Exchanging Canadian Driver's License in Florida

[Sam and Ben 2]

I was unlucky in the fact that my particular branch (despite being the only one in the area that was designated to deal with non-citizens) was uneducated in their own rules, so I had to go bearing documentation proving I was able to apply as a non-GC holder. After that particular hurdle, it was just a matter of having the two pieces validating address (which wasn't easy to acquire at the time, but thankfully the NOA worked as one) and them clipping the corner of the Ontario DL.

It was a one year license due to my status. Technically, I was supposed to go back in after a year with my GC to get a full renewal... but I attempted renewing online and they sent me one requiring renewal in 2018. I was a happy camper.

[Piefre 15]

Thanks for all your input, everyone. I'm going in next Monday to exchange my Canadian DL for a Florida one. I'm thinking of just exchanging it. Everyone else has had to. I asked the DMV three times and all three said I would just exchange it. So I guess that's that.

[skr 0]

I had to give up my Ontario DL when I got my Texas DL. I never thought twice about it. I also had to go with an armload of papers. I don't remember everything that I had to bring, but I do remember having to go back a second time since I needed the title for my car. The car is in my name and they needed to see the title. They were very friendly and nice about everything. I've needed the long form of my birth certificate for a couple of things, don't remember if I needed it for this.

[BunyanP 89]

On 1/10/2012 at 10:12 PM, Kathryn41 said:

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

This is an old post, but worth a try. Was there any way around having to do the written and driving tests in Georgia? I noticed they do not have reciprocity with Canada...

[Kathryn41 3,205]

3 hours ago, BunyanP said:

This is an old post, but worth a try. Was there any way around having to do the written and driving tests in Georgia? I noticed they do not have reciprocity with Canada...

An old post, yes, but alas - there is no way around having to do the written and driving tests in Georgia.  No, they do not have reciprocity with Canada and you are only allowed to drive for a limited period of time on an out-of-state license if you are living in Georgia.  That being said, the Drivers' manual is available on line at the Department of Driver Services website https://dds.georgia.gov/  and if you are an experienced driver elsewhere you will have no problems with the driving part of the test.  Study the manual and be sure to look at those items that are specific to Georgia (how long to transfer if from out of state, etc.) and you should have no problem.  If you are able to do the test at one of the offices outside of Atlanta proper you will have a shorter wait and better experience :-).

[BunyanP 89]

18 hours ago, Kathryn41 said:

An old post, yes, but alas - there is no way around having to do the written and driving tests in Georgia.  No, they do not have reciprocity with Canada and you are only allowed to drive for a limited period of time on an out-of-state license if you are living in Georgia.  That being said, the Drivers' manual is available on line at the Department of Driver Services website https://dds.georgia.gov/  and if you are an experienced driver elsewhere you will have no problems with the driving part of the test.  Study the manual and be sure to look at those items that are specific to Georgia (how long to transfer if from out of state, etc.) and you should have no problem.  If you are able to do the test at one of the offices outside of Atlanta proper you will have a shorter wait and better experience :-).

Thanks! 🙂 frustrating that Florida can easily swap it out. Not worried about the exam per se, been driving for almost 20years haha, but still have redo something so tedious.  I went to college in Georgia and never had issues with my out of state license or tags before, but now it’ll be a little different being an actual resident I’m sure. 
 

hope you’re enjoying Georgia 🙂. We’re moving ‘back’ to the North Ga. area. Although this immigration process is longer and more bureaucratic than I had anticipated  🙄. 

[Kathryn41 3,205]

1 hour ago, BunyanP said:

Thanks! 🙂 frustrating that Florida can easily swap it out. Not worried about the exam per se, been driving for almost 20years haha, but still have redo something so tedious.  I went to college in Georgia and never had issues with my out of state license or tags before, but now it’ll be a little different being an actual resident I’m sure. 
 

hope you’re enjoying Georgia 🙂. We’re moving ‘back’ to the North Ga. area. Although this immigration process is longer and more bureaucratic than I had anticipated  🙄. 

Yeah, it is interesting to see how different states handles things.  Florida has a lot of Canadian Snowbirds so I guess are more used to dealing with foreign licenses.  Out of state tags with out of state licenses as a student would not cause you problems but yeah, as a resident, it does.

 

North Georgia is absolutely beautiful!  I've been here since 2004 and there is much I enjoy about Georgia - the climate (except for July and August!), the absolute beauty of nature here and the abundance of wildlife, and for the most part I have made some good friends.  There are other things that I don't appreciate, the politics being one, lol!  The immigration process can be tedious and cumbersome - and that will be the worst of it if you are lucky:-).  It is worth it, though, in the long run:-).

[BunyanP 89]

21 hours ago, Kathryn41 said:

Yeah, it is interesting to see how different states handles things.  Florida has a lot of Canadian Snowbirds so I guess are more used to dealing with foreign licenses.  Out of state tags with out of state licenses as a student would not cause you problems but yeah, as a resident, it does.

 

North Georgia is absolutely beautiful!  I've been here since 2004 and there is much I enjoy about Georgia - the climate (except for July and August!), the absolute beauty of nature here and the abundance of wildlife, and for the most part I have made some good friends.  There are other things that I don't appreciate, the politics being one, lol!  The immigration process can be tedious and cumbersome - and that will be the worst of it if you are lucky:-).  It is worth it, though, in the long run:-).

I agree! And I usually vacation there in July 😂. Thanks for the input! 🙂