Moving to Quebec for next summer, need motorcycle advice.

N

Newblet

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I know the summer is far from now but I want to start figuring this out now.

I am moving to Quebec at the end of April until September for work and have a few questions that their MTO website couldn't answer at a quick glance. Here is the website for those who care http://www.saaq.gouv.qc.ca/en/vehicle_registration/index.php

At the moment I am not interested in trading my Ontario license for a Quebec license as I have a feeling when I come back to Ontario and re-trade, insurance will somehow screw me as a 'new driver' or someone with a 'lapse in licensing' [If I am wrong please tell me].

So I plan on keeping my Ontario license and crappy car with an Ontario plate. I have visited the town that I will be living in and the roads around it are freakin' awesome so I wanted to ship or trailer my bike there. I then figured it wouldn't be worth it because 1) It's a CBR 125r and to my understanding it is not allowed on Quebec highways [something to due with it being just shy of 125CCs which is required for Quebec highways] and 2) well, it's a 125r, I love it but it might not be worth the trouble

So, what are my options? Can I purchase a bike in Quebec as an Ontario residence and register it there and get a Quebec plate and insurance? OR, Do I purchase a bike in Quebec and then cross back over with the details and get an Ontario plate and insurance? or am I totally SOL?

NOTEs: I will have a fixed address in Quebec and I will not be living out of a hotel. I don't think I am required to swap my license for theirs as I will be there for less than 6 months. I will be there for a week in February and this means I will have a shot at purchasing a cheap bike off season and storing it there until the summer.


Thanks.

Bonus: here is a list of bikes Quebec has deemed high risk, http://www.saaq.gouv.qc.ca/en/vehicle_registration/temporary_motorcycle_list.php

Seems a heck of a lot smaller than Ontario insurance companies surcharged/blacklist.
 
You can purchase a bike in Quebec and transfer the ownership to Ontario without issue. Do a search, there are a few threads on this topic.
To register the bike in Quebec I would imagine you would need a Quebec license. Understandably, you are not interested in this. For 6 months isn't not worth the hassle.
 
As a guy who lives on the border of Ontario and Quebec...here are some thoughts.

1) If your vehicles remain registered/insured in Ontario, it doesn't matter if it doesn't meet Quebec requirements (ie, Quebec cars are legally required to have Snows in the winter, Ontario cars driving in Quebec are not).
2) Depending on where in Quebec you are, be prepared to be "watched" because of your Ontario plates (happens all the time when a group of us (Ont/QC plates) ride). Stories of Ontario registered cars/bikes being ticketed while QC cars/bikes aren't are common.

As far as needing a Quebec license the attached link would seem to indicate you don't as long as you are there for less than 6 mths http://www.saaq.gouv.qc.ca/en/driver_licence/exchange/residents_canada.php I do think however it would be important to check with your insurance company to make sure you are covered. Do you have an Ontario address you can consider your permanent address (parents/sibling/etc)?
 
Thanks for the replies.

I will call my insurance company and see if they will cover me and hopefully lower my insurance since I will be FAR from the GTA. And yes I do have a permanent Ontario address but will also have an address [that is not a hotel] in Quebec.

Anyone else want to chime in? or have an experience with this sort of thing? What about swapping licenses to Quebec then back to Ontario? anyone done that?

Again, the SAAQ website is good but doesn't answer all my questions.

Cheers
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