Well, I've been driving on my Saskatchewan Driver's License, awaiting my GC as I didn't want to get it earlier, and have it expire on me. So, I phoned DMV to ask what I needed to do, and they advised a road sign recognition test and vision test. I'm like....ALRIGHT!!

So on Friday, Gene had the day off, and I thought he should go with me, because I'd have to surrender my DL from SK and if I didn't pass something, I'd be SOL for getting back home here!

So off we go...I'm armed to the teeth. I have my SSN (in my married name), GC, passport, marriage license, utility bill to show residence...think that's about it.

Well, I go and tell them what I'm there for, and find out I need to take a road sign recognition test, a vision test, AND a written exam ANDDDDDDDD a driving test!!!!!

I am NOT a happy camper! I'm almost 50 years old, and the last time I had these tests was when I was 16!

And it so happened that the car we came in to the office, was the one that Gene uses all the time (I've only driven it about 3 times since I've been here). I usually drive the 1/4 ton, and it's standard. Gene's car is automatic. *sigh*

But now I'm really freaked!! What if I don't pass?! Then I went from being freaked to angry... In all the years I've driven, I've never had an accident, or a ticket even! But that doesn't matter...I've never had a US DL so I have to do all of this....

Anyway, (what a saga eh?) I passed everything!

Had a horrible HORRIBLE picture taken for my license And received a temporary license at the office. My REAL license will come after they've checked my SSN and greencard out she said. Whatever the heck that means!

I told my kids this story back in SK and they laughed and laughed. They said they knew I'd pass...but thought it was funny that I had to go through all of that.

Carla

Strange, Was told the same thing... I need to do the written test too and the eye examination but they waive the road test if I have a valid Ontario Drivers license and surrender it/ However all I need is 2 forms of ID and a valid I-94 to get a drivers license.

u should have moved to VA, simple exchange of drivers license! Even kept my motorcycle endorsement. Congrats, not sure I could pass a written and a driving test,lol

Yeah every state does it dsifferently. When I got mine years back, I walked into the DMV at the mall at one of their booths they used to have set up. Handed over my Ontario licence, did a vision test and then got my Colorado licence right there. Too about 15 mins total and most of that was just waiting on my licence to print out...

hehehe me neither! Fortunately I only had the vision test, and had to give them my NS DL card.

Congrats Carla on getting your DL!!

I have to do the whole exam too. I'm not very happy about it.

I picked up a book to study for it. I'm waiting to get my SSN before I go and do it though.

I've never even had a driver's license but I do have a state ID. Anyway as for the checking your SSN and GC, some State DMVs (not all) check for legal presence so they need to run the EAD or GC through "SAVE" just like the SSA and they also check the validity of your SSN.

When I went to get my state ID, the lady was super nice until I showed her my forms of ID and then her attitude totally changed... (Canadian passport, EAD). Didn't know WTF that was all about except she either didn't like Canadians or any immigrants... geesh.

Er, where was I. ANYWAY... congrats Carla and hopefully you'll get your "real" DL in the mail soon.

In Illinois I went with my EAD. I took the written test and the eye exam, but they handed me the real license right away and gave me back my Quebec license...

Why can't they have the same way for each state??? I understand they don't have the same laws, but to the point where one has only to exchande the DL and the other has to do all the tests.......that's absurd!

But anyways, Congrats Carla!!!!!

That sucks!!!!! North Dakota is a simple exchange.....thank goodness. I have a Class 1 (CDL down here) and I don't think I could do that test again. I have confirmed with them on a number of occasions that I won't have to take a semi out for a drive...lol. I haven't drove in years. I just like knowing that I can if I have to!
Not sure why every state/province just can't be the same?!?!?

Bleh. What a pain in the butt, Carla. Luckily, I live in a State where I could just apply and receive.

I just had to take my driven test in CA. Didn't need proof of anything. I just had to show my passport and I got a DL.

I think it's simply silly to have Canadians re-taking road tests considering some of us go through graduated licensing programs! In Ontario I had to get my G-1, then my G-2, then a G. Each had tests and with each i paid more and more money (and the prov. government laughed all the way to the bank). So why, when the rules of driving, including signs, are practically identical, do Canadians have to get re-tested in some states is beyond me.

I can't get my NJ driver's license until I'm ready to register my vehicle (it will happen soon) so I don't know what I'm going to have to do besides providing many forms of ID like a GC. All I know is it will be a sad day when I remove my ontario plates

Agreed 100%. BC has the L and N and Class 5 system. I had to go through that nightmare then I had to take a road test here. Felt like I was teaching the driver with me (who looked younger than I) how to drive. Passed flawlessly.

I can understand testing those who are new to cars, but UK/Most Euro/Canadians?

Congratulations, Carla! Woohoo!

Heh, having to take another road test would bring back traumatic memories. I hit a parked car parallel parking the first time I took mine when I was 17. How embarrassing is that? I had to take it again driving something a lot smaller than my parents' enormous 1970-something Impala.

Now the thing is.... who will be brave enough to get in the car with Carla at the wheel ?????????? KIDDING!!! Congrats sister!
I hate driving, but Bren is insisting on me taking the exam and all that jazz - arghh. I guess he's tired of being mah chauffeur??????

Yeah it's not like Canadian road rules are any different....The only difference so far for me between Quebec and Illinois is that when an emergency car comes around, in Quebec we move out of his way as much as possible but we continue driving...here everybody has to come to a complete stop or slow down until the emergency car is passed.

As for UK drivers, I don't know if there is a big difference to learn to drive on the other side of the road Maybe I should pop in the UK section and ask

haha you brat!!

Carla

I can see them wanting a knowledge exam for signs and stuff, but a thorough driving test? Bleh. I'm hoping that PA will allow me to transfer my Class 5 BC license when I move over. The graduated licensing program was enough testing, thank you!

The signs are pretty much identical though so even knowing road signs is silly. If you can't read them than that's a problem.

And I think people from the UK should be re-tested. My grand dad let me try it years and years ago and it was almost motion-sickening! haha

I hear ya Carla. I have to do the complete routine also to get my drivers license here in Spokane. I was reading their site ( DMV ) and they have it written right in there drivers from Canada must do the road test. Do we have a bad driving reputation in WA. State lol lol

Hey, I had a '72(?) Impala convertible! That thing was HUGE. With the size of parking spaces these days I'm not surprised you hit something.

My friend hit a pedestrian when she took her road test.

I guess that's an automatic fail huh?

tee hee.. I remember a friend of mine in High School hit 2 different pedestrians on 2 different driving tests.. he failed both times. 3rd time was a charm though!!

That made me feel better about it. I'd rather hit a car than a pedestrian. For the record, I still don't know how to parallel park. That Impala was really cool. I'd like to get married in one of those at one of those drive-up wedding windows in Vegas and say to heck with inviting anyone to a wedding reception.

I've lived in 6 different states and I think they all made me take a written test but not a road test each time I moved. The pictures got progressively worse, too! There are some differences from state to state or province to province, so that makes sense. The irony in having to take a road test for moving from Canada is you can go rent a car in New Zealand with your Canadian or American driver's license even though their road rules really are different (aside from driving on the left they have some really quirky left turn right-of-way rule).

My husband always laughs when he goes to Canada and sees the flashing green advance arrow at an intersection.. for some reason he thinks it's rediculous to have a flashing light!

when I (USC) first started driving in Canada, I experienced this... an emergency vehicle was approaching, I pulled over to the right hand side of the road and came to a complete stop, others cars kept on driving and someone even honked at me!..LOL..I was shocked!, when I got home and told my husband...he told me that you CAN keep driving just go slower!!,

other things that we disagree on are, school zones...its a BIG fine in Nevada if you dont obey the school zone, here, at least here in Brampton, no one obeys the signs (husband included)...I slow completely down, and again I get honked at.. LOL...my husband says that they are just a "suggestion" and you only slow down if you can actually see children... what?!...LOL...

one more is stop signs, my husbands rule is if they are in parking lots or residential areas, again they are just a suggestion...and you do not have to make a complete stop...?!?!...in Nevada a stop sign, is a stop sign no matter where its located!..

I am happy my husband has to retake everything when we move to Nevada, , just hoping he passes!..LOL

Ha ha your hubby sounds like my hubby (the USC).. he'd say the same things about US traffic laws..

Sounds like your hubby is just impatient.. not really well versed in traffic laws

We passed a funeral procession last weekend and i was HORRIFIED.. you NEVER pass a herse back home out of respect, but of course hubby goes flying by on the interstate.. I am always shocked when people don't stop for emergency vehicles as well.. horrified..

A flashing green advance arrow at intersections?

What the heck does that mean? I don't think I've ever seen something like that in the U.S., so I'm guessing it's a Canadian thing. I haven't driven in Canada yet, mostly because my fiancee lives in the heart of downtown within her city and feels she has no real need of a vehicle for most things.

I have trouble understanding that. I know people can get by without a car (especially if they live downtown, such as in New York), but to me... lacking the overall ability to "go where you want, when you want" would be absolutely terrible. It'd practically feel like being 12 again, where I'd have to rely on others for transportation.

No way I'd do that again!

tee hee.. See!!!! I'll have to tell my hubby.. he's convinced it's silly to have a flashing green light..

btw.. it tells the driver that the lane has the right of way.. (an advance light).. Usually found in a left turning lane

Oh, I see. I understand now. We do have something like that in the United States, but I believe it varies from state to state (just like how some states allow you to make a right turn on a red light and others don't, although even in states that allow it, it can be revoked at certain intersections for numerous reasons).

Basically, in the U.S. (or at least in Texas), we can have a "solid non-flashing green arrow" in left turn lanes, which tells the driver that it's a protected left turn. Sometimes this can get a little confusing though, as the regular light that accompanies the "solid green arrow" can either be "green" or "red" but it essentially means the same thing -- the drivers in the left lane are allowed to proceed and make a left turn without fear of oncoming traffic. Without the "solid green arrow," drivers can still make a left turn (so long as the regular light is "green" and not "yellow" or "red"), but they won't have a protected lane and will have to watch out for other drivers.

It sounds more complicated than it is, really. Of course, some people have issues with it (I'm sure there are those who have problems doing just about anything...), but for the most part, it works well. I'd still rather drive on the freeway, though. It's safer (less traffic from all directions to deal with and no pedestrians) and you can drive much faster!

As a candian you should NOT have to re do the test as an agreement the countries have.. They treat canadians as out of state...

I worked in the Canadian local government in the department of transportation...and more specifically, traffic systems. (ie. signals, pedestrian signals) Here in NJ, so many things drive me nuts. Where I come from is so much more advanced than what the actual traffic systems are here in the US. I think it has to do with money (ie. we pay lots of taxes in Canada to be able to afford great traffic engineering) and how the roads/systems are managed here. In canada, your region or city manages x-number of traffic lights. But here in NJ, it's so complicated because the towns are so small therefore, sometimes I wait 3 or 4 minutes at a light at 1am because the lights are pre-programmed. (ie. there is a box on one of the electrical posts in the intersection that has been pre-programmed to turn red, yellow and green after so many seconds)

In canada, we pay traffic engineers to study live data and change the timing of lights according to traffic back ups, road closures, etc. My dad is also a traffic engineer in the niagara area of ontario. I don't know. I guess when it comes to traffic I have had quite the up bringing so, so many things just...flabbergast me!

Well...

What happens in New Jersey (or a part of NJ) may not occur somewhere else. I know the traffic system in Houston, TX is very advanced. It has to be, considering the vast amount of drivers. Houston is the fourth largest city in the United States, therefore, if there wasn't at least a fairly advanced traffic system, things might get a little messy. So while it may be accurate to say whatever parts of New Jersey you're in aren't as advanced as where you're from in Canada, it's inaccurate to say that Canada, as a whole, is more advanced than the United States. See the difference?

Taxes may have something to do it, I'm not sure. But then again, so might city or town size. The larger the city or town, the more taxes can be collected. That makes sense, since tax revenue is generated by people and if there are less people, there is less tax income; more people, more tax income.

Sure, some areas have pre-programmed traffic lights. It's probably easiest that way and maybe the most cost efficient. But most places I've encountered use magnetic plates under the ground to trigger the lights. Many people assume these plates are actually pressure sensitive, but they're not -- as I said, they're magnetic and they're "set off" by the vehicles magnetic metal content. This usually works, except when someone is riding a motorcycle (although it can still work in this instance, it just depends how sensitive the magnetics are) or doing something rather foolish, such as riding a bicycle. Magnetic plates are almost always backed up by pre-programmed lights, in case the magnetic plates should become inoperational, this way drivers still have a way to use the traffic lights, even if that way is less than perfect.

Are there any states that don't allow you to turn right on red now? (There is a line in Annie Hall where Woody Allen's character says that the only cultural advantage of California over New York is that it allows you to turn right on red, but of course that's out of date now.) In Washington State, you can go left on red, but only if it is either from a one-way street or to a one-way street. Since I can never remember which it is, I only turn left on red if I'm going from a one-way street to another one-way street.

How well designed traffic systems are varies from city to city in both countries and the road rules and signs probably vary more by state or province than they do between Canada as a whole and the US as a whole.

To be honest, I don't really know. Every state I've been to has allowed drivers to normally make a right-hand turn on a red light; however, that doesn't mean there may not be one or two states that still disallow it. I do know that even if the state allows the driver to make a right-hand turn on a red light, you can't always do it because it won't be allowed on some streets. This is usually do to high amounts of pedestrian traffic (i.e. busy outdoor shopping centers or around universities). I suppose they figure if there's a lot of people walking back and forth in the general area, they don't want drivers squashing them. It's a little annoying, but I can understand it. I don't really want pedestrian stuck all over my grill either. That's difficult to wash off.

There is no such thing as in "united" in United states,lol Every state differs!! Another example is RRSP's canada and the USA have a tax treaty. If one has RRSP's, once can leave them in canada, fil out a form 8891 on ur USA tax returns, and the IRS wont tax u then, BUT your state may still tax you on it, some do, some don't!! the joys,lol

I don't want to toot my own horn and it wasn't my intention to mean "A is better than B". Of course things are different everywhere. But I have had the experience and have been to conferences with lots of traffic engineers from different areas of the US. They often are paying for our technology. I know a guy who crated a traffic database system and has been selling it in the US for a few years now. I have been to more than one state, and in the US unless you live in a large city,(like houston) the town/county is in charge of the lights and pedestrian signals. They don't employ anyone because they either think it's not necessary or it's another salary they don't want to pay someone.

And the magnetic plates under the ground are referred to as "loops". Loops are extremely expensive to put in and because roads in Canada are newer and being built all the time, they are easier to put in then in places in the US where the roads have been around for a very long time. The cost is extremely high. If you are having someone in an office control traffic data, at the actual intersection there are radio/satellite signals that interact with the people back at the office as well as with other mini computers often stuck into electrical posts at intersections.

I think you misread what I was trying to say. I was merely making a remark that it is a bit annoying and it is of my opinion that many places in the US, other than MAJOR cities (which in many states, they only have a couple major cities) don't have the technology or aren't willing to pay for it because they don't have the money/don't want to. Where I come from in Ontario, even if you live out in the middle of nowhere, someone is controlling your traffic light.

I understand what you're saying and you're probably right. However, there's something else to take into account. The U.S. has far more people than Canada does and most likely, many more cities and towns as well. Therefore, it's probably easier (and more feasible, as far as cost is concerned) to operate in the manner you described within Canada.

I'm sure cost is the overall factor here and with more people and more cities and towns, the cost would be much greater in the U.S. than in Canada. So with the exception of major cities (which have the overall population and tax revenue to warrant it), I'll bet the states feel it's just not necessary. That doesn't mean they are "right" in this instance, but most organizations (whether they are private or public) are always trying to "save a buck."

Another good example would Customs & Immigrations officials in airports. Canada has pre-clearance for the United States with U.S. Customs & Immigration inside Canadian airports. The U.S. has no such thing for Canadian Customs & Immigration. Why? Because there are far fewer Canadian airports with airlines that fly to the United States versus U.S. airports with airlines that fly to Canada. It's easier and less costly for Canada to set it up in Canadian airports, whereas it'd be too costly for the U.S. to set up something similar in American airports.

Yeah I never thought about the pre-clearance thing. Very true.