Kind of an unusual question..

[zentaco 28]

I finally got my visa last week, and will probably be making the move in a couple of months. However, I've had one dilemma that I'm uncertain of. I'm 26, and while I have my learners licence, I've only driven a car once (my first job was within walking distance and my current job is very accessible by train). I want to get my drivers license for the move since it'll probably be more important to have there, but am unsure if it is better to go to drivers education and try to get it here, or wait until I'm down in the states where there are probably different laws? Not sure whether anyone here would be able to answer this but worth a shot.

[Tim/Mav 305]

I finally got my visa last week, and will probably be making the move in a couple of months. However, I've had one dilemma that I'm uncertain of. I'm 26, and while I have my learners licence, I've only driven a car once (my first job was within walking distance and my current job is very accessible by train). I want to get my drivers license for the move since it'll probably be more important to have there, but am unsure if it is better to go to drivers education and try to get it here, or wait until I'm down in the states where there are probably different laws? Not sure whether anyone here would be able to answer this but worth a shot.

No Law Requires a Drivers Educational Permit. That is a Personal Choice. DMV only requires you meet Insurance permital and pass the test. Driving is serious though, it's not so much passing a test. Be sure your comfortable behind the wheel. Oh, Get your License in the States. If you aquire in Canada you will have to do it all over again anyway in the US.

Edited June 26, 2012 by Tim/Mav

[hikergirl 277]

Depends on which state you are going to. Some states allow you to trade your Canadian driver's licence straight across. But if you're moving to a state where you have to take a written etc then I wouldn't bother.

Good Luck whichever way you decide!

[amykathleen2005 441]

Start practicing now so you are comfortable. I would take lessons from someone in the states familiar with that state's laws.

[zentaco 28]

I've had trouble finding people to practise with here, unfortunately.. That's part of the reason I've only driven once. There's one person that's offered to help me practise, but I don't really know them well or talk to them often.. Maybe I should ask anyway.

I'll be moving to California, and I think it's one of the states where you have to re-acquire a licence. Sounds like it's better to wait then? My fiance said he'd help me practise first.

Edited June 26, 2012 by zentaco

[HeatDeath 430]

You should look at the California DMV website, and call them to confirm, but if you're just going to have to redo a road test anyways, there is no point at all in rushing to get the license before you move.

Utah made me redo the road test, and I'd been driving for 15 years. Funnily, I almost failed the road test for driving too cautiously.

[warlord 73]

Yes every state is different. When I did mine back in the 90's I just had to walk up to a mall kiosk, hand in my Canadian licence, do a simple eye test and boom there was my new Colorado drivers licence right there. Just took 10 mins for the card to come out so I did a marketing survey in the mall to waste 10 mins and got paid $5. Ahhh the good old days when you could just do it that way. Now it's a pain...

[JustJanis 2]

I finally got my visa last week, and will probably be making the move in a couple of months. However, I've had one dilemma that I'm uncertain of. I'm 26, and while I have my learners licence, I've only driven a car once (my first job was within walking distance and my current job is very accessible by train). I want to get my drivers license for the move since it'll probably be more important to have there, but am unsure if it is better to go to drivers education and try to get it here, or wait until I'm down in the states where there are probably different laws? Not sure whether anyone here would be able to answer this but worth a shot.

In my case my Canadian drivers licence had expired 8 years ago (although I'd had a licence and had been driving for 20 years before that) but when I got to Virginia I studied for the test expecting to get a learners permit first but they accepted my old licence, I took an eye test and was given a drivers licence right away. I drove with my husband close by home for a few days to get comfortable with the area and now all is good.

If you can get any practice where you are go for it but I suggest waiting until you are in the US and apply in California.

Good luck - have fun - be safe!

[bsd058 296]

or wait until I'm down in the states where there are probably different laws?

Hi, zentaco. The laws of each state differ, but most driving laws are the same or similar in all of North America. There will be minor differences here or there, but for the most part, you'll be following the same rules of the road. That's why our driver's licenses are reciprocated. By this, I only mean you can drive in America with a valid Canadian driver's license while on vacation or visiting, and in some cases you can trade in a Canadian provincial license for an American state license.

I've never observed any wacky rules when I've gone to the states to visit, and I've gone a few hundred times. Just read their online driver's manuals to make sure everything is the same, and you'll be fine.

[Marilyn. 340]

yes, in California you have to take the eye test, written test and road test

I would just wait til you get here..

[aaron2020 11,651]

I've had trouble finding people to practise with here, unfortunately.. That's part of the reason I've only driven once. There's one person that's offered to help me practise, but I don't really know them well or talk to them often.. Maybe I should ask anyway.

I'll be moving to California, and I think it's one of the states where you have to re-acquire a licence. Sounds like it's better to wait then? My fiance said he'd help me practise first.

The CA DMV's website is really slow this morning.

Here is info from an alternative website that does have a citation back to the CA DMV.

http://driversed.com/dmv/california/California-new-resident.aspx

New California Residents

New residents to “The Golden State” are required to do a variety of things in order to become a compliant driver in the eyes of the DMV. If you recently moved to California, be prepared to become familiar with these rules if you intend to drive.

• You must apply for a California state I.D. card or Drivers License within ten days of moving here or upon accepting employment. This includes commercial driver licenses and motorcycle licenses.
  
• You may apply for a provisional license or permit if you meet the requirements listed by the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
  
• You also must register any vehicle currently bearing out-of-state plates within 20 days of becoming a resident or accepting employment within California.
  

Be aware that California residents are not allowed to import, buy, or lease a new vehicle from another state, unless the vehicle was manufactured for sale in California and the Environmental Protection Agency label certifies the vehicle has California smog equipment.

More information for new California residents can be found on the CA DMV website found here.

Note: This article was accurate when it was published. Please confirm all details directly with the CA DMV. You can visit the CA DMV website or call 1-800-777-0133 for general drivers license and registration information.

[BlueBonnet 84]

Yes every state is different. When I did mine back in the 90's I just had to walk up to a mall kiosk, hand in my Canadian licence, do a simple eye test and boom there was my new Colorado drivers licence right there. Just took 10 mins for the card to come out so I did a marketing survey in the mall to waste 10 mins and got paid $5. Ahhh the good old days when you could just do it that way. Now it's a pain...

Not a pain, this is exactly what I did last year too. The worst was waiting my turn, but other than that, just hand it over, eye test, picture, done.

[katchoo12 8]

I tried to find the same info for Maine and could not find it. Can someone help me with this ? If i have to redo the test in Mainei don't see why i should stress to get it here in Québec ! Thanks in advance !

[zentaco 28]

Thanks for all the feedback. I may contact the California DMV at some point for more details, but it sounds like it might be a pain to do it all twice.. I'm mostly concerned about transportation when I get down there but it's not like I'll have a car to use when my fiance is at work, anyway (and I'm already looking forward to getting a nicer bicycle).. I'll probably have my licence by the time I'm able to work, hopefully.

Edited June 27, 2012 by zentaco