Getting license in USA, "direct transfer" - Very helpful tips I learned the hard way

[FireKari 4]

Hello!

I thought immigration and taxes was frustrating.... I have another to add to the list:

Direct transfer licenses... the kind that you don't have to take the test, just hand them your stuff and they give you the new one.

Bring with you:

SSN

Green card

Old license

2 pieces of mail with name and address on it

Cheque, mine was 29.50

TIPS:

Bring with you http://www.ontario.ca/en/services_for_residents/053272.html this form [$12, print at home] if you don't want to be held up for an hour and have to go home and come back becuase their system only "sometimes" connects to the Canada data base for them to get your information.... and you don't want to wait two weeks for it to arrive in the snailmail.... UGH

Oh and if you have your ID in two names, bring your marriage cert, they will ask to see it, over and over and over and over again, and still then argue infront of you what name they "think" it should be under, and then put it under your maiden name at the end of the day because that's what your SSN says.

THREE trips, lunch, and a headache later, I have my US license.

Good grief Charlie Brown.

p.s. Yes you can keep your old Canadian one, they just punch a teeny whole in it, and you have to ask them if you want it back, the guy tried to keep mine until I stated that I wanted it back.

/end rant

Hopefully others had better experiences than I just did.

Edited February 17, 2011 by FireKari

[patient2010 93]

Thanks for sharing!!!!

[Flames9_RN 358]

Each STATE has their own requirements and they do differ greatly.

[FireKari 4]

That was for PA

[jken 2]

Good Info., to know...it all helps! But I am confused if you brought your old license...what other info do they need?

[FireKari 4]

I honestly wish that I knew.

The paper basically said my name and no convictions against me, I guess it was to see if I was suspended or anything in Canada in the last three years?

That's just my best guess.

[Inky 1,110]

Hello!

I thought immigration and taxes was frustrating.... I have another to add to the list:

Direct transfer licenses... the kind that you don't have to take the test, just hand them your stuff and they give you the new one.

Bring with you:

SSN

Green card

Old license

2 pieces of mail with name and address on it

Cheque, mine was 29.50

TIPS:

Bring with you http://www.ontario.ca/en/services_for_residents/053272.html this form [$12, print at home] if you don't want to be held up for an hour and have to go home and come back becuase their system only "sometimes" connects to the Canada data base for them to get your information.... and you don't want to wait two weeks for it to arrive in the snailmail.... UGH

Oh and if you have your ID in two names, bring your marriage cert, they will ask to see it, over and over and over and over again, and still then argue infront of you what name they "think" it should be under, and then put it under your maiden name at the end of the day because that's what your SSN says.

THREE trips, lunch, and a headache later, I have my US license.

Good grief Charlie Brown.

p.s. Yes you can keep your old Canadian one, they just punch a teeny whole in it, and you have to ask them if you want it back, the guy tried to keep mine until I stated that I wanted it back.

/end rant

Hopefully others had better experiences than I just did.

Sorry you had a crappy/crazy experience trying to get your DL. No idea why they asked for so much stuff including that 12$ paper thing?

-----

Nebraska State DL.

All I brought was my Canadian license, my ssn, passport and my marriage certificate and cash of about 40$.

They never asked for anything else, I never needed that 12$ form whatever that is and they never punched a hole cut or did anything to my Canadian license. I have it and keep it in my wallet.

Took a test on the computer that was really easy, passed they took my picture and I payed and they printed out my temp paper license and I got my card in the mail a week-ish later.

The only problem I had was the woman said the computer was being a little slow so we just chatted and she said it was cool that Canada has an agreement with the US about the licenses etc. She already knew about it too which was nice.

[FireKari 4]

I had to bring the $12 paper becuase their system wouldn't connect to the Canada system for the information.

He said it was a "50/50" that it would actually connect and it's "an ongoing problem IN ALL STATES THAT CONNECT TO THE CANADA SYSTEM."

Rathar then waiting for a "chance" that it might connect I got the information myself.

They originally wanted it MAILED to them, which "takes two weeks for processing and another up to two weeks for mailing"

That means it would be up to a month before I could get the paper mailed to them and have to wait that long to get the damn license.... ugh.

So I asked the guy if he would just accept the one that you can print yourself off the internet since it was available to be printed immediately.

He said he would accept it IF if had a formal letterhead on it.

I paid the $12 printed it out, and it did indeed have the letterhead and was accepted later that same afternoon, on my third trip there.

What a pain in the *bleeep*

Edited February 18, 2011 by FireKari

[Marilyn. 340]

In California you have to take the eye test, the written exam and the driving test before you can get the US license..

[VanessaTony 3,567]

In California you have to take the eye test, the written exam and the driving test before you can get the US license..

I've heard (my SIL moved there for IA) that's the same with a simple State transfer to CA too. Something about their road rules being different to most other states.

[magentahaze 34]

In Iowa, it was flippin' easy! I just had my GC, my still valid BC license, which I was still in the "N" stage of the graduated program, and I think maybe my SSN, maybe not, I can't remember.

I just talked to one of the ladies in the DMV, asked her what I had to do.

I could've kept my BC license, but then I would've had to take the written and driving test. It's not like I'm still going to need it, so they just took my BC license, punched a hole in it, I did a short eye test, they took my picture and I paid $20. Had the temporary one for a few weeks and got the card in the mail shortly after.

Nice and painless.

[Canadiandggal 49]

MD is really easy too. Just bring in all your i551 or greencard, old license, 2 pieces of id and "tell them that it is considered a Out of state transfer".

[TheFantastics09 19]

That was for PA

Sweeet!!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

GA doesn't connect to Canada either. You have to redo all of the tests (eye,written, road) and bring proof of immigration status, proof of residency, and SSN. License is only issued for the same length of time as the immigration status or 3 years - which ever is less. They used to require you to turn over your prior licenses - now they just invalidate them.

[FireKari 4]

See it was "supposed" to be easy state to state transfer... but becuase it wouldn't connect, it was a pain in the a**.