Do they take old drivers license?

[MOM1211]

Does anyone know if when I apply for my license here if they will take my Canadian DL from me, like when you get a new license in a different province, they take your old one? I have tried calling the DMV but I couldn't get through.

[PraetorianXI]

I don't think so. They did not take my Venezuelan License, even though it was not transferable.

[JnJ*8103]

When my husband got his Michigan license when we got married (before they made you have your immigration papers etc.) they punched a hole in it and stapled a paper to it saying he applied for a MI license/

[MOM1211]

Thanks, It looks like I wont be getting a license here, EVER. They want me to take a written AND road test and I can't risk failing because I have kids I absolutely need to drive places, even though I've never gotten a ticket in my life, should I fail it for some weird reason, I'm in trouble.

[JnJ*8103]

You're going to have to take it at some point in time because once your license expires you are gong to be w/o a license.

Why not take it? If you fail you can always take it again

[TNguy78]

I would also guess that your old license might not even be valid anymore since you no longer live there. Most states have laws that state that you have 30 days from when you took up residence in that state to change you drivers license (or Certificate For Driving - as it's called in TN for us aliens). Some allow you to keep the old one if you took up temporay residence in one state and you plan on returning to your original state within one year - this is one loophole to get around the 30 day thing.

When I went to Michigan from Ontario the 1st time - they let me keep my Ontario license, but punched a hole in it. Then when I went back to Ontario, the Ontario gov't kepted my MI license. Then when I moved back to MI for a 2nd time, I think they kept my Ontario license at that time. And when I moved to TN, they kept my MI license.

From what I read - by law you may only possess one driver's license at a time, just like you can only "officially" live in one place at a time. So, even though they allowed me to keep my Ontario license the first time, when they punched a hole in it (they punched out the expiry date I think), they rendered it invalid.

[JnJ*8103]

I agree with TN Guy what I was reading you may not be licenesed at all so you may want to re-think taking the test.

[MOM1211]

I'm not a citizen, or a permanent resident that's approved, because they want my green card to apply for a license or an approval notice, and until I have a green card or an approval notice, they told me I can't apply. Since I can't legally get a license here right now anyway it has to be legal. I have 4 years left on it before it expires, so I can't imagine them saying well, you cant get a license here, but thats also invalid, because if that was the case then nobody would have a valid license who applied for AOS, in the time they are waiting for approval. It seems that way to me anyway

[constructus]

I'm not a citizen, or a permanent resident that's approved, because they want my green card to apply for a license or an approval notice, and until I have a green card or an approval notice, they told me I can't apply. Since I can't legally get a license here right now anyway it has to be legal. I have 4 years left on it before it expires, so I can't imagine them saying well, you cant get a license here, but thats also invalid, because if that was the case then nobody would have a valid license who applied for AOS, in the time they are waiting for approval. It seems that way to me anyway

People who are in AOS can get a US DL if they show the NOA's. That's how I got my DL last month. BUT YOU NEED SSN FOR SURE.

Now I do not know if they will invalidate your Canadian DL as soon as you show up or give it back to you if you do not pass the test. Nonetheless you can take the test 3 times in a 3 months period in case you do not pass it (most states)

I think that driving with a Canadian license for more than a month after you came here is illegal if you get pulled over, so be careful, don't harm your AOS situation.

[TNguy78]

It's correct that in most states you can't get a "license" until you're a citizen or PR, but in the mean time they usually have a non-license thing that allows you to drive. Here in TN, it's called a Certificate for Driving - it's like a drivers license, but you are not allowed to actually use it for Identification - only for driving. For example, I can't use it for ID to rent a car or get on a plane. And this Certificate for Driving expires on the same date at my visa.

Just because your Canadian DL is non-expired, doesn't mean it's still valid. It's only valid while you still have a residence in that province, and that province is considered your primary place of residence. If you are legally living in the US under some sort of visa (temporary or not), then you are no longer living in Canada and therefore your license is no longer valid. At least that's how it was "legally" described to me once.

[MOM1211]

You're right, it's not valid. but they won't accept the NOA. I just called and they said no, they will ONLY accept the permanent resident card and until then, I'm SOL.

I'm completely freaking out now. How can I get my child to school now? How can I get to the doctor, during our fertility treatments we're going through. I had an appt tomorrow, and the next day with my doctors, and my son goes to school 5 miles away and we're not on the bus route. OMG, this is not ok. What am I going to do? I haven't even gotten an interview letter, not an approval notice NOTHING!!!

[TNguy78]

What state are you in? (sorry if i missed it)

They must have some sort of alternative to a Drivers License. They are telling you their requirements for a Drivers License - because you keep asking about a drivers license, but that's not really what you are asking for. Ask if they have a Certificate for Driving or something like that for non-PR/non-citizens.

[MOM1211]

Missouri. They don't have driving certificates here. I don't know what to do. I just cried to the lady at the DMV, and was told I can't drive until I have a PR Card or approval notice and apply for a new license and there's no interim licenses. I just can't believe this. This literally means I will have to pull my child out of school because we're not on the bus routes, it means I cannot see any doctors we've already paid thousands of dollars for fertility treatments with, not be able to get to my biometrics appt even. I mean this is so ridiculous that they don't have some way for someone in this position.

[TNguy78]

What status are you?

According to this... http://dor.mo.gov/mvdl/drivers/idrequirements.pdf Someone who is in "AOS" is allowed to get a license (top of page 4). You need to show Lawful Presence, not Permanent Residency.

Good Luck!

[MOM1211]

Thanks..I appreciate it.

It says i need

Immigration documentation indicating status, and
One of the following:
• Employment Authorization Document I-688B or I-766
• Passport

I have neither of those. But, Now my husband and father in law BOTH called there and were told by a couple of people that I CAN drive as long as I have a valid Canadian drivers license and I am insured, because of the fact that I can't get a missouri license until I can prove I'm here legally. So as long as my Canadian license is up to date I can drive, they were told. My husband figures the person I talked to didnt know what she was talking about, since they were told by others I can drive as long as my license is not expired.

[TNguy78]

Did you have any other status and an I-94 card? I know I was allowed to get my "license", but that was because I've either been on a H1-B or TN, which gave me legal residency and an I-94 card.

Sorry that you seem to be stuck in the middle of things - no longer a "real" resident of Canada, but not really a resident of the US either. I have no real answers, just more questions it seems.

[TNguy78]

What kind of Car insurance do you have? Is it from Canada or is it local to Missouri? Make sure that the insurance is still valid - that might be more important than the license in a way.

Maybe in a weird sort of technicality - since you not a resident of the US yet, you must still be a resident of Canada. Hey - it's a good argument - but I'm just not sure how it would stand up in court.

[MOM1211]

I didn't need an I-94 when I entered because my son and I were only visiting my husband who at the time was my fiance, for 2 weeks I thought. I didn't even have a passport for the same reason. I figured I'd be going back to Canada. we have All State, in Missouri (for our car we own together), and its still valid, and I'm on it as well as my husband is too.

They told my father in law and my husband that I can legally drive until I can obtain a Missouri license as my canadian license is not expired and I'm on the insurance. They called insurance companies, and the DMV and were both told that by different people so the girl I had must have been off today.

[Triple Citizen]

When I moved to MA from Ontario, they just glanced at my Ontario licence and handed it back. They still issued me an MA licence without a written or road test. I still have my Ontario licence to this day. However when I moved to IL from MA, my MA licence was taken off my hands and I needed to take a written test.

[MOM1211]

It says on their website that you need a written test only, but apparently now all states will require a road test they told me. I am a good driver, I just fear being so nervous that I'll fail. I'm a nervous person under pressure. :o