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

[Krikit 1,165]

Then she asked if I wanted a FL State only license (this is the one where you can keep your Ontario license) <---- I went with this one

OR

The FL license which is recognized in all other States (this is the one where they take your Ontario license).

Printed out a piece of paper and said this was my temporary driver's license and that my FL State license should arrive in a week or so.

Hope this helps!

so basically you cant drive in any other states?

good choice

Earmuffs, is there some reason why you insist on being so offensive? Can you step back from yourself for a minute and have a little think about others having the ability to make their own life choices, based on their own life situations, using their own personal information that they have at hand and you do not, before you post, please? Thank you.

T.O_2_FL, I wasn't aware there were two types of licenses in Florida. I know my local DMV hadn't said anything to me about it. I rented a car in Denver and gave them my Florida license and they were fine with that. I've just received the renewal notice in the mail so I'll be sure to ask them when I go down there.

[Marilyn. 340]

I just wanted tp put this out there about the IDP....

http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/scams/license.asp

************************

http://www.drunkdrivingdefense.com/nationa...ers-license.htm

International Drivers Licenses are a SCAM!

WisDOT cautions drivers; international driver's license is a fraud

*It should not be confused with an International Driving Permit (IDP) which can be purchased from an automobile association

April 30, 2002

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) warns drivers that international driver's licenses do not exist. They are a scam. Any individual or company trying to sell them should be avoided. Claims regarding these non-existent, worthless documents are many and are increasing on the Internet. Be wary of claims such as:

Need a new driver's license? Too many points or other license trouble? Want a license that can never be suspended or revoked? Want ID for nightclubs or hotel check-in? Avoid tickets, fines and mandatory driver's education. Protect your privacy, and hide your identity. Take advantage of your rights. Order a valid International Driver's License that can never be suspended or revoked. Confidentiality assured. Call now!

Division of Motor Vehicles Administrator Roger Cross points out, "This scam is all the more confusing because something called an International Driving Permit does exist." International Driving Permits (IDPs) may be purchased for $10 from an automobile association authorized by the U.S. Department of State. At this point, only the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance are authorized distributors. IDPs are honored in more than 150 countries outside the United States and function as a legal identification document that translates U.S. driver's license information into 11 foreign languages. An IDP is not a replacement for a valid U.S. state license and should only be used as a supplement nor is it valid in an individual's country of residence. A driver would only need an IDP if visiting a country that doesn't recognize a driver's license from the United States or renting a car from a company that requires one.

Cross further stated, "In a time when valid forms of identity are of increased importance, we want to ensure that our customers have all the facts. An international driver's license is a scam. An International Driving Permit is not."

Edited March 24, 2008 by MarilynP

[Amy and Brian 1]

Here in Ohio you need to take the written and driving test to switch out your license. I'm so not happy about that! I went awhile back to do the switch, thinking I only had to take the written test, and afterward was told by the BMV official (yes... B... Ohio is weird) that Canada was not on their "list" of countries who can just switch out licenses. Apparently Germany and Japan are on this special list... but not Canada, who's roads actually travel over the border

As for keeping a Canadian license... I'm not sure what the point would be. Unless things have changed, in Ontario at least it is really rather simple to get a license back if you were to move there again. I lived in Texas for three years and got my first license there... when I moved back to Ontario to live they switched my Texas license out for a full G license without any tests at all.

[warlord 73]

Then she asked if I wanted a FL State only license (this is the one where you can keep your Ontario license) <---- I went with this one

OR

The FL license which is recognized in all other States (this is the one where they take your Ontario license).

Printed out a piece of paper and said this was my temporary driver's license and that my FL State license should arrive in a week or so.

Hope this helps!

so basically you cant drive in any other states?

good choice

Earmuffs, is there some reason why you insist on being so offensive? Can you step back from yourself for a minute and have a little think about others having the ability to make their own life choices, based on their own life situations, using their own personal information that they have at hand and you do not, before you post, please? Thank you.

T.O_2_FL, I wasn't aware there were two types of licenses in Florida. I know my local DMV hadn't said anything to me about it. I rented a car in Denver and gave them my Florida license and they were fine with that. I've just received the renewal notice in the mail so I'll be sure to ask them when I go down there.

Yeah but this is Colorado where 10 years ago I walked to the DMV kiosk in the mall and handed over my Ont drivers licence, filled out a form, and waited 10 mins and got my full Colorado licence. Never once looked for a passport or my work status or anything. Of course that was 10 years ago so it's probably changed a lot here now too (no more mall kiosks). Anyways, we're not as strict I don't think as a lot of other states are, and not sure we even have a temp licence at all?

[Krikit 1,165]

Yeah but this is Colorado where 10 years ago I walked to the DMV kiosk in the mall and handed over my Ont drivers licence, filled out a form, and waited 10 mins and got my full Colorado licence. Never once looked for a passport or my work status or anything. Of course that was 10 years ago so it's probably changed a lot here now too (no more mall kiosks). Anyways, we're not as strict I don't think as a lot of other states are, and not sure we even have a temp licence at all?

Colorado is amazing. Hands down the nicest and most laid-back people I have ever met. I should have smuggled back some of those passing-lane-only signs and brought them back to Florida. It was so nice to be driving normally again.

[T.O_2_FL 0]

Then she asked if I wanted a FL State only license (this is the one where you can keep your Ontario license) <---- I went with this one

OR

The FL license which is recognized in all other States (this is the one where they take your Ontario license).

Printed out a piece of paper and said this was my temporary driver's license and that my FL State license should arrive in a week or so.

Hope this helps!

so basically you cant drive in any other states?

good choice

Nope they told me I would just use my Ontario license in the other states out of Florida. I only really needed the FL license to get insurance for a car.

[T.O_2_FL 0]

I think maybe the state of FL has different types of licenses since there are so many Snow Birds that come down here and may need the FL license to get insurance for a U.S vehicle?

[Krikit 1,165]

I think maybe the state of FL has different types of licenses since there are so many Snow Birds that come down here and may need the FL license to get insurance for a U.S vehicle?

Good point.

[Earmuffs 1]

so what really is the point of having the Ontario one?

If you move back there all you would have to do is trade in your FL one?

[Izoom 0]

Well I could see holding onto your Canadian license for certain circumstances. My fiance and I were pulled over by a cop for rolling through a stop sign and he let her off with a warning once she handed the officer her Nova Scotia license. I think having one is better than nothing at all, but I wouldn't suggest anyone get too "comfortable" with one and get a legal/official one as soon as legal and feasible. Also, can anyone point me in a useful direction for scooters? She has one, its 49.4cc which is under the minimum 50cc listed as a motorcycle. Therefore, I think she will be able to simply get a standard automobile operator license and not need special endorsement. Any help wouuld be apprecaited, hope I'm not hijacking the thread. If so, my apologies.

[T.O_2_FL 0]

so what really is the point of having the Ontario one?

If you move back there all you would have to do is trade in your FL one?

Well I plan on visiting back home and renting a car there or even driving our car up there....I mean it's not mandatory that I take the 'All States' driver's license and there is no cost difference so we thought why not keep a part of 'home'. I guess I'm just sentimental like that...if it's not going to hurt anything then why not.

No, if I move back to Ontario I do not need to trade in my FL one. I can keep both.

[T.O_2_FL 0]

Well I could see holding onto your Canadian license for certain circumstances. My fiance and I were pulled over by a cop for rolling through a stop sign and he let her off with a warning once she handed the officer her Nova Scotia license. I think having one is better than nothing at all, but I wouldn't suggest anyone get too "comfortable" with one and get a legal/official one as soon as legal and feasible. Also, can anyone point me in a useful direction for scooters? She has one, its 49.4cc which is under the minimum 50cc listed as a motorcycle. Therefore, I think she will be able to simply get a standard automobile operator license and not need special endorsement. Any help wouuld be apprecaited, hope I'm not hijacking the thread. If so, my apologies.

I don't know about the U.S. but I know in Ontario that in order to operate a scooter you need a motorcycle license....49.4 cc...best to check on the DMV site?