In the listening lesson “The Licence Plate!”, I mentioned all the different things you must do if you want to drive and own a car in Ontario (my province). The first thing you need to do is get a driver’s licence! In this post, I explain what you need to do to get a driver’s licence and how to keep your licence!

In Canada and America, you need a valid driver’s licence in order to legally drive a car. In North America a driver’s licence is a small, rectangular, plastic card that you must have with you (people usually keep it in their wallet) when you are driving a car.

Each state in the U.S. or province in Canada has a different procedure for obtaining a driver’s licence, but most follow the same pattern. When you turn 16 you can apply for a learner’s permit. Your eyesight is tested and you need to take a written test about the rules of the road. A learner’s permit is not a full driver’s licence. Each state or province has different rules, but usually a learner’s permit allows you to drive a car as long as there is an experienced driver (with a valid driver’s licence) in the car. To get your full driver’s licence you need to pass a road test where you must demonstrate that you know how to drive a car safely.

When you drive a car, you want to avoid getting a ticket or getting in a car accident. You can get a ticket for speeding (driving too fast), running a red light (driving through the intersection when the traffic light is red), not wearing a seat belt, or a variety of other infractions. Most of the time, when you get a ticket you will have to pay a fine. A DUI (you may hear this often in American TV shows and movies) is shorthand for ‘a DUI arrest,’ which means someone has been arrested for ‘driving under the influence’ of drugs or alcohol. This is a serious offence (a crime/illegal act). If you are arrested for DUI, you will most likely lose your licence or go to jail.

There are different types of car accidents: one car crashes into another car; a car crashes into a tree or other non-moving object; a car hits a pedestrian (someone walking across the road or on a sidewalk near the road). A head-on collision is when the front of one car hits the front of another car coming from the opposite direction. A pileup is when multiple cars crash into each other, usually on a highway.

In most states and provinces you will need to renew your licence throughout your lifetime. In Ontario I have to renew my licence every 5 years. I have to go to the Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office, pay a fee, and get a new picture taken.

If you follow the rules of the road, drive safely, avoid getting in an accident, and renew your licence when required, you will be able to keep driving for many years!