Expat Auto Leasing and Rental Canada

Get the car you need for your everyday life or next adventure!

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Expatriates can get a car without a Canadian credit history or Canadian driver's license*

You can arrange for your car before or after you move to Canada. ExpatRide together with our Canadian partner provides expat car financing (lease and purchase) for used and new cars to foreign professionals or businesses without a Canadian credit history.

Personal car shopper service a free destination support service

With the “Personal Car Shopper Service”, you will get intercultural advice from a knowledgeable and skilled contact person who perfectly knows the expatriate auto market in Canada.

* Canadian driver’s license not required in most provinces

New Cars for Foreign Professionals

Let your Personal Car Specialist assist you with locating the right car for you.

Expat Auto Leasing?

Leasing from 24 months and up depending on the vehicle for qualifying expatriates.

Auto Insurance

Get competitively priced insurance for expats. No Canadian driver’s license needed to set up coverage.

Car Rentals for foreign professionals

Rentals are from 1 day up to 12 months. The rental car program covers 175 countries globally.

What it Takes and Costs to Lease a Car in Canada

We developed a lease program specifically tailored for the needs of expatriates.

Program Details

No Canadian driver’s license needed in most provinces. Complete contact form below to get started.

  • Nationwide Expat Auto Leasing program
  • Start building your Canadian credit score
  • New cars
  • Expat Auto Insurance assistance

Finance Details

  • Finance period 24 – 60 months
  • 7 – 9 days from signature to delivery
  • Insurance assistance

We are not able to offer lease for students or retired individuals. We also cannot to assist with vehicles obtained through private sellers.

How to Apply

The following documents are required to apply:

  • Completed finance application
  • Copy of passport with photo and work visa
  • Copy of valid driver’s license
  • Letter of employment stating salary, term and allowances

Payments

Payment due at delivery consists of:

  • Registration fee and taxes
  • Lease inception fee (bank fee)
  • First full month finance payment
  • Down payment may be required. Subject to credit review

Tell us what type of car you want, and we will find it for you nationwide

We arrange rentals and leases in all cities and provinces: Toronto, Ontario – Montreal, Quebec – Vancouver, British Columbia – Calgary, Alberta – Edmonton, Alberta – Ottawa–Gatineau, Ontario/Quebec – Winnipeg, Manitoba – Quebec City, Quebec – Hamilton, Ontario – Kitchener, Ontario – London, Ontario – Victoria, British Columbia – Halifax, Nova Scotia – Oshawa, Ontario – Windsor, Ontario – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – St. Catharines–Niagara, Ontario – Regina, Saskatchewan – St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador – Kelowna, British Columbia and many more cities…

Download our Canada brochure

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is a Canadian credit score needed to lease a car through ExpatRide?

    No. At ExpatRide we work around the Canadian credit system. To do so, we need some documents from the expatriate (passport, work visa, employment contract, etc.,) to build a credit profile for lease approval.

  • Do you offer used vehicles for lease?

    No, we currently only offer new vehicles for lease.

  • Is a Canadian driver’s license needed to lease a car?

    Yes, a provincial driver’s license is needed to sign a lease agreement.

  • Can someone lease a car under the age of 25?

    Yes. The minimum age to lease a car in Canada is 18 years old. Keep in mind, insurance most likely will be higher.

  • Can a relocation company pay for the lease on behalf of the expatriate?

    Unfortunately, no. The monthly lease payments must be paid directly from the expatriate’s Canadian bank account.

  • What is the estimated delivery time for a lease car?

    Once a vehicle has been chosen and all required documents have been submitted, it takes approximately 1-2 weeks to receive the vehicle.

  • What happens if the lease car needs to be returned earlier?

    A lease contract in Canada is a closed-end contract. If the car is returned earlier, the remaining months on the agreed lease term must be paid.

  • Is insurance included with the lease?

    No. Insurance is a separate product, and not included in the monthly lease estimates. Our Leasing Specialists can offer guidance if needed.

  • Will the expatriate build credit by leasing a car?

    Yes. The lease approvals come directly from the manufacturers themselves, therefore monthly payments are reported to Canadians credit bureaus. Leasing a vehicle and paying on time is one of the strongest ways to build good credit quickly.

  • Do you offer company car lease in Canada?

    Yes, we can help with company lease as well. Please note that the company needs to be well-established in Canada.

Practical Information on Driving in Canada

Alcohol & Driving

Don’t do it! Driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) is a serious offense in Canada and can result in a driving suspension, vehicle impounding, or arrest. Canada’s blood alcohol standards are very strict. It is a criminal offense to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent.

Kids in Cars

Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act requires children weighing 18 kg to 36 kg (40 to 80 lb.), standing less than 145 cm (4 ft. 9 in.) tall and who are under the age of 8 to use a booster seat or allows the continued use of a forward-facing seat as long as the car seat manufacturer recommends its use.

Documentation

You need a valid driver’s license and proof of auto insurance to drive a car in Canada.

Minimum Age

Canada’s driving age is determined on a province-by-province basis. The age to begin learning is 16 in most provinces. The notable exception is Alberta, where a Learner’s Permit may be obtained at 14 years of age.

Auto Insurance for expatriates

Car insurance is required by law in Canada and all drivers must have third party liability insurance. The minimum amount of liability insurance in the country is $200,000, except in Quebec where it is $50,000.

Phone & Driving

Cellular devices must be used “hands-free” when driving

Seat Belts

All provinces in Canada have primary enforcement seat belt laws.

Speed Limit

In most provinces and territories, statutory speed limits are as follows:
Urban areas: 50 km/h (31 mph)
Rural areas: 80 km/h (50 mph)
Most grade-separated freeways: 100 km/h (62 mph) or 110 km/h (68 mph)

Driver's License

If you have a valid license from your home country, you will probably be able to use this to drive in Canada for a short time after you arrive. Check with the government of your province or territory for details.
If you plan to use a foreign driver’s license in Canada, you should get an International Driving Permit (IDP) in your home country. An International License will give you a translation of your license into French and English.

How to Exchange your foreign driver’s license to a Canadian Driver’s License

Depending on which country you are from, you may be able to simply exchange your foreign license for a driver license in Canada without the need to sit any road tests. However, many newcomers to Canada need to sit a theory test and road test before they can obtain a Canadian driving license, even if they already have years of driving experience outside Canada.

Licenses issued in another province or territory in Canada may also be exchanged for the relevant provincial license. All provincial/territorial jurisdictions have different regulations, so refer to the relevant jurisdiction for details. To exchange a driving license, it is generally necessary to:

• Complete an eye test
• Provide a valid driving license (if this is not in English or French, it may need to be translated)
• Show proof of identity
• Provide proof of address (for example a utility bill)
• Pay a fee
• It may also be necessary to complete a knowledge test if the person has been driving for less than two years

Reciprocity Agreements

If you have a driver’s license from a jurisdiction with License Exchange Agreement, you can benefit from this privilege.

The type of license you can get depends on how much driving experience you have. You follow the same process as drivers with a license from another Canadian province and from Canadian Forces – Europe.

Note: Information may not be up-to-date. Please check official government information for latest laws and regulations.

Read more on the website below:

How to exchange your driver’s license

We finance most makes and models nationwide

We offer the following car brands and any other car brand available in Canada

"So responsive and a pleasure to deal with"

– Neil from Britain, Ford Explorer

"I highly recommend ExpatRide for anybody looking for a car after making the big move!"

– Andreas from Denmark, Audi A4

”Thanks for all your help to make it (the delivery) happen. I'm really happy with the vehicle, it's perfect.”

- Roberto from Brazil, Ford Mustang

”The service we received was amazing! Out of everything we've had to do with our move overseas, getting our new car was the easiest and most stress-free."

We are here to assist!

    • Start process before or after arrival to Canada
    • Nationwide expat program
    • We can source any make and model
    • Personal Car Shopper Service (free service) - saves time and hassle with visiting dealers
    • Competitive interest rate
    • Assistance throughout the term in regards to registration, renewals, etc.
    • Access to nationwide maintenance program
    • Several options at end of lease: Renew, change to purchase, pay off, return or exchange