Any canadians here have info about getting a US driver's license?

[Yomtl 0]

Hi!

I am currently going through the K1 visa process and I was wondering if some canadians here know what the procedure would be for me to obtain a US driver's license once I move to the US (I have a canadian driver's license)? Would I have to retake any tests?

Thanks!!

Yohann

[Cassie 8]

It depends on the state.

I live in Oklahoma. Since I had a valid Canadian DL at the time, I only had to complete the visual test, and give up my Canadian DL.

Other states require written, driving, and visual, or combinations of the three. What state will you be moving to? That will help us help you better.

Edited March 8, 2008 by Cassie

[Yomtl 0]

I would be moving to Florida.

[Flames9_RN 358]

im sure the Floridians will chime in!! Probably still sleeping, they are a relaxed bunch!! until then check out DMV.org, or do a search on VJ, I know it has been brought up in the past. best of luck

[David_n_Amber 3]

in Illinois, all i have to do is take a written test and an eye test to get my license here.. (its pretty much like taking your learners exam) lol

[Emancipation 2]

I would be moving to Florida.

Luckie ducky!!!!

I know the Floridians will chime in here later, but I do believe it's quite straightforward in FL due to all the Snowbirds.. they are pretty CDN licence friendly from what I've read!!

You will probably need proof of residency though (some type of mail that is delivered to a FL address - bill, statement etc).. so you could work on that ahead of time! I used my SSN card and envelope, and a bank statement I believe here in CT.

Edited March 8, 2008 by Emancipation

[Krikit 1,165]

Easy peasey in Florida for Canadians. (Yeah, I was in bed, guys. We didn't get in until early this morning after a wild flight.)

Yomtl, go to the Florida DMV site for a little bit of light reading, and make an appointment at your closest office online. Since you are immigrating you will need to show them the I-797 receipt notice from your AOS. (Other Canadians can just apply and get it.) Until that time you can drive around on your Canadian license. I think there's an old post here of mine, somewhere, talking about it. Don't have time to look at the moment but feel free. Also feel free to ask me any questions.

Basically it's a straight exchange..... you just show them your Canadian license and they issue you a Florida license. No tests involved; no trading in of licenses. (In other words, you get to keep your Canadian license... unlike some States who make you turn it in.) You can thank the snowbirds for that one.

Edited March 8, 2008 by Crikey!

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

Easy peasey in Florida for Canadians. (Yeah, I was in bed, guys. We didn't get in until early this morning after a wild flight.)

Yomtl, go to the Florida DMV site for a little bit of light reading, and make an appointment at your closest office online. Since you are immigrating you will need to show them the I-797 receipt notice from your AOS. (Other Canadians can just apply and get it.) Until that time you can drive around on your Canadian license. I think there's an old post here of mine, somewhere, talking about it. Don't have time to look at the moment but feel free. Also feel free to ask me any questions.

Basically it's a straight exchange..... you just show them your Canadian license and they issue you a Florida license. No tests involved; no trading in of licenses. (In other words, you get to keep your Canadian license... unlike some States who make you turn it in.) You can thank the snowbirds for that one.

Lucky!!

I read on the NJ website I have to give mine up. That blows!

I can't drive around with it? sigh....

I don't want to give my Canadian one up!!!

BOO HOO!

What if I move back home? Then what??? Will I have to start all over again?

[Krikit 1,165]

Lucky!!

I read on the NJ website I have to give mine up. That blows!

I can't drive around with it? sigh....

I don't want to give my Canadian one up!!!

BOO HOO!

What if I move back home? Then what??? Will I have to start all over again?

Tell them you are required to turn it in to the Canadian DMV so you need it back. Tell them they have no authority or jurisdiction to confiscate another country's property. Try Carla's trick of sneaking it off the counter while they're otherwise occupied. Do what you can to keep it. If they do take it, go to the Canadian DMV and report it lost.

The guy at the Canadian passport office told me to keep my Ontario license renewed no matter what. (He's an immigrant from France.) He said it is much harder to have to go about getting a new one than it is to maintain the current one. I envision moving back home, also, and I do not want to have to go through the same ####### there that I'm going through here. Enough is enough.

[Gypsyangel 11]

Hey Laura,

I was wondering about NJ too. I found the following link that says new residents have to give up their foreign licenses but that temporary residents / non-citizens don't have to give up their licenses. I'm not sure where permanent residents, but non-citizens fall. You might be able to show them this page (with the line at the bottom) and at least confuse them into letting them keep your licence!

http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Licenses/LicensesNon-Citizens.htm

[Karly-n-Bruce 0]

Lucky!!

I read on the NJ website I have to give mine up. That blows!

I can't drive around with it? sigh....

I don't want to give my Canadian one up!!!

BOO HOO!

What if I move back home? Then what??? Will I have to start all over again?

Tell them you are required to turn it in to the Canadian DMV so you need it back. Tell them they have no authority or jurisdiction to confiscate another country's property. Try Carla's trick of sneaking it off the counter while they're otherwise occupied. Do what you can to keep it. If they do take it, go to the Canadian DMV and report it lost.

The guy at the Canadian passport office told me to keep my Ontario license renewed no matter what. (He's an immigrant from France.) He said it is much harder to have to go about getting a new one than it is to maintain the current one. I envision moving back home, also, and I do not want to have to go through the same ####### there that I'm going through here. Enough is enough.

My Canadian license expired in July '07 (I still have it) and I thought about renewing it if/when we head up in May. For those of you who have renewed your Canadian licenses since immigrating to the US, what address do you have on it? I wouldn't think they'd allow you to put your US address on it so basically you'd have to lie, right?

[Krikit 1,165]

Hey Laura,

I was wondering about NJ too. I found the following link that says new residents have to give up their foreign licenses but that temporary residents / non-citizens don't have to give up their licenses. I'm not sure where permanent residents, but non-citizens fall. You might be able to show them this page (with the line at the bottom) and at least confuse them into letting them keep your licence!

http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Licenses/LicensesNon-Citizens.htm

Kudos to Gypsyangel for an inspired workaround suggestion.

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

Sweet!

Thanks guys!!!

I'm going to try everything I can to keep it.

[MissStacey 1]

For me in Louisiana- I have to take the written and the driving exam. I have the book to study and have been procrastinating about it. I think I am more nervous about it now than I was a teen getting my license for the first time.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I know what you mean - I had to do the same in Georgia. I only missed one question on the written - and that was about how soon I had to notify them of changing an address on the license - I put the out of state answer rather than the in state answer (which was actually more generous!) and did perfect on the driving test. If you have been driving for a while, you will be fine. Good luck.