Exchanging US license for canadian license

[yellowmellow]

Thanks for the information everyone shared.

I'm in Vancouver. When I went to ICBC to exchange my California driver license for a Canadian one, I was asked for driving record. But I have carefully read the ICBC website and California is NOT one of the states that ICBC requires driving record for.

Anyway, I mailed for INF1125 through Canada Post express to California DMV at Sacramento along with the 5 dollars check to pay for the fee. Now my question is whether DMV will mail my driving records to my Canadian address. I'm hoping some one could share your experience. There seems to be no number to call DMV where I can get a real person to answer my question, nor is there any online service to check up the progress. Is it true that DMV only mail to US address?

 

[Karlshammar]

You can find the answer to the original question here:

" * Applicants from Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, New Jersey, South Carolina, Texas, Utah and Vermont must provide a driving abstract dated within 6 months) indicating the date the licence was first issued. The driving abstract must be an original; fax and photocopies are not acceptable.
* US IRE (Interprovincial Record Exchange) search is mandatory for all other applicants and may present a delay in processing an exchange if a successful search is not completed. It is therefore recommended that you obtain a driving record (dated within six months of your application and indicating the date the licence was first issued) to prevent any delays in processing. The driving record must be an original; Fax and photocopies are not acceptable."

There's been a significant tightening of requirements. When I exchanged my California licence only NJ and another state or two needed an abstract. The rest of them had no requirements at all except for presenting the actual licence.

I'm not sure why they did this as when I exchanged my licence they had a direct connection to the California DMV and looked up my record on the computer (they showed me the screen). Anyway, ours is not to question why, ours is but to do or die...

 

[yellowmellow]

Thanks for the elaboration, Karlshammar.

I went to ICBC in December last year and they indeed, as you described, keyed in my license number in to their computer and told me it's good. But my PR card was not ready at that time so they told me to bring it back again when my PR card arrives. When I did so in January the whole thing wasn't cool any more. It's said that ICBC no longer had access to California records and a driver's abstract is required now.

I called DMV toll free and managed to hold for 45 minutes today to finally speak to an agent, who understood my question and gave me another less difficult number to call, which is the DMV information services. Things lightened up at last after calling that number and talking to a gentleman who looked through his computer and told me my paper has been on its way since Feb 10.

According to the DMV officer, yes they mail the report anywhere in the world, via regular postal mail. Just put down the mailing address on the form.

 

[Morena]

I have a question...what about US territories driving licenses? does canada exchange them too? For example Puerto Rico?

 

[FleetingDasein]

I have a question...what about US territories driving licenses? does canada exchange them too? For example Puerto Rico?

As a Puerto Rican living in Canada, they rarely ever accept my PR driver's license.

 

[Morena]

Thanks for the reply! so that means i will have to start from the beginigng when i move to Canada. :'(

 

[FleetingDasein]

Technically, you should still be able to drive in Canada.

This is how it works in Ontario (pretty sure it is similar in other provinces):

If you are a visitor to Ontario and want to drive while you are here, you must be at least 16 years old and have a valid driver's licence from your own province, state or country. If you are from another country and visiting Ontario for more than three months, you need an International Driver's Permit from your own country or you may have to apply for an Ontario driver's licence, depending on your length of stay. You should also ensure your automobile insurance coverage is sufficient, and that you carry the original or a true copy of the vehicle registration or Certificate of Title for your vehicle.

If you are a new resident in Ontario and have a valid driver's licence from another province, state or country, you can use it for up to 60 days after you move to Ontario. If you want to keep driving in Ontario, you must get an Ontario driver's licence. You must use your Ontario licence when you are issued one. New Ontario residents have 30 days before they have to register their vehicles and get Ontario licence plates and vehicle permit. Click here for more information on Getting an Ontario Driver's Licence or Licensing a Vehicle in Ontario.

* All applicants must declare their driving experience on the driver's licence application form.
* All applicants for an Ontario driver's licence at the time of application are required to;
o present a valid foreign driver's licence (if it is not in English or French, it is to be accompanied by a written translation from a qualified translator)
o present written authentication of their foreign driving experience from the originating licensing agency, or from the Embassy, Consulate or High Commissioner's office representing the jurisdiction, in order to get credit for their driving experience.
o pass a vision test and a written knowledge test regarding Ontario's traffic rules
o pay all applicable fees
o Provide acceptable proof of identity.

Puerto Rico's driver's license is quite useless as an ID in Canada, most people look at it and think it is fake.... In other words, get used to carrying your passport until you get your Canadian driver's license.

 

[manianz47]

Hi

I will be moving to Toronto shortly from USA (Georgia). When I move I will have very little time left (validity) in my US license (about a week or so).
How much time will it take to get Canadian Driving license?
Also during the initial period (immediately on arrival), I will not have a permanent Home Address. Will the Hotel Address do ?

Any inputs appreciated...

 

[FleetingDasein]

Hi

I will be moving to Toronto shortly from USA (Georgia). When I move I will have very little time left (validity) in my US license (about a week or so).
How much time will it take to get Canadian Driving license?
Also during the initial period (immediately on arrival), I will not have a permanent Home Address. Will the Hotel Address do ?

Any inputs appreciated...

The hotel address will do. You will need a permanent address so they can mail your PR Card after arrival (assuming you are a landed immigrant).

As for the license, you US license has to be valid, so you will probably have to start from scratch. I don't know how long it takes but refer to this page: http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/

 

[PMM]

Hi

Hi

I will be moving to Toronto shortly from USA (Georgia). When I move I will have very little time left (validity) in my US license (about a week or so).
How much time will it take to get Canadian Driving license?
Also during the initial period (immediately on arrival), I will not have a permanent Home Address. Will the Hotel Address do ?

Any inputs appreciated...

1. I suggest you renew your Georgia license first. Although you can apply in Ontario if the license is expired less than a year.
2. For the exchange see: http://www.drivetest.ca/en/license/OutOfCountryDrivers.aspx

 

[manianz47]

Hi PMM/FleetingDasein
Thanks a lot for the inputs.
My US License will be valid (for at least a week more) when I land in Toronto.
I cannot extend that in USA. I already have PR card. I need the license only.
The link is very useful.

Regards

 

[anushauc]

Hi PMM/FleetingDasein
Thanks a lot for the inputs.
My US License will be valid (for at least a week more) when I land in Toronto.
I cannot extend that in USA. I already have PR card. I need the license only.
The link is very useful.

Regards

Just make sure you have a permanent address and the address proof required AND you have the transfer completed in that 1 week period before your US license expires.

If I remember right they need 2 or 3 address proofs which would include you bank statement & ...

Remember to get the DMV letter on your license from your state in the US as that will also be required.

All the best and best of luck..

 

[AllisonVSC]

Go to the nearest DriveTest Center when you arrive bringing your DMV record and your insurance claims report (10 year history for both if you can get them).

You will have to take the vision test and possibly another test, but if all is well they should issue a temporary (paper license) right away. The real one will come in the mail about 8-10 days later.

At least this was my experience in Nov 2009. They did accept my expired license but it may have been due to a long strike of the Drivetest workers. I do not remember if I needed proof(s) of Ontario address, but I did bring my passport with me.

Where in Georgia are you from? I'm from Charleston, South Carolina and now live in Mississauga near the Pearson airport. Allison

 

[manianz47]

Hi AllisonVSC
Thanks a lot for the info.
I am from Atlanta and will be moving to Toronto towards May 2011 end...

 

[Shinygirl]

Nice and informative post.... thanks a lot