when to get State driver License?

[JustBreathe 22]

I am wondering how long I can use my Ontario Drivers License before I have to get a state issued one?

Is it ok to wait until after AOS is approved?

[Stubby and Rio 4]

Check the State DMV regulations that you are moving to. In NYS I have 30 days from my date of residency to give up my Ontario DL and obtain NYS DL....In Texas I will have 90 days to obtain a Texas DL from the date of residency. You will have to check the State Regulation you are moving to.

[thegordons2009 1]

and just FYI.....I am from Ontario and moved to PA....I was driving my Canadian (ontario plated car and Ontario Drivers license) and was pulled over for speeding....The officer told me that they could Hold me in custody until I was able to pay the fine...not sure how truthful that is...but thought it was worth mentioning

[NikLR 13,227]

It's a line.

But you do need to check for each state what you need and where you need to go. For instance, not every DMV in my area deals with driver's licenses. I have to go to a special DMV.

[A & C 22]

When I got my KY state DL I was given the biggest run around. By the time I actually got it I was ready to lay the smack down. Lol! First off online it says that you don't need to take an exam, but really you actually have to do a written exam. I got my KY DL about a month and a half after being here. As far as I know, in KY you can drive with your Canadian DL for up to a year. But to be added to car insurance to make sure you are covered when driving you do need a state license. Car insurance in KY is ridiculous because they are still 1 of 5 states that have this 'no fault' law, which means insurance is pretty expensive. When I got my license I had to have a piece of mail saying I live here, my greencard or passport with visa in it and my SS card.

[Stubby and Rio 4]

When I got my KY state DL I was given the biggest run around. By the time I actually got it I was ready to lay the smack down. Lol! First off online it says that you don't need to take an exam, but really you actually have to do a written exam. I got my KY DL about a month and a half after being here. As far as I know, in KY you can drive with your Canadian DL for up to a year. But to be added to car insurance to make sure you are covered when driving you do need a state license. Car insurance in KY is ridiculous because they are still 1 of 5 states that have this 'no fault' law, which means insurance is pretty expensive. When I got my license I had to have a piece of mail saying I live here, my greencard or passport with visa in it and my SS card.

So I take it you did not tell your Canadian Insurance company your change of address right away ? I am struggling with this one; i will move to NYS and commute to Hamilton Ont for 5 weeks then move to Texas in November...THEN I was going to change my DL and Insurance....if something happens I would not want to be denied coverage.....

[JustBreathe 22]

just an FYI for people-

I went and got my KY drivers license- no issues at all.

Just went there with my marriage cert., passport/visa, I-94, and my SSN and they issued me one. No tests, no exams.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

So I take it you did not tell your Canadian Insurance company your change of address right away ? I am struggling with this one; i will move to NYS and commute to Hamilton Ont for 5 weeks then move to Texas in November...THEN I was going to change my DL and Insurance....if something happens I would not want to be denied coverage.....

Just a point that insurance companies always do their homework and investigate heavily if they have to pay anything out (ie you had an accident while in NYS)- they will be able to obtain your residency status at the time of your accident and when they find out that you are officially moved out of ON to NYS they would take your coverage on the policy back to that date - denial of coverage...so you would essentially be an uninsured driver while in NYS - I'd find out the details before risking anything like that.

[Ms Hogan 295]

Every state is different. I had to do an actual driving exam!! Ha!

All I needed for paperwork was something that had my name on it already (husband had added me to cable bill months before I moved) and the stamp in my passport would have sufficed but I already had my green card by the time I went so it was easy.

I'm on Ohio and I believe it was 30 days. I did it right away anyway.

My husband added me and my Ontario car to his insurance policy several months before I moved. That saved me a lot of money on the rates in Ontario and I was fully covered. Maybe this is something you can do?

[Stubby and Rio 4]

Just a point that insurance companies always do their homework and investigate heavily if they have to pay anything out (ie you had an accident while in NYS)- they will be able to obtain your residency status at the time of your accident and when they find out that you are officially moved out of ON to NYS they would take your coverage on the policy back to that date - denial of coverage...so you would essentially be an uninsured driver while in NYS - I'd find out the details before risking anything like that.

I agree....a couple of weeks ago we called my husbands US carrier and they added me to the policy as a new car transfer...even though I do not have my Texas State plates/license yet...the coverage begins when the Ontario coverage ends....30 days from POE...this will give me time to get my Texas plates / license when we arrive Nov 6th....it is definitely not worth the risk