Can I drive with my US license if I extended my stay?

[lleahdoll]

Hello! It's been quite a bit since I've posted on the forum. We're kind of in limbo right now trying to find a way to get a medical done (got FBI papers, and everything else is in place).
Anyways, so I extended my stay as a visitor for one year. I know as a visitor to Canada I can drive a car with my US license for 6 months... now since I never left and just stayed in Canada to extend my stay... does that somehow extend me using my US license to drive around or since I've been here now more than 6 months consecutively can I not drive anymore?
I automatically assumed I can't drive anymore but I'm curious if there's some way around that?

 

[Ponga]

Why not just exchange your US license for a Canadian licence?

If you've been in Canada for more than 6 months, you are supposed to do this anyway.

 

[JessNess]

Why not just exchange your US license for a Canadian licence?

If you've been in Canada for more than 6 months, you are supposed to do this anyway.

I am here on a visitor visa in Alberta. I actually tried to change my California license to an Alberta one, but the worker at the auto center I went to told me I cannot change it until I have: permanent resident card or proof of living status in Canada. Apparently in Alberta, as a tourist, you cannot change your license until you provide extensive proof that you are now part of the system officially.

http://www.servicealberta.ca/1305.cfm

http://www.servicealberta.ca/1741.cfm

I'm sure you're fine to drive as long as you renewed your visitor extension properly.

 

[screech339]

Every province has different rules in how to exchange driver's licence. I think most provinces required that the applicant has at least AIP stage before being able to exchange it. However Ontario is the exception to the rule. Immigration status of the applicant has no bearing in the drivers licence exchange. As long as your US driver licence is valid, provide proof of driving history (insurance record and abstract) you can swap them.

Strange as that is, since it is the same ontario service center that provide application for OHIP and they want AIP status first to qualify.

Screech339

 

[JessNess]

Hello! It's been quite a bit since I've posted on the forum. We're kind of in limbo right now trying to find a way to get a medical done (got FBI papers, and everything else is in place).
Anyways, so I extended my stay as a visitor for one year. I know as a visitor to Canada I can drive a car with my US license for 6 months... now since I never left and just stayed in Canada to extend my stay... does that somehow extend me using my US license to drive around or since I've been here now more than 6 months consecutively can I not drive anymore?
I automatically assumed I can't drive anymore but I'm curious if there's some way around that?

Which province are you in? Any AMA center should be able to tell you what you need and if you even qualify

 

[lleahdoll]

I'm visiting in Quebec.
Honestly I wouldn't feel comfortable exchanging my license. What if (god forbid) my PR got denied and I had to go back to the states? I'd only have a Quebec license then... that'd be silly.

 

[scylla]

I'm visiting in Quebec.
Honestly I wouldn't feel comfortable exchanging my license. What if (god forbid) my PR got denied and I had to go back to the states? I'd only have a Quebec license then... that'd be silly.

If you're not willing to exchange your license - then your only legal option is to stop driving.

 

[truesmile]

If you're in Quebec, you're gonna need a Quebec Health Card to get a DL. So if you don't have that yet or can't get one, I'd say you're in the same boat as our Alberta friend. You're still just visiting . . . keep on truckin'.

 

[lleahdoll]

If you're not willing to exchange your license - then your only legal option is to stop driving.

Well, I've already stopped driving. I stopped driving the day I was here 6 months + 1 day. I wouldn't want to risk it.

If you're in Quebec, you're gonna need a Quebec Health Card to get a DL. So if you don't have that yet or can't get one, I'd say you're in the same boat as our Alberta friend. You're still just visiting . . . keep on truckin'.

Ah, well I can't get that until I become a PR anyways, so I guess it's all moot.

 

[rhinogirl88]

Have you looked into getting an international driver's permit through AAA?

 

[lleahdoll]

Have you looked into getting an international driver's permit through AAA?

Nope. What are the requirements? I actually don't own a car. I just have my driver's license. SO does that make a difference?

 

[screech339]

Nope. What are the requirements? I actually don't own a car. I just have my driver's license. SO does that make a difference?

Depending on your age, if you are 30 and over, you can drive any insured car in Canada even with a US drivers licence.

 

[QuebecOkie]

I drove on my OK drivers license until a couple of months after I got PR (also in Québec, as you know). You're a US citizen visiting here, and you're driving on a valid US drivers license.

Pretty sure they wanted my PR paperwork when I went to the SAAQ to exchange my license, anyhow. Interesting note: I didn't request a driving record from OK, yet the SAAQ was able to give me credit for 3 years of driving (I'd been licensed in OK for around 18 years at that time - wow, that makes me feel OLD!). My husband, who'd been licensed previously in Ontario for over a decade, then licensed in OK for 9 months (long story short, his ON license expired while he was posted to OK), ONLY got credit for the 9 months he was licensed in OK. I teased him a lot about his "permit probatoire." I just find it amusing that Québec communicates more readily with my home state than their neighboring province.

 

[lleahdoll]

I just am not sure since the law is you can only drive on your home country's license for 6 months.
I also read something that said you can only drive if you have car insurance... well I don't even have a car. I have never owned a car, just have my license...

Hmmm.. I've had mine for 4 years so I wonder how much that would translate to? I read if you've been driving more than 2 years I think that's when you can exchange your license for a Quebec one (once you're a PR of course).

 

[QuebecOkie]

The length of time you've been licensed isn't about when you can exchange it for a Québec license, it's about how much "credit" Québec gives you, and whether they'll give you a full license or a probationary one. Hubby had a probationary license for a while.

I was insured the whole time, listed on hubby's insurance policy with my US drivers license. I think you have to exchange your license within six months after becoming a PR.