There are many ways to get from one place to another in Peel region. You can take a bus, a train or a taxi to travel across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). After you are here, spend some time exploring the public transportation system in Peel and around the GTA.

Cars and driver's licence

Using a car is the quickest and a convenient way to get around Peel. You are legally required to carry your driver's licence and car insurance to be able to drive in Canada.

Driver's licence 

Any new resident with a driver's licence from another province or country must apply to get an Ontario driver’s licence within 60 days of moving to the province.

DriveTest.ca has information about getting your driver's licence, out of country drivers, licence types, driving exams, and more.

Previous driving experience

Your previous driving experience will be considered when you apply for an Ontario licence. So, it is recommended that you get a copy of your driving history from your home country’s licencing authority and/or insurance provider. Having the appropriate documentation (including the actual licence itself) ready when you arrive will help when you are applying for a driver licence in Canada. Documentation should be in English or French. But if you cannot show acceptable proof of your driving experience, you will be considered a new driver and must start at licence Class G1.

Driving lessons

If you are a first-time driver or a new driver in Canada, you may want to take some driving lessons. Lessons will help you pass the test and lower your insurance rate if you show proof of taking driving lessons.

Car insurance

It is the law that all cars must be insured and registered with your provincial or territorial government. Car insurance can be expensive, but it protects you and other drivers in case of an accident.

You can get different types of car insurance plans, including coverage for either or both:

  • injuries to yourself and damage to your car or
  • the costs of damages and injury to others if you’re at fault in an accident

Your car insurance cost depends on the plan you choose and your:

  • age
  • driving record
  • driving experience
  • living location

The cost also varies among insurance companies. For this reason, you should:

  • Shop around and get details about the price of the insurance plans 
  • make sure you understand what each plan covers
  • Choose the insurance coverage that meets your needs

The Insurance Bureau of Canada can provide you with information about car insurance in Ontario.

Other Resources

  • Insurance Canada - provides information about different types of insurance and links to providers.
  • Understanding Automobile Insurance - provides information about automobile insurance policy, including all the components of the coverage. It can also help you find and purchase the insurance coverage that best meets your needs.
  • Settlement.org - provides information on how automobile insurance works

Buying a car

When you buy a car, it is a good idea to research the car market first. Gather as much information as you can about the kind of car you need and make a list of things you must check in a car before buying it.

The Ministry of Consumer and Government Services has more information on how to protect you when buying or selling a used or a new car.

Peel has many car dealerships that sell used and new cars. All of these dealerships have options to help you finance your new car. Factors to consider:

  • Size/ type of car
  • Model and make
  • Cost
  • Gas mileage

For more details on the things you need to be aware of when buying or selling a car including car insurance and car financing visit:

Car Safety for Children

If you have small children, it is important to know that in Ontario there are special laws for transporting children in cars. These laws are meant to protect children in case of car accidents.

All children under the age of eight years old must sit in a car seat when travelling in a car. All car seats must be placed in the back seat of a car. Visit this page to discover the appropriate child car seats for your baby, toddler, or small child, and learn how to properly install them for their safety.

Ontario law forbids smoking in cars that are carrying children under 16 years old.

Transit

If you do not have access to a car, you can still get around Peel and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) using public and other modes of transportation.

This can be time-consuming, as you may have to change buses or transfer to a subway or GO train. Spend some time in your first few days here exploring the public transportation system in Peel and around the GTA.

Use the trip planner on transit websites or call the transit system to get a detailed trip itinerary that tells you the fare, where and what time to catch your bus, where to get off and transfer, how long your trip will take, walking directions and more.

Trip planners:

Caledon offers a door to door transit service throughout Caledon. Caledon Community Services (CCS) transportation is available seven days a week for Caledon residents who are 60 years or older, have a disability; require dialysis or a temporary medical need.

A new transportation program offers rides to and from health and wellness programs for people ages 8 years to 59 years old.

PRESTO card

PRESTO is a reloadable smartcard that can be used to pay for your trip when you travel on Mississauga, Brampton or GO transit. It is an easy way to get around Peel and Greater Toronto area (GTA) without buying paper tickets. Each time you board a train or a bus, you tap it on the PRESTO reader and the system calculates the fare for your trip and subtracts it from the balance on your card. You will need to add at least $10 to your PRESTO card when buying or reloading it.

PRESTO cards are sold at all GO stations or you can get it by calling 1-877-378-123 or buy online.

Affordable Transit Program

If you live in Brampton or Mississauga and you can't afford a monthly bus pass, you can apply for an affordable transit pass. Region of Peel offer a 50% discount off the regular cost of a monthly bus pass to eligible residents. There is no discount available in Caledon at this time.

Underground trains (subway)

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) subway is located in Toronto, a short trip from Mississauga. Mississauga Transit has a bus that will take you directly to the Islington subway station. Once you are on the subway line, you can travel easily around the City of Toronto. For more information on the subway system including fares, maps, schedules and routes, visit:

GO transit

GO Transit is a public transportation system with trains and buses to take you from cities in Peel and across the GTA. There are several GO Stations located in Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon.

Assistance for Travelers with Disabilities

TransHelp is a transit service for people living in Peel who regularly use a wheelchair due to functional mobility problems, or are physically unable to board public transit vehicles.

Taxis

You can call a taxi company and ask them to pick you up at any address. You can also ask them to pick you up at a specific time.

To find a taxi cab, check the local Yellow Pages Directory under "Taxis" (Mississauga or Brampton). You may be asked for the passenger's name, pickup address, the address where you are going and the number of the telephone that you are calling from.

You can also flag a taxi on the street. Stand on the sidewalk and wave at a taxi that has no passengers in it as it comes towards you. Only a car with a lighted roof sign will stop for passengers on the street.

The price for the trip appears on a meter in the front beside the driver. The meter will display a minimum charge when you get in the car. You can ask the taxi company how much the trip will cost when you call, or you can ask the driver before you get in the car.

Taxi service is more expensive than public transportation.

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