Canadians getting Driver Licence

[cruiser81 0]

Hi fellow Vjers,

Today i went over to the local DMV to apply for a new licence.... I showed them my passport, and they saw the I-94 with an expiry of 3 months from when i entered. They said they can only give me a licence till the I-94 Expires.... i explained K-1 is for a permanent resident status... I couldnt really argue with them because i couldnt prove it.

Do most K-1 peopl get it for the 3 month period or is there anything I could show them to give me a normal licence.

Thanks!

Cruiser

[giraffemd 0]

all states differ, but this is what happened to me in Minnesota. I went to the DMV and wrote a test, then they gave me a DL that expired the same day as the I-94. I had to take my NOA from the application for AOS, and when they saw that they extended my DL until August 06...at which time I will have my EAD which is a proof of residence. I had a SSN but they would not accept that as proof of legal residence. So when you apply for your AOS just take the NOA to the DMV and see if that will get you an extension, unless you have your EAD..that will work..well here in MN anyway...good luck.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

How long does your Canadian licence have till expiry?

One approach (admittedly, runs afoul of the state's 30 day rule) is to simply retain the Canadian licence till it expires. Many states DO allow a temp visa holder to do so, restrictively.

[tommysgirl 0]

Does anyone know if when I move to Wisconsin on my K3 will I have to re do my drivers lic. or will I get one by showing my Ontario Lic. Would having an international lic. help.

I'm getting so ahead of my self but want to be prepared. Still waiting for 129f NOA2. Oh well better prepared than not.

Thanks

[Reba 2]

your best bet is to check the DMV website for the state you are moving to. Very few anymore will just exchange a Canadian driver's license for a US one. Having an international license doesn't usally matter one way or another according to state laws if they require you take a test, you take a test.

In NC I had to pass the computer and visual/sign recognition test before I could get a driver's license, and I had to satisfy their residency requirements. But I didn't need to take the road test, tho technically it is required, its up to the agent to waive it or not. I brought with me my (clean) driving record from Ontario to show them, you might want to have that done before you leave your home province (called driver abstract, I think it cost me $12 at the licensing office in my hometown). I got an 8 year NC license.

Which is transferable to Wisconsin strangely enough (we're moving to Wisconsin in June)

[Velvettt 0]

The answer really is "depends on who is working the DMV counter". The Texas website said I had to start from scratch with a written test, road test etc, however when I went in, they just took my Ontario license and gave me a Texas one on the spot. Also, while I don't recommend breaking the rules, I waited almost a year before going in... I was scared of the road test...

[Cassie 8]

I was allowed to exchange my valid Canadian DL for an Oklahoman one (after filling out the paperwork, doing the eye test, and presenting my green card). The girls at the tag office were amused at my Nova Scotia DL because "it was prettier than ours" -- and it is!

Methinks it depends on the state, office, and DMV person you talk to! there seems to be little rhyme or reason to it.

[happyimmigrant 0]

I was allowed to exchange my valid Canadian DL for an Oklahoman one (after filling out the paperwork, doing the eye test, and presenting my green card). The girls at the tag office were amused at my Nova Scotia DL because "it was prettier than ours" -- and it is!

Methinks it depends on the state, office, and DMV person you talk to! there seems to be little rhyme or reason to it.

Many years ago (15 or so, I think) when I was in Georgia, I went to get my Georgia license. I showed my Ontario DL, they had me do a simple multiple choice test, and handed me my Georgia DL. A year later, I exchanged it in Maryland for a Maryland DL, no questions asked. I hung onto my Ontario DL, as I was going back there (eventually).

[Amy and Brian 1]

When I moved to Texas at age 16, I had my Ontario G1 and they let me trade it in for a learner's permit without having to take the written test or anything. I did have to surrender my G1 to the Texas DMV though. Three years later, when I returned to Canada with a full Texas DL, I almost had some issues trading it in at the MTO. They wanted to give me a G2 instead of of full G because I had had my Texas DL for less than two years. I was a bit pissed because I really had no desire to take a driving test again as those things make me rather nervous. Lucky for me, when the lady at the MTO printed out my temp license (to use until the actual card was mailed to me) it gave me full G status and when she questioned her supervisor about it he said that if the computer says I get a G, then I get a G!

Of course, if figures I've not used the darn thing for anything other than ID up here as my car didn't come with me from Texas. And with that, I'm off to look up DMV information for Ohio. *crosses fingers* I really hope they'll let me trade in my DL so I don't have to take a driving test again!

[Reba 2]

Many years ago (15 or so, I think) when I was in Georgia, I went to get my Georgia license. I showed my Ontario DL, they had me do a simple multiple choice test, and handed me my Georgia DL. A year later, I exchanged it in Maryland for a Maryland DL, no questions asked. I hung onto my Ontario DL, as I was going back there (eventually).

most States allow State to State exchange of driver's licenses. However, keeping a foreign or other State license is I believe in most states illegal, as this could be used as an alternate if your State license is suspended or revoked for driving violations or other reason.

Even if your Canadian license is still valid for several years when you move to the US, legally is supposed to be turned in to the DMV when you get your state license. Most provinces will just exchange a US license for a Canadian one with little to no hassle if/when you move back to Canada.

[tamz 0]

When I got my license here in Alabama, All I had to do was a vision test, and they took a copy of my Ontario drivers license, passport, SSN and I-94. My AL drivers license doesnt expire until 2009.

[Cassie 8]

Many years ago (15 or so, I think) when I was in Georgia, I went to get my Georgia license. I showed my Ontario DL, they had me do a simple multiple choice test, and handed me my Georgia DL. A year later, I exchanged it in Maryland for a Maryland DL, no questions asked. I hung onto my Ontario DL, as I was going back there (eventually).

most States allow State to State exchange of driver's licenses. However, keeping a foreign or other State license is I believe in most states illegal, as this could be used as an alternate if your State license is suspended or revoked for driving violations or other reason.

Even if your Canadian license is still valid for several years when you move to the US, legally is supposed to be turned in to the DMV when you get your state license. Most provinces will just exchange a US license for a Canadian one with little to no hassle if/when you move back to Canada.

Yep, that's exactly what they told me -- hand over your old license, you can't have multiple forms of DLs -- especially since my Canadian DL was in my maiden name. When I was waiting in the office for some paperwork to be processed, another woman was being severly questioned about having two Arizona DLs in different names. So methinks in the light of security issues, all previous DLs have to be turned in and you can only have in your possession the DL of the state you are currently residing in.

[KiminON 0]

oh fer cryin' out loud. checking the Louisina DMV site, the only countries they have agreements with are Germany & Switzerland! whats up with that?! we are supposed to be the US's best friends.

oh well, i guess the time between the wedding and waiting for my EAD will be spent brushing up on state driving laws.

k

[Jersey Girl 2]

Recent experience in New Jersey. Had to do vision and knowledge (computer) tests but no road test. They never asked me to hand in my Ontario driver's license or plates (when I registered my imported car). Proving one's identity, citizenship, and address, however, is the bigger hurdle. Be sure your name appears exactly the same on everything, especially if you have a middle name.

Getting car insurance in Jersey was twice as expensive as Toronto. Perhaps because I added my husband, who only has a G1 in Ontario.