My Experience changing my Drivers License today..

[warlord 73]

I find it amusing here that everyone of my friends or coworkers know more about Canada then I do. They all laugh at me asking me "Aren't you from there???". Anytime I tell them where I'm from, most of them know the area, have been there etc and some even remeber bar names. It's actually amazing. Of course I'm in a geography type field so that might explain it, but even my friends who aren't know quite a bit more about Canadian Geography then I do. Maybe I'm the typical American ha ha.

Years back switching my DL was pretty basic, I just handed my Ontario one over, they took it, punched a hole in it, did the eye test and 5 mins later I got my new card. All done in a stand in the mall. Of course that has changed over the years...

[ljs 1]

The DMV instantly gave me an Oregon Licence (i was impressed). I then asked for my BC License back...and said no I could not have my BC License back because they hole punched it and destroyed it! &*%^ I thought you have

to be joking? I explained I had 2 residences one in Oregon and 1 in BC Canada. His attitude was...since I now

have an Oregon drivers license " I am now an OREGONIAN" ...what the faaa.......

I returned to BC and got another BC Drivers License...fooled him! LOL

Apparently that's what many people do when the U.S. DMVs void their Canadian licences! Too bad I didn't know that beforehand (not that it matters too much), and had purposefully avoided letting the CA DMV know that I have an Ontario licence. The only difference here is that I now have a learner's permit (must be accompanied by a licenced driver) and not a temporary licence until I get my full licence.

I recently got my drivers licence in Napa CA and they let me keep my Ontario DL and gave me a temp CA DL (after doing the written test) so I could get insurance. I took the driving test, which was easy and they mailed me my CA DL and never asked for my Ontario one.

Linda

[new orleans bound 0]

I got a good laugh at that, but I just hate to see people like those DMV peeps ruin my educational credibility by thinking I know nothing that's going on outside of my borders. Hell, I will go as far as saying I do care what you guys think of me and the US bc I spend a lot of my time during the week reading and bonding with you guys, I can't help it!

If you're curious about growing up in the American educational system, all history and geography was extensively based on Europe, Asia and Africa. I will completely admit we never spent any time at all on Canada or Mexico except for a week or two in 7th grade, but I don't think it was necessarily put on the back burner on purpose... That definitely was not an excuse for those DMV workers, however. Most Americans know of all the provinces and major cities (including edmonton ) but maybe not the exact placement of each, just as I'm sure you view the US. (like raymaga said)

We kind of see the Canadian/US/Mexican relationship as being brothers, we like to pick on each other and make jokes, but in the end we know we're stuck with each other and we were made that way I just hope my Canadian fiance doesn't think so poorly of us and our education :/

I'd like to disagree with you. The majority of Americans I worked with in the States had no idea that Canada has Provinces, let alone what they are and where they are. They thought that Canada was one big State. Even people who had gone to school.

For example - my step son is 9. He does history in school. He has no idea where any of the provinces are. They (he and my husband) come here regulary and the little fella still has no idea where Newfoundland or Nova Scotia are. I think it's interesting that other countries are studied more than the two that border the US.

[Marilyn. 340]

My hubby's aunt thought Canada was part of the United States and was wondering why I just couldn't have moved down here...

[Marilyn. 340]

The DMV instantly gave me an Oregon Licence (i was impressed). I then asked for my BC License back...and said no I could not have my BC License back because they hole punched it and destroyed it! &*%^ I thought you have

to be joking? I explained I had 2 residences one in Oregon and 1 in BC Canada. His attitude was...since I now

have an Oregon drivers license " I am now an OREGONIAN" ...what the faaa.......

I returned to BC and got another BC Drivers License...fooled him! LOL

Apparently that's what many people do when the U.S. DMVs void their Canadian licenses! Too bad I didn't know that beforehand (not that it matters too much), and had purposefully avoided letting the CA DMV know that I have an Ontario license. The only difference here is that I now have a learner's permit (must be accompanied by a licensed driver) and not a temporary license until I get my full license.

see this is what I thought, that they keep your Canadian license but when I got my CA one the lady asked to see my BC license and she just looked at it and took some info off it and handed it back to me.. I said I can keep this? and she said yup... I didn't argue.....

[Saddle Bronc 124]

I actually can remember being stopped for speeding on Peachtree Industrial Blvd (near I-285 Perimeter) in late August 1994. The cop actually asked me if my name was of FRENCH origin!

[warlord 73]

For example - my step son is 9. He does history in school. He has no idea where any of the provinces are. They (he and my husband) come here regulary and the little fella still has no idea where Newfoundland or Nova Scotia are. I think it's interesting that other countries are studied more than the two that border the US.

You know, up until a few years ago I didn't know they were two seperate places myself and I grew up in Canada. Now I pretty much know most of the world, but I might still have problems trying to figure out which one is which on a map.

Hell I thought they had port of entry check points going between provinces as I have never driving over one, I think it was like going from Canada to the US, rather then like state to state. Maybe it was the self-centered Ontario type mentality where we couldn't care less about the rest of the country and never bothered to retain any of the information at all about anyone else but Ontario...

[DeadPoolX 9]

I got a good laugh at that, but I just hate to see people like those DMV peeps ruin my educational credibility by thinking I know nothing that's going on outside of my borders. Hell, I will go as far as saying I do care what you guys think of me and the US bc I spend a lot of my time during the week reading and bonding with you guys, I can't help it!

If you're curious about growing up in the American educational system, all history and geography was extensively based on Europe, Asia and Africa. I will completely admit we never spent any time at all on Canada or Mexico except for a week or two in 7th grade, but I don't think it was necessarily put on the back burner on purpose... That definitely was not an excuse for those DMV workers, however. Most Americans know of all the provinces and major cities (including edmonton ) but maybe not the exact placement of each, just as I'm sure you view the US. (like raymaga said)

We kind of see the Canadian/US/Mexican relationship as being brothers, we like to pick on each other and make jokes, but in the end we know we're stuck with each other and we were made that way I just hope my Canadian fiance doesn't think so poorly of us and our education :/

I'd like to disagree with you. The majority of Americans I worked with in the States had no idea that Canada has Provinces, let alone what they are and where they are. They thought that Canada was one big State. Even people who had gone to school.

For example - my step son is 9. He does history in school. He has no idea where any of the provinces are. They (he and my husband) come here regulary and the little fella still has no idea where Newfoundland or Nova Scotia are. I think it's interesting that other countries are studied more than the two that border the US.

It's all about experiences, I suppose...

The people I've met know where Canada is and where the provinces are, for the most part. But you have to understand something as well -- provinces such as Newfoundland (which I cannot pronounce correctly to save my life; my fiancee has a ball just listening to me try) and Nova Scotia are not very well-known provinces in the United States. As I said in my previous post in this thread, Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta and then Quebec are all much better known.

It's sort of like people from other countries when they think of the U.S., really. What're the first states to come to mind? New York? California? Maybe Texas? Florida, perhaps? Sates such as Idaho or Wyoming or South Dakota certainly don't show up on the radar. Why? Not much is talked about them. They're not well-known. Sure, people within the U.S. know of them (they probably don't care much unless it's their state though), but do people in Germany or France or England or China or Japan or yes, Canada, know much (i.e. anything about those states, like where they are within the continental U.S.) about them?

I'd guess probably not.

And you know what? That's fine. No one expects you to either. It's not your country. So don't be too surprised at finding that not every American knows the smallest detail about Canada or any other foreign country. B)

[antda 13]

Hi Everyone,

Good luck on your immigration journey. From my experience here in New York State, I got my (Ontario, G2 level) Canadian license transferred over, as NYS has an exchange agreement with Canada. I only had to pay the $40 license fee, which is good for 5 years. No written tests or road tests required for me either. What's needed for a NYS driver's license though is a SS#, which I got a couple of weeks later after I got my Green Card. Meanwhile, throughout the entire time I was in the USA, I just drove with my (Ontario) Canadian license, which was perfectly legal to do. The only frustration I had in driving with a Canadian license was that was still in my old maiden last name (which I really hate), not in my new married last name (which I really like).

By the way, it is definitely a lot easier to drive in the USA and to get a license here in the USA it is easier too. No more G1, G2, G, graduated licencing ####### to deal with...Grrr.....Lucky me, I skipped the Ontario G2 exit/G test, and got a full/unrestricted NYS driver's license here!

And yes, Americans do know where Canada is. The only problem I've had was trying to convince the Americans here that I am/was Canadian, as I don't look like your "typical Canadian" (that's another story)...

Ant

Edited March 7, 2007 by AntandD

[no one 0]

I recently got my drivers licence in Napa CA and they let me keep my Ontario DL and gave me a temp CA DL (after doing the written test) so I could get insurance. I took the driving test, which was easy and they mailed me my CA DL and never asked for my Ontario one.

Linda

It's okay -- I just did my road test here in Petaluma today and got my full licence! I don't have my own car, so having a learner's permit was no biggie.

PS ~ Finally! More people here in the North Bay area!

The DMV instantly gave me an Oregon Licence (i was impressed). I then asked for my BC License back...and said no I could not have my BC License back because they hole punched it and destroyed it! &*%^ I thought you have

to be joking? I explained I had 2 residences one in Oregon and 1 in BC Canada. His attitude was...since I now

have an Oregon drivers license " I am now an OREGONIAN" ...what the faaa.......

I returned to BC and got another BC Drivers License...fooled him! LOL

Apparently that's what many people do when the U.S. DMVs void their Canadian licenses! Too bad I didn't know that beforehand (not that it matters too much), and had purposefully avoided letting the CA DMV know that I have an Ontario license. The only difference here is that I now have a learner's permit (must be accompanied by a licensed driver) and not a temporary license until I get my full license.

see this is what I thought, that they keep your Canadian license but when I got my CA one the lady asked to see my BC license and she just looked at it and took some info off it and handed it back to me.. I said I can keep this? and she said yup... I didn't argue.....

Yeah... it's stated in the DMV manual that we're supposed to surrender our other licence, so I didn't want to take that chance It's all right though, cuz I just did my road test today and now have my full license!

[no one 0]

Hi Everyone,

Good luck on your immigration journey. From my experience here in New York State, I got my (Ontario, G2 level) Canadian license transferred over, as NYS has an exchange agreement with Canada. I only had to pay the $40 license fee, which is good for 5 years. No written tests or road tests required for me either. What's needed for a NYS driver's license though is a SS#, which I got a couple of weeks later after I got my Green Card. Meanwhile, throughout the entire time I was in the USA, I just drove with my (Ontario) Canadian license, which was perfectly legal to do. The only frustration I had in driving with a Canadian license was that was still in my old maiden last name (which I really hate), not in my new married last name (which I really like).

By the way, it is definitely a lot easier to drive in the USA and to get a license here in the USA it is easier too. No more G1, G2, G, graduated licencing ####### to deal with...Grrr.....Lucky me, I skipped the Ontario G2 exit/G test, and got a full/unrestricted NYS driver's license here!

And yes, Americans do know where Canada is. The only problem I've had was trying to convince the Americans here that I am/was Canadian, as I don't look like your "typical Canadian" (that's another story)...

Ant

I'd disagree with you about the "graduated licencing #######"... I think it is a good system, as it really prepares drivers for the road. That said, I'm glad CA doesn't have the same system, because one road test's stressful enough

[antda 13]

Hi Em,

Congrats on getting your CA license today. Hmm...I have to disagree with you saying that "it is a good system", because frankly it's not. In my opinion, it's just another "money maker" for the Ontario government, and frankly doesn't do much good. At $50- $75 a test, and having to go through many tests, you'll understand that it's a waste of time and money too. One written test and driving test is enough already! Ontario can learn a thing or two from the DMV here in the USA!

I agree, one test is stressful enough, then why make people in Ontario go through so many tests? What does it teach, other than how to study for and how to pass a test? Driving is not just a "oh, I pass the test in controlled driving conditions, then I have good driving skills"! Driving is a life-long skill that one just has to practice and have plenty of experience in the real-world. And if a person is stuck in the controlled test-taking mode, then how can they get enough real-life driving experience that they need? Sure, one can pass a test to show that they have basic driving skills, but does that mean anything else, other than they know the basics? What about after the test? Will these people stop practicing their driving skills and forget all that they learned in order how to drive safely? Every driving situation is different, and simply cannot be covered in multiple controlled driving test conditions. Real-life can teach more than a test can!

Why can't people get over this "learning so that I can study and pass for the test only" mentality? If one is focused on just passing tests, then it takes away from the content they are actually learning and in remembering what they have learned afterwards. If one want better drivers on the road, then focus on driving as a life-long skill after the test, not on taking more tests or on test-taking methods.

Think about it this way: most people drive for many years, more years than they are in school and/or working. So instead of taking a school/work test-taking attitude towards driving, why can't people just focus on real-life every day driving as a test in itself? An "ultimate road tests" of safety, everytime one drives! For when one drives, they are not only risking their lives, but of the lives on the road with them too. No formal/traditional controlled environment test can ever prepare anyone for real life driving!

"Life is about the journey (in this case, learning how to drive properly and safely as a life-long skill), not the temporay destination (in this case, not just learning the basics to drive to pass some stupid government test)..."

Ant (Still learning in real-life, still learning on the road....)

I'd disagree with you about the "graduated licencing #######"... I think it is a good system, as it really prepares drivers for the road. That said, I'm glad CA doesn't have the same system, because one road test's stressful enough

[ljs 1]

I recently got my drivers licence in Napa CA and they let me keep my Ontario DL and gave me a temp CA DL (after doing the written test) so I could get insurance. I took the driving test, which was easy and they mailed me my CA DL and never asked for my Ontario one.

Linda

It's okay -- I just did my road test here in Petaluma today and got my full licence! I don't have my own car, so having a learner's permit was no biggie.

PS ~ Finally! More people here in the North Bay area!

Congrats....and not only am I in the North Bay Area, I'm origionally from Southern Ontario

I keep thinking we should start a Bay Area Visa Journey club and use it as an excuse to travel the bay area and meet other canadians

[notrepetiteashley 0]

Oh, the hilarity. Personally, I am American, my husband is the Canadian (lucky him) and I knew a good deal about Canada. We did learn Canadian geography where I come from. However, I will say that when I was a little girl I thought that Saskatchewan was where the Sasquatch came from. Funny that my husband is from SK! Haha.

And just to add to the funny stories about uninformed Americans: A month ago my husband and I went to file our taxes. The preparer asked my husband where he was from and he said "Canada." She got quiet and then after a while said, "I don't know anything about Canada. I'll admit it. I'm just a stupid American. I mean, I know what all the PROVIDENCES are called and everything, I just maybe don't know the cities or where they are."

I nearly died. I was kicking my husband under the table. When we got home we had a good laugh about that. Providences. Sheesh.

[CanuckmeetsYank 0]

Oh, the hilarity. Personally, I am American, my husband is the Canadian (lucky him) and I knew a good deal about Canada. We did learn Canadian geography where I come from. However, I will say that when I was a little girl I thought that Saskatchewan was where the Sasquatch came from. Funny that my husband is from SK! Haha.

And just to add to the funny stories about uninformed Americans: A month ago my husband and I went to file our taxes. The preparer asked my husband where he was from and he said "Canada." She got quiet and then after a while said, "I don't know anything about Canada. I'll admit it. I'm just a stupid American. I mean, I know what all the PROVIDENCES are called and everything, I just maybe don't know the cities or where they are."

I nearly died. I was kicking my husband under the table. When we got home we had a good laugh about that. Providences. Sheesh.

Now that IS funny. At least she was honest! LOL