Drivers License/ Health Card and Moving Provinces

[twentytwo]

Hi everyone,

I am somebody who moved provinces for medical school, yet kept my home province license/health card due to the fact that I was a student. I am now moving to a different province for residency. I was unclear about if residents are still considered students and if I can keep my home province license/health card especially if I plan on returning back there after residency, or is it better to switch and then switch back as I am up for a  renewal next year anyway? Appreciate the help! 

[twentytwo]

bump! would love some advice!

[MedicineLCS]

Currently pondering this and decided (at least as an Ontario student) the rules for Ontario seem to indicate switching is the best idea:

"If a student will be living or carrying on business in Ontario for more
than six consecutive months in any calendar year then they must apply
for a driver's licence within 60 days of taking up residence in Ontario.
Also, the vehicle must be registered in Ontario within 30 days when the
student takes up residence."

Some provinces are apparently looser because I remember a friend who was BC>Alberta kept her plates and license. Your mileage may vary. Now, the caveat here is even if you were able to keep your out of province plates/license, what does your insurance company think about this? If they find out the car they're insuring is nowhere near the "home" address they might have some "ideas" about any claims you file. Run it by them first. 

Also, speaking as someone who has had to access clinics and imaging with an out of province health card, the system is a joke, we don't have national medical care, we have a bunch of loosely organized systems that really, really, hate working with each other. Something to think about. 

[Bambi]

K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid) - switch!

If you don't, you will definitely have problems with collecting on car insurance if there is an accident. Policies normally have a limit of time for car being in a different province, you don't need to punish yourself for a simple solution.

[twentytwo]

Makes sense, thanks guys! Will be switching then.