Hi!

I am currently going through the K1 visa process and I was wondering if some canadians here know what the procedure would be for me to obtain a US driver's license once I move to the US (I have a canadian driver's license)? Would I have to retake any tests?

Thanks!!

Yohann

It depends on the state.

I live in Oklahoma. Since I had a valid Canadian DL at the time, I only had to complete the visual test, and give up my Canadian DL.

Other states require written, driving, and visual, or combinations of the three. What state will you be moving to? That will help us help you better.

I would be moving to Florida.

im sure the Floridians will chime in!! Probably still sleeping, they are a relaxed bunch!! until then check out DMV.org, or do a search on VJ, I know it has been brought up in the past. best of luck

in Illinois, all i have to do is take a written test and an eye test to get my license here.. (its pretty much like taking your learners exam) lol

Luckie ducky!!!!


I know the Floridians will chime in here later, but I do believe it's quite straightforward in FL due to all the Snowbirds.. they are pretty CDN licence friendly from what I've read!!

You will probably need proof of residency though (some type of mail that is delivered to a FL address - bill, statement etc).. so you could work on that ahead of time! I used my SSN card and envelope, and a bank statement I believe here in CT.

Easy peasey in Florida for Canadians. (Yeah, I was in bed, guys. We didn't get in until early this morning after a wild flight.)

Yomtl, go to the Florida DMV site for a little bit of light reading, and make an appointment at your closest office online. Since you are immigrating you will need to show them the I-797 receipt notice from your AOS. (Other Canadians can just apply and get it.) Until that time you can drive around on your Canadian license. I think there's an old post here of mine, somewhere, talking about it. Don't have time to look at the moment but feel free. Also feel free to ask me any questions.

Basically it's a straight exchange..... you just show them your Canadian license and they issue you a Florida license. No tests involved; no trading in of licenses. (In other words, you get to keep your Canadian license... unlike some States who make you turn it in.) You can thank the snowbirds for that one.

Lucky!!
I read on the NJ website I have to give mine up. That blows!
I can't drive around with it? sigh....
I don't want to give my Canadian one up!!!
BOO HOO!
What if I move back home? Then what??? Will I have to start all over again?

Tell them you are required to turn it in to the Canadian DMV so you need it back. Tell them they have no authority or jurisdiction to confiscate another country's property. Try Carla's trick of sneaking it off the counter while they're otherwise occupied. Do what you can to keep it. If they do take it, go to the Canadian DMV and report it lost.

The guy at the Canadian passport office told me to keep my Ontario license renewed no matter what. (He's an immigrant from France.) He said it is much harder to have to go about getting a new one than it is to maintain the current one. I envision moving back home, also, and I do not want to have to go through the same crap there that I'm going through here. Enough is enough.

Hey Laura,

I was wondering about NJ too. I found the following link that says new residents have to give up their foreign licenses but that temporary residents / non-citizens don't have to give up their licenses. I'm not sure where permanent residents, but non-citizens fall. You might be able to show them this page (with the line at the bottom) and at least confuse them into letting them keep your licence!


http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Licenses/LicensesNon-Citizens.htm

My Canadian license expired in July '07 (I still have it) and I thought about renewing it if/when we head up in May. For those of you who have renewed your Canadian licenses since immigrating to the US, what address do you have on it? I wouldn't think they'd allow you to put your US address on it so basically you'd have to lie, right?

Kudos to Gypsyangel for an inspired workaround suggestion.

Sweet!
Thanks guys!!!
I'm going to try everything I can to keep it.

For me in Louisiana- I have to take the written and the driving exam. I have the book to study and have been procrastinating about it. I think I am more nervous about it now than I was a teen getting my license for the first time.

I know what you mean - I had to do the same in Georgia. I only missed one question on the written - and that was about how soon I had to notify them of changing an address on the license - I put the out of state answer rather than the in state answer (which was actually more generous!) and did perfect on the driving test. If you have been driving for a while, you will be fine. Good luck.

Good to know! So, in Georgia I'll need to do both the writen and driving test. How long can I drive with my Canadian license before I have to get the Georgia one? Also, how did the process work for the writen and driving test? Could I write the test one day and return to do the driving one the next day if they weren't too busy?

There have been different answers given on that first question - I was told when I arrived that I was allowed to drive for a year on my Canadian license. Joel was told that he couldn't use his Canadian license once he became a resident of Georgia and had to wait. I didn't have enough time left on my I-94 when I first went - which is when they told me I could drive for a year. When I received my EAD I went and got the Georgia license. You will need to have a SSN in order to obtain a Georgia DL, proof of your residency in Georgia I used a joint bank statement with my name and address on it) and proof of your legal immigrant status. I am not sure how they are treating the I-94s these days as they only have a 90 day validity. You will have to surrender your Canadian license, however, when they give you your Georgia one as in Georgia it is illegal to have two Driver's Licenses in your possession. (And yes, people have argued that they have no right to demand your foreign license - you can hold on to it if you wish - they just won't give you a Georgia license!).

You do the whole thing at one time - the written test is actually done on a computer where you sit and answer the questions on the screen. They do the vision test at the same time, then you wait until they have an available examiner and do the driving portion.

One thing - they are never not too busy. Allow yourself a minimum of half a day for the process and get there very early in the day. Bring something to read:-). There will probably be a line up regardless of when you go. You can start studying the Georgia Driver's Manual now - it is available on line. Most of it is similar to Canada although there are some differences re road lines, signage, and local regulations not related to the actual driving part.

Thanks SOOOOO much for the great advice! I really appreciate it. I have no clue what I'd do without this site and the awesome people!!!

just to add my 2 cents....

We went to the DMV during lunch and no big line up....waited about 5 minutes....then again I'm out at Cocoa Beach Florida.....not a big city.

Told them I needed a FL Driver's license and they asked for:

-My passport
-Driver's license in Canada
-2 pieces of mail with my name and the address here in FL
-$25 USD ($20 for car + $5 for motorcycle)

She scanned my passport and driver's license and entered in my FL address. Asked if I ever had a DUI charge, license suspended, etc.

Then she asked if I wanted a FL State only license (this is the one where you can keep your Ontario license) <---- I went with this one

OR

The FL license which is recognized in all other States (this is the one where they take your Ontario license).

Printed out a piece of paper and said this was my temporary driver's license and that my FL State license should arrive in a week or so.

Hope this helps!

Or you could be like me and only have a beginners license from Ontario and get a full on drivers license in New Jersey without having to take a road test or anything!

THANKS DIRTY JERZ!

I had no choice, I had to give up my Canadian DL as it was in my maiden name, and apparently I can't have a whole bunch of photo ID with various names on them

In Washington State, you have to give up your Canadian lisence, and do it all! Written test, road test and I believe an eye test.

I was able to keep my Ontario license when I went to go get a AZ license. It probably helped that I had a license in MN for 20 years and had a copy of my MN driver's extract with me.

As a canadian you can get an international drivers license that is good for one year. You have don't give up your original DL. Then when what ever state you live in you could give that one up and keep your other one.

Where did you find this out? I even asked them at the DMV about this and they said there is no such thing as an international drivers license for the US.

Also, just be aware, in any state, if you are required to give up your canadian license and you refuse to, they CAN refuse to issue you a new license for that state.

It is just called an international drivers license. It is not specific to the usa. I found this
What exactly is an IDP?
The IDP provides a conversion of your Canadian provincial driver's licence into a universal driving classification, allowing you to drive a vehicle in a foreign country without further tests or applications. This permit was authorized especially for tourists by a 1949 UN treaty among nations of the world. It is proof that you possess a valid driver's licence, issued by a competent authority in Canada, and is only valid when used in conjunction with a valid Canadian provincial driver's licence.


What are the additional advantages of the IDP?
An IDP provides you with an extra form of photo identification, as well as providing a translation of your valid Canadian driver's licence into 10 different languages. Most international car rental agencies will request an IDP, even though one may not be required to drive in their country.


What do I need to know about re-applying for an IDP?
If you have a current IDP and are re-applying, please remember to allow sufficient time for you to receive your IDP to ensure that your current one will not expire.


What you'll need to get an IDP?
You can only receive an IDP if you are 18 years of age or older, and hold a valid Canadian provincial driver's licence. An IDP cannot be issued for provisional, learner's or suspended licences, or for any category of vehicle which is not presently covered by that same provincial driver's licence. In addition to meeting the above conditions, you will require:



An IDP fee payment of $15.00 - This fee can be paid by cash, Visa or MasterCard; AMA Members in good standing may also pay by cheque made payable to AMA.
If applying by mail, then payment must be either by money order or certified cheque drawn on a Canadian bank payable to the Alberta Motor Association (Note: AMA can not accept personal cheques from non-members). If you require the IDP to be sent by regular mail, please enclose an additional $7.00 CAD (including GST) for Canadian addresses or $13.00 CAD (including GST) for addresses in the United States. (AMA can only send IDP's by registered mail). If you require the IDP to be sent overseas, please contact us as the cost of delivery will vary depending on the destination.
Credit card numbers along with expiry date, signature of person named on card and letter authorizing us to charge the credit card for the cost of the IDP and shipping may be enclosed at your own risk.
A completed and signed CAA IDP application form - Applications may be done in person at any AMA centre or CAA office.If you are unable to visit a CAA office, you may print a copy of the application form and, once completed and signed, mail it in to your local AMA centre along with your passport-sized photos, fee payment and photocopy (front and back) of your valid Canadian provincial driver's licence.

How long does it take to get an IDP?
If you visit an AMA centre, we can process an IDP for you in about fifteen minutes.* The information on your IDP must match the information on your Alberta driver's license. If you need to update the address on your Alberta driver's license, it will take a minimum of 2 weeks for the update to be made. We recommend that you visit our centre 2 -3 weeks prior to your departure to ensure that we are able to issue your permit. If your IDP is being mailed, you should allow at least three weeks for the IDP to reach you.

wish i had this information 2 years ago! thanks though, interesting to know

In Virginia you just go in but they are really strict with what identification you can use to get the new license. I had to hand over my Ontario license and then do a vision test and that was it, received my VA license. They only issued it for a 1 year period, and upon renewal I had to show them my I-797C for applying for AOS and then they have renewed it again for another year. Once I take in my green card they will extend it. Pretty simple but a lot of proof of residing in Virginia though, and a long line up.

so basically you cant drive in any other states?


good choice

I still haven't gone and I haven't been studying for it. I need a swift kick in the butt.

Earmuffs, is there some reason why you insist on being so offensive? Can you step back from yourself for a minute and have a little think about others having the ability to make their own life choices, based on their own life situations, using their own personal information that they have at hand and you do not, before you post, please? Thank you.

T.O_2_FL, I wasn't aware there were two types of licenses in Florida. I know my local DMV hadn't said anything to me about it. I rented a car in Denver and gave them my Florida license and they were fine with that. I've just received the renewal notice in the mail so I'll be sure to ask them when I go down there.

I just wanted tp put this out there about the IDP....

http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/scams/license.asp


************************

http://www.drunkdrivingdefense.com/nationa...ers-license.htm

Here in Ohio you need to take the written and driving test to switch out your license. I'm so not happy about that! I went awhile back to do the switch, thinking I only had to take the written test, and afterward was told by the BMV official (yes... B... Ohio is weird) that Canada was not on their "list" of countries who can just switch out licenses. Apparently Germany and Japan are on this special list... but not Canada, who's roads actually travel over the border

As for keeping a Canadian license... I'm not sure what the point would be. Unless things have changed, in Ontario at least it is really rather simple to get a license back if you were to move there again. I lived in Texas for three years and got my first license there... when I moved back to Ontario to live they switched my Texas license out for a full G license without any tests at all.

Yeah but this is Colorado where 10 years ago I walked to the DMV kiosk in the mall and handed over my Ont drivers licence, filled out a form, and waited 10 mins and got my full Colorado licence. Never once looked for a passport or my work status or anything. Of course that was 10 years ago so it's probably changed a lot here now too (no more mall kiosks). Anyways, we're not as strict I don't think as a lot of other states are, and not sure we even have a temp licence at all?

Colorado is amazing. Hands down the nicest and most laid-back people I have ever met. I should have smuggled back some of those passing-lane-only signs and brought them back to Florida. It was so nice to be driving normally again.

Nope they told me I would just use my Ontario license in the other states out of Florida. I only really needed the FL license to get insurance for a car.

I think maybe the state of FL has different types of licenses since there are so many Snow Birds that come down here and may need the FL license to get insurance for a U.S vehicle?

Good point.

so what really is the point of having the Ontario one?

If you move back there all you would have to do is trade in your FL one?

Well I could see holding onto your Canadian license for certain circumstances. My fiance and I were pulled over by a cop for rolling through a stop sign and he let her off with a warning once she handed the officer her Nova Scotia license. I think having one is better than nothing at all, but I wouldn't suggest anyone get too "comfortable" with one and get a legal/official one as soon as legal and feasible. Also, can anyone point me in a useful direction for scooters? She has one, its 49.4cc which is under the minimum 50cc listed as a motorcycle. Therefore, I think she will be able to simply get a standard automobile operator license and not need special endorsement. Any help wouuld be apprecaited, hope I'm not hijacking the thread. If so, my apologies.

Well I plan on visiting back home and renting a car there or even driving our car up there....I mean it's not mandatory that I take the 'All States' driver's license and there is no cost difference so we thought why not keep a part of 'home'. I guess I'm just sentimental like that...if it's not going to hurt anything then why not.

No, if I move back to Ontario I do not need to trade in my FL one. I can keep both.

I don't know about the U.S. but I know in Ontario that in order to operate a scooter you need a motorcycle license....49.4 cc...best to check on the DMV site?