Driving Abstract, Renewing CDN License and Other Legalities

[Sam and Ben 2]

Got my response this morning as well:

Response

Dear Ms. X:

Thank you for your recent inquiry.

In order to apply for a Florida license, you would need to show your passport, K1 visa, marriage license and the I797 (notice of action) receipt for the I485 application. You are not required to have a ss # at this time. If you are not employed, you may drive on your Caniadian license.

We hope this information will assist you.

Along with that, I did go and renew my Ontario DL yesterday. They gave me a two-year renewal for $30. I wasn't given a choice for this (though I was happy for it, definitely), I was just told that, when there are many people with expiring licenses at the same time, they only do two year renewals.

Sounds odd, but certainly didn't bother me in the least.

So now I'm headed to check out the AOS thread to figure out whenabouts I'll get my NOA.

[antda 13]

Hi Everyone,

I too am a Canadian and have my US (New York State) driver's license.

And this is how I got the following:

-Before I got my 2yr Green Card, I just drove with my Canadian Driver's License, as it was still valid and I wasn't legally a US Resident yet until after I got my US green card. But after I got my green card.....

-2006-11: Got my 2yr US Green Card (based on AOS from Visitor's Visa)

-2007-01: SSN Card Received (delayed due to immigration status verification)

-2007-01: Then I got an application from the DMV for my NYS driver's license, and got my NYS license afterwards.

-Went to the DMV with the following identification and residency proof: SSN Card, US 2yr Green Card/I-551, US Marriage Certificate, Utility Bill

-As well, I went with my Canadian (Ontario, G2 Level) Driver's license, as I was going to "directly transfer" my Canadian Driver's license for a US one, with no further testing required for people who have Canadian driver's licenses. I didn't have to do the written or the road tests, and only did an easy eye test, which I passed. They did though take my Canadian driver's license away, since I was exchanging it for a US one (lol..I don't need two driver's licenses anyways, especially a former Canadian one that was in my maiden last name).

And 10 minutes later....-I got my NYS temporary paper license

-I got the actual NYS Driver's license card (D Class with no restrictions, in my married last name) in the mail 1-2 weeks afterwards...

-My NYS driver's license is valid for 5 years....(lol..longer than my 2yr green card...go figure...)

-Overall, I found the NYS DMV to be quite nice and helpful....The best government agency here in the USA, in my opinion!....

Other useful links for you in obtaining a NYS driver's license:

-Application for NYS driver's licence that you can fill out, print, and bring to you when you go to the DMV:

http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/forms/mv44.pdf

-Proof of Identification and NYS residency that you can print out here and bring to you when you go to the DMV:

http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/forms/id44.pdf

As for car insurance, I just showed them my new NYS driver's license, a copy of my old Canadian driver's license (thank goodness I made a photocopy of that before the DMV took it away), and right away I was added to my husband's car insurance policy (for a $10 one-time fee) and got the insurance card in the mail 1-2 weeks later with both names on it. They treated me like an experienced driver already (lol..which I was, having had driving experience before in Canada for many years...) and no other proof of that was needed (no driver's abstract or anything like that). The best of all, is that because we have joint car insurance, that our rates actually went down, as we are both good drivers with no accidents and being married makes the overall rates lower too (well, from my insurance company..not sure about other companies). So no problem with that either in terms of car insurance-wise.

As well, after I get US Citizenship (hopefully by the end of 2009), I will also apply for an " NYS Enhanced Driver's License", which is good for travel as identification (in lieu of a passport) for US Citizens for land trips across the border to Canada.

Hope this helps. Good luck with the rest of your immigration and DMV journeys too.

Ant

[domegirl1978 1]

I was not told any of this by the Florida DMV when I called them. they said come in with my passport, proof of residence like bills or bank statements and my Canadian license and thats it.

Either way though, I will let you guys know as soon as I get mine. It should be about 2 weeks til I go to the DMV here in Florida and I will write back on this message board exactly what they asked for and how it all went.

[cdn_gewels 0]

Got my response this morning as well:

Response

Dear Ms. X:

Thank you for your recent inquiry.

In order to apply for a Florida license, you would need to show your passport, K1 visa, marriage license and the I797 (notice of action) receipt for the I485 application. You are not required to have a ss # at this time. If you are not employed, you may drive on your Caniadian license.

We hope this information will assist you.

Along with that, I did go and renew my Ontario DL yesterday. They gave me a two-year renewal for $30. I wasn't given a choice for this (though I was happy for it, definitely), I was just told that, when there are many people with expiring licenses at the same time, they only do two year renewals.

Sounds odd, but certainly didn't bother me in the least.

So now I'm headed to check out the AOS thread to figure out whenabouts I'll get my NOA.

Sam - I just read through my e-mail to the DMV and realized that I said 2009 in my dates. ("Moving in February 2009 and getting married in April 2009".) Things change as of January 2010, but I figure the person who wrote back to me probably figured I meant 2010 instead of 2009 as we're in November. Did you state anything about 2010 in your e-mail?

[Sam and Ben 2]

Got my response this morning as well:

Response

Dear Ms. X:

Thank you for your recent inquiry.

In order to apply for a Florida license, you would need to show your passport, K1 visa, marriage license and the I797 (notice of action) receipt for the I485 application. You are not required to have a ss # at this time. If you are not employed, you may drive on your Caniadian license.

We hope this information will assist you.

Along with that, I did go and renew my Ontario DL yesterday. They gave me a two-year renewal for $30. I wasn't given a choice for this (though I was happy for it, definitely), I was just told that, when there are many people with expiring licenses at the same time, they only do two year renewals.

Sounds odd, but certainly didn't bother me in the least.

So now I'm headed to check out the AOS thread to figure out whenabouts I'll get my NOA.

Sam - I just read through my e-mail to the DMV and realized that I said 2009 in my dates. ("Moving in February 2009 and getting married in April 2009".) Things change as of January 2010, but I figure the person who wrote back to me probably figured I meant 2010 instead of 2009 as we're in November. Did you state anything about 2010 in your e-mail?

I said I was moving at the very end of December and getting married mid-January.

[pawfectchis 0]

I just looked over your application timeline. Seemed to go very quickly for you. I have been stressing because I was told it was taking a year to get your immigration papers approved. I am Cdn from BC living with my US Military husband in DE, my Cdn Drivers license expires in two months. I can't get a drivers license here yet as we have not filed our papers yet. I don't want to fly all the way to BC Canada to get a DL and fly back. I wish life was a little less stressful.