Frequently Asked Vehicle Buying Questions at Lally Kia
The excitement of a brand new home can often feel outweighed by the stresses that come with it: paring down and sorting belongings, packing, routing your moving company, applying for new IDs, as well as starting from zero with brand new bank accounts and a non-existent credit score… It’s a lot! To top it all off, Canada has plenty of unmissable sights to see, and with its crowded and unreliable transit, expensive fares for long-distance journeys, and the unpredictability of the elements, you’re going to want a reliable way to get around sooner than later. Ready to get informed? Your Canadian driving journey starts here! Keep reading to find out everything from how to get a Canadian driver’s license, to financing your dream vehicle.
For more information about financing your Kia, visit Kia.ca.
How to Get a Canadian Driving License?
Before you can consider buying a car, you’ll need a government-issued Canadian driver’s license. As long as this is valid and with you, you can drive anywhere in Canada. There are a couple of ways you can go about getting one:
Apply For a New License
When applying for a brand new Canadian driver’s license, a good place to start is your provincial government’s website. This will outline the necessary requirements and documents needed to start your application, as well as where to submit it. The process may differ depending on your driving background and province, but you’ll likely need to write an exam and take one or two driving tests.
Already Have a Driver’s License?
Depending on your driving history and where you’re relocating from, you may be eligible to exchange your existing driver’s license for a Canadian one. While you organize this change, you can use your existing license up to 60 days after you move.
Once you’ve got your Canadian driver’s license, don’t forget to keep an eye on the expiry date written on your license. You’ll need to renew it every few years to keep it valid.
Buying a Car in Canada: Where to Start
This stage is exciting, but can quickly get overwhelming and can lead to serious buyer’s remorse without the proper research. Before you think about buying, it’s best to plan ahead and outline your needs and expectations. Don’t worry if this sounds daunting–the team at Lally Kia is here to lay things out step by step so you can enjoy your vehicle to the fullest!
Define Your Budget
It’s very common for drivers in Canada to take out a loan or negotiate a payment plan that they can pay off in more manageable, monthly installments. Down payments are also a big help if it’s inside of your budget, as you can offset the interest accrued on your loan by immediately lowering the amount that you owe.
Before you begin shopping for a vehicle, here are some important questions to consider:
- Are you looking for a new or used vehicle?
- Do you have a preference towards gas, hybrid, or electric?
- What’s your credit score like?
- How long will you be in Canada? Are you on a temporary work visa or applying for permanent residence? Depending on your situation, a long or short term loan might suit you better. As well, you’ll be better off buying or leasing depending on if you’re staying a short while or making a life here long-term.
- How much are you comfortable paying monthly on top of gas, insurance, and maintenance costs?
Getting to Know Your Credit
You can establish or strengthen your credit score by paying bills and using credit cards, but some finance departments may have alternative finance options available for drivers with no/low credit scores. The higher your credit, the more reliable you’ll seem to a lender, and you’ll be more likely to bag yourself a loan with a lower interest rate.
“Hard” and “Soft” are two types of credit checks you’ll encounter when applying for loans and financing. The main difference is that a hard credit score can temporarily lower your credit score, whereas a soft credit score will not.
Research Vehicles and Vendors
We advise that you try visiting dealership websites to get a feel for their business identity, their available vehicle types, and the various features of each model. Dealerships with model research pages that list vehicle highlights and specifications are especially useful here, as you can explore a brand’s entire range in a relatively short amount of time. Customer reviews are another reliable way to learn more about a vehicle’s quality and the trustworthiness of a dealership, as they are completely unbiased and based on the experiences of real shoppers.
When looking at vehicles, new models are definitely a tempting option because of their availability, cutting-edge technology, and customizable trim levels. However, pre-owned are also sensible options, so long as they have a clean history with no accidents. Try thinking about aspects like:
- Which models have the best fuel economy? Lower numbers mean lower fuel consumption, which means you’ll spend less time and money refilling the tank.
- Which manufacturers have the best warranty plans? For example, take a look at Kia’s warranty by visiting Kia.ca and you’ll see that Kia vehicles have powertrain coverage for 5 years/100,000 km. That’s highly competitive protection that will keep you covered in the event of powertrain failure for years to come.
- How big is the vehicle’s interior? That is, how many passengers can it seat and how much cargo does it hold?
- How much can the vehicle tow?
Don’t forget to keep an eye out for any end of year sales, manufacturer offers, and inventory clearance to bag yourself the best deal!
How to Get Car Insurance in Canada?
Once you’ve picked out your vehicle, you need to get it insured before you can legally drive it. Insurance will protect you, your passengers, your vehicle, and others in the event of an accident, so shop around to get the most complete coverage at the best rate. You will likely need to undergo a credit score check to get pre-approved for a car loan, but this isn’t always the case. Some lenders can perform credit checks internationally, which is great for newcomers to Canada who haven’t had the chance to build a credit score yet. Make sure to compare offers to find the best rate, and research vendors thoroughly to ensure they’re properly trained, licensed, and qualified so you’re not left out of pocket if you need to make a complaint or a claim.
Looking For Your First Vehicle? Try Lally Kia!
All that’s left to do is register your vehicle with your provincial government! Check your provincial/territorial website to find out how to do this, and you’re ready to hit the road.
Still looking for your perfect vehicle? How about premium reliability at an accessible price? Fill out the form below to book a test drive at Lally Kia and let us help you narrow down the choice! From cars to SUVs, our range of new and used Kia vehicles cover everything from solo travels to family road trips. We also offer a range of compatible parts and accessories to help you get the most out of your vehicle, and can fix up your drive with a range of automotive services that will keep your Kia in good health for years to come!
For more information about financing your Kia, visit Kia.ca.