Korean Job Discussion Forums

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

It occurs to me, I've been away from Canada for too long. I'll probably have to do my written/road test for my driver's license. When I moved from Toronto to Seattle, I actually had to do my road test to get a WA state driver's license. Apparently Canadians have weird road rules so they won't give you a WA state driver's license if you have a Canadian license. I had to do the road test. I felt like I was 16 again. It was spooky.

My WA state license has, of course, long since expired. Ugg this is scary in a way. I can't drive myself even if I go home on holiday!

Anyway, anyone return to Canada and have to redo your road test? Years ago they instituted the graduated license system. Does this apply to people over 30 or people who had a license but let it lapse?

That would really suck.

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

I always have made it a point to buy a new license whenever I go home, and extend the due date.

JacktheCat · Joined: 08 May 2004

If you're American you will have a *beep* of a time when you go home as, as of last year, the USA has instituted some pretty draconian new laws to get a new driver's license post 9/11. Land of the free my ass.

In addition to the old stuff, you now you have to provide a birth certificate, federal government-issued photo id (like a passport) and a notarized proof of residency.

That last part is going to be little hard for all of us ex-pats who no longer have a permanent residency in the states; or never had in the first place in my case.

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Jack, I understand that it would be difficult for someone like you, however, I don't think the documents are too much to ask for. I keep these exact documents ready in a safe deposit box for just such situations.

And I only have to renew once every 4 years.

Personally, I welcome some tighter rules on some of these things. I believe the "proof of residency" thing is only for folks who are in situations such as yourself -- having lived overseas most of their lives and not keeping any residency back home.

After all, you sort of do look like an Al Queda member *ahhahhaa* Laughing

The US gov't doesn't want to be accused of "racially profiling" anyone, so we all have to go through it. You can thank the terrorists. This never woul have happened without their involvement. People demanded more security, and this is the result.

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

PolyChronic Time Girl · Joined: 15 Dec 2004 Location: Korea Exited

Actually, I had no problems with keeping my California driver's license. I just made sure that I renewed my license by mailand sent a check to them. I don't want to stand in line at DMV and take more stupid tests.

hogwonguy1979 · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: the racoon den

some states even let you renew online up to a year before it expires. Did that with mine and now have a license until 2009

auto insurance though is a whole nother story. If you don't even keep a minimum policy going while here you may not qualify for your old company or if you do it will be at a much higher rate as you will not have any previous insurance even though you can prove you were here for x amount of years. Also auto insurance companies now run credit scores in assessing how much you pay. Got all this info from my State Farm agent while in the US last Xmas so its pretty current. I pay $30/month for a crap policy that will only cover me if i drive someone eleses car and get into an accident. It won't cover driving a rental car.

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

hari seldon · Joined: 05 Dec 2004 Location: Incheon

Fortunately some of the states issue long-term licenses to drivers with good records. My R.I. license is valid for almost seven years.

teachingld2004 · Joined: 29 Mar 2004

Well, I was home (new york) last week. I just got mine renewed. It expired in October.

I did not have to take a new picture.
I did not even have to have proof of my address.
I waited on line for alost one hr, filled out a form with my son's address, paid my 45 dollars, and I should have the new one in 4 weeks.

Not hard, proof of nothing. I did not have to show my old one. Did not need a new picture, and that is all.

guangho · Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2005 3:13 am Post subject:

I did the same thing in New York last year, a few weeks (not months) after my license expired and now have a license to kill until 2012.

taejonguy · Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Location: Daejeon, Korea

The biggest concern for me revolves around insurance. The costs are getting crazy and I worry being out of Canada without a driver's licence for 10 years will result in OUTRAGEOUS rates!

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003