Canadian Drivers License and insurance - Canada to Chicago

[Marzena & Stephen 544]

Hello,

 

Has anyone immigrated from Canada to Chicago?

 

I am wondering if anyone took a vehicle to USA.

Did your car insurance cover your vehicle for the first while ?

Did you have to pay taxes on your vehicle ?

Did you move your items in your vehicle ?

Were you able to use your drivers license in USA / did you have to retake any tests

What were the struggles with this process? SSN # / Address/mail etc. ?

 

Thank you

Marzena

[Cryssiekins 976]

I came to NY from ON.  

 

I was able to apply for a state issued license after obtaining my SSN and BEFORE the expiry of the i94.  I did NOT have to take a written or road test - just a quick eye exam.  Most states I think have a reciprocal agreement with Canadian provinces so you should be able to surrender your Canadian one for a state issued one.  Keep in mind, you will likely spend quite some time at the DMV while they find someone who knows how to handle the immigration part of it all. 

 

You have up to a year to import your vehicle duty-free.  I STILL have ON plates and Canadian insurance bc I am having some ultra difficulties with Chrysler :-/ 

 

Most of my stuff was in a truck driven by my dad when I came, but they didn't really question it, just be sure to make a packing inventory list for sealed boxes.  I handed them a list that said "Box #1 kitchen plates, and bows... Box #2 books" etc.

[Marzena & Stephen 544]

23 minutes ago, Cryssiekins said:

I came to NY from ON.  

 

I was able to apply for a state issued license after obtaining my SSN and BEFORE the expiry of the i94.  I did NOT have to take a written or road test - just a quick eye exam.  Most states I think have a reciprocal agreement with Canadian provinces so you should be able to surrender your Canadian one for a state issued one.  Keep in mind, you will likely spend quite some time at the DMV while they find someone who knows how to handle the immigration part of it all. 

 

You have up to a year to import your vehicle duty-free.  I STILL have ON plates and Canadian insurance bc I am having some ultra difficulties with Chrysler :-/ 

 

Most of my stuff was in a truck driven by my dad when I came, but they didn't really question it, just be sure to make a packing inventory list for sealed boxes.  I handed them a list that said "Box #1 kitchen plates, and bows... Box #2 books" etc.

You took a huge weight off my back ! I was really worried about all this ! Thank you so much for your reply ! 

[Cryssiekins 976]

3 hours ago, Marzena & Stephen said:

You took a huge weight off my back ! I was really worried about all this ! Thank you so much for your reply ! 

No problem.. I know how up and down this process is.  A weird mix of excitement  and happy stuff and then anxiety and other worries.  Definitely a journey. 

[NikLR 13,227]

On 6/19/2017 at 4:09 PM, Marzena & Stephen said:

Hello,

 

Has anyone immigrated from Canada to Chicago?

 

I am wondering if anyone took a vehicle to USA.

Did your car insurance cover your vehicle for the first while ?

Did you have to pay taxes on your vehicle ?

Did you move your items in your vehicle ?

Were you able to use your drivers license in USA / did you have to retake any tests

What were the struggles with this process? SSN # / Address/mail etc. ?

 

Thank you

Marzena

1) lots of people do

2) inquire with your insurance company.  If you are immigrating they may not.

3) you should not unless the vehicle was not made in NA.

4) yes you can 

5) depends on the state.  Look at the IL dmv.

6) You are a k1.  I suggest getting your SSN right away in maiden name (if you plan on changing it).  Look at your state DMV as they are all different in regards to when you can and cannot get a DL and how long it's valid for.  Also plan on issues if your vehicle is not fully paid off. 

[Lemonslice 4,852]

On 6/19/2017 at 6:32 PM, Cryssiekins said:

You have up to a year to import your vehicle duty-free.  I STILL have ON plates and Canadian insurance bc I am having some ultra difficulties with Chrysler :-/ 

I am curious, are you still insured in Canada as a non-resident, or are you insured in the USA with a foreign car?  I can't remember how long I had, but the limits imposed by my insurer was a bit stressful when I moved. 

[Cryssiekins 976]

19 minutes ago, Lemonslice said:

I am curious, are you still insured in Canada as a non-resident, or are you insured in the USA with a foreign car?  I can't remember how long I had, but the limits imposed by my insurer was a bit stressful when I moved. 

Canadian insurance.  They increased the premium significantly in order to cover me.  I can't find an insurer here.  My car is financed and that seems to throw everyone for a loop.  I send my car payments to my brother and the loan is paid from his account.  The funny thing is, my car loan is through an American based company but they are unable to rewrite the loan here, so I'm waiting for my credit score to build a little higher and then either refinance it here or just get a new car and let my brother take this one. 

 

The car was not even on my radar of things to be stressed about but is by far causing me the most grief.  I don't even really need it.  I live within walking distance of work.  I just have it to boot around when my husband is at work (we're on opposite shifts) and I get bored.  

[zilchfox 296]

On 6/19/2017 at 6:32 PM, Cryssiekins said:

Most states I think have a reciprocal agreement with Canadian provinces so you should be able to surrender your Canadian one for a state issued one.

I wish that were the case honestly, but I think it's mainly just the states that border Canada that do, with the odd one here or there that does, too. In Georgia, I unfortunately had to take both a written test to get my learner's permit AND then the next day my drivers' test to get my full license. It didn't cost much for me to do, but it still sucked to have to do those tests over again, I'm just glad I passed both tests the first time. They didn't seem to care about my Canadian drivers license, and didn't want me to give it to them, so I have it sitting in a sock drawer at home now.

 

[Marzena & Stephen 544]

1 hour ago, zilchfox said:

I wish that were the case honestly, but I think it's mainly just the states that border Canada that do, with the odd one here or there that does, too. In Georgia, I unfortunately had to take both a written test to get my learner's permit AND then the next day my drivers' test to get my full license. It didn't cost much for me to do, but it still sucked to have to do those tests over again, I'm just glad I passed both tests the first time. They didn't seem to care about my Canadian drivers license, and didn't want me to give it to them, so I have it sitting in a sock drawer at home now.

 

Interesting. I have heard others say they had to retake the exam. I should try reaching out to the DMV in Chicago and ask. I tried in the past but apparently I contacted the incorrect DMV (it was a company vs the registry office I guess? weird?)

 

[zilchfox 296]

1 hour ago, Marzena & Stephen said:

Interesting. I have heard others say they had to retake the exam. I should try reaching out to the DMV in Chicago and ask. I tried in the past but apparently I contacted the incorrect DMV (it was a company vs the registry office I guess? weird?)

 

I found some info that it looks like you'll have to take the written and vision exam for Illinois if you hold a Canadian license, but that's it. That info was from 2012, however.

[Marzena & Stephen 544]

3 hours ago, zilchfox said:

I found some info that it looks like you'll have to take the written and vision exam for Illinois if you hold a Canadian license, but that's it. That info was from 2012, however.

Its too bad there isnt a cleae written website that has updated info