make sure.

I called them because I have both my Costa Rican and Salvadorian license and they replied "Pardon, but what are those?"

[shrike254]

[shrike254]

Thanks a lot for all the help everyone
It's very much appreciated

[moonzoomer]

Same rules apply to dvla/dva issued U.K licences, you can have one or the other but not both. People moving from N.I to Britain or Britain to N.I have to exchange their licences if they want to add another group and must exchange their licence when it is due for renewal at the latest.