Exchanging Canadian Driver's License in Florida

[Piefre 15]

I have to go get my Canadian Driver's license exchanged for a Florida one soon. When I called up the DMV they mentioned that all out of state drivers who are now Florida residents needed to exchange their license within 30 days of moving to Florida. I'm outside of that 30 day timeframe so can I still exchange my license? We had to wait a while for my ssn to come in.

[Saylin 1,605]

I have to go get my Canadian Driver's license exchanged for a Florida one soon. When I called up the DMV they mentioned that all out of state drivers who are now Florida residents needed to exchange their license within 30 days of moving to Florida. I'm outside of that 30 day timeframe so can I still exchange my license? We had to wait a while for my ssn to come in.

I don't know about Florida, but I had the same problem as you and I got my South Dakota driver's license almost 5 months after getting my SSN (6 months from moving there). I had contacted the DMV for South Dakota and they told me that as long as my Canadian driver's license was still valid, they would exchange it, even if it was outside the 30 day window. Call them back up and ask if you'll be okay as long as your driver's license is still valid. I'm sure it will be okay.

[sheeshkabelle 153]

They will exchange it.

One because you are an immigrant and they know it takes a while to get all your documents.

Two because they really don't care, as long as your previous driver's license is valid. They make the law for people that move from state to state and never bother to get a new license. Because they can't track one down for jury duty and other civil matters.

The only time waiting over the 30 days is and issue, is if you get pulled over and the cop is having a bad day, and you can't prove why you had to wait over the 30 days.

[Colleens 40]

They will exchange it.

One because you are an immigrant and they know it takes a while to get all your documents.

Two because they really don't care, as long as your previous driver's license is valid. They make the law for people that move from state to state and never bother to get a new license. Because they can't track one down for jury duty and other civil matters.

The only time waiting over the 30 days is and issue, is if you get pulled over and the cop is having a bad day, and you can't prove why you had to wait over the 30 days.

It may not be as simple as just exchanging it as you say. I know to get my TN licence I needed to have a copy of my drivers abstract from where I was moving from that was issued within the last 30 days (so make sure your hubby gets one of these!!)

I also remember reading about some people having issues getting a drivers licence in FL. Here is a link that I tracked down that should have some info in it....I didn't read the whole thing but hopefully there will be something helpful in it for you. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/227832-driving-abstract-renewing-cdn-license-and-other-legalities/

[sheeshkabelle 153]

wow you had to have an abstract to get a TN license? I know some insurance companies require them (GEICO did not need one for my husband)

My aunt said FL is pretty easy to get a license if your Canadian because so many Canadians winter there. FL is one of the few states you do not have to prove you are a LPR or citizen to get a license.

I take that last statement back, they changed the laws last year.

Edited January 9, 2012 by sheeshkabelle

[brooksie 3]

-IN FLORIDA- you need to take your passport with your visa in it, your Canadian DL, your birth cert, your marriage cert(if you changed your name), two peaces of mail. they will give you a one year temp at value to your canadian one, you do need to do the eye test. its a 35 dollar charge, they do not take visa, cash master card, or check. when the temp one runs out you have to go back with your gc and you will get the full 10 year one. they are making a big deal right now about ileagles having dl's also they do not care about your canadian driving record, and can not access it, neater can the insurance companies if you have any other questions fell free to drop me a PM. also they do not care about the 30 days as long as you get it done. oh and if you imported your car your looking at 500 to get the plates put it on it, i haven't done that yet and ive been here since aug...i just dont drive it lol.

[Colleens 40]

wow you had to have an abstract to get a TN license? I know some insurance companies require them (GEICO did not need one for my husband)

My aunt said FL is pretty easy to get a license if your Canadian because so many Canadians winter there. FL is one of the few states you do not have to prove you are a LPR or citizen to get a license.

I take that last statement back, they changed the laws last year.

Yes, and I got one before I left Canada, but I came here as a visitor for 4 months while I waited for my interview so my abstract was over 30 days old when I finally got to change my licence over. So when I went it they told me I needed a new one. So I went on-line and was able to get a copy of it from there. So I went back to the DMV and tried again. But because it did not look the same as the older one, they were not going to give me my license. I eventually convinced them, but it was a hassle.

[Piefre 15]

Okay sounds easy enough then. I did call them back and asked abd they don't care about the 30 day thing for immigrants. But now they're telling me I have to surrender my Canadian DL. Um, not sure the DMV has jurisdiction to take my Canadian DL because it is the property of Canada.

[Saylin 1,605]

Okay sounds easy enough then. I did call them back and asked abd they don't care about the 30 day thing for immigrants. But now they're telling me I have to surrender my Canadian DL. Um, not sure the DMV has jurisdiction to take my Canadian DL because it is the property of Canada.

When I got my South Dakota driver's license, they took my Canadian driver's license.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Pretty sure VA took my Nova Scotia license! I guess you then have a choice--do you want a Florida License,lol

[SapphireDreams 71]

New York State took my Canadian license too.

[brooksie 3]

i argued the point and they just cut the corner off

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Georgia used to take Canadian DL as well - they took mine - but they no longer do - they just invalidate it instead.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Actually, we now have Florida drivers licenses--they have us our Virginia ones back, but cut off a corner of them, which in N.America it must mean they are no longer valid. Cops here in Nicaragua do not know that,lol

[Crystal&Tommy 2]

I just got my Florida driver's licence one week ago. I brought in my passport, canadian driver's licence, SSN, 2 pieces of oficial mail showing my fiances address and a letter from my fiance signed and dated saying that I live with him.You can get the template for the letter online on the DMV website. They are VERY strict about the 2 pieces of mail with your address on it. If you do not have any mail in your name, make sure your fiance/husband gives you a credit card, utility bill, car insurance etc. They weren't even letting people in the building without the proper documents.

They told me that if I did not want to hand over my Canadian driver's licence then I would have to do the florida driving test. So I gave it to them. To be honest, just because I gave them my Ontario DL I'm not sure it invalidates it?

I had to do the eye test and pay 48 dollars. They accept Amex, Mastercard, Cash or personal check. I paid with a personal check.

They issued my DL on the spot. They gave me a piece of paper with my licence number on it and told me my ID card would come in the mail in 30 days.