Canadians driving in the USA

[bevans6]

I had always understood that there was reciprocity of driver's licenses between Canada and other countries, including the USA.  A recent incident in Georgia has brought to light the truth - there is no reciprocity based on a driver's license alone.  A young Canadian woman was recently arrested and jailed because she was driving with a Canadian license that was deemed invalid by the arresting officer.  It turns out that requirements vary by state, and in many if not most states a Canadian license is only valid if accompanied by a passport or other proof of citizenship, and in some states (Florida) require an International Driving Permit in addition to a Canadian driver's license and a passport.  It has to be the physical passport, in the case in Georgia the young woman had both a digital Nexus card (issued jointly by US Customs and Border Protection and Canada Border Services Agency) and a digital copy of her Canadian Passport with her at the time of her arrest.  To be clear, she was stopped for speeding on the Interstate, but she was arrested for driving with an Ontario license.  http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-woman-arrested-jailed-in-u-s-for-driving-with-a-canadian-licence-1.4648561

[brmax]

  I seen that yesterday on the news, I was disappointed.
The official obviously did not know their own State laws. In my opinion the speed citation just should have been issued. Then let the assigned course of action take place as listed on ticket.
To consider the area as a speed trap, well it sure sounds as if it was and more. It seems to me certain actions as this could be clarified correctly over the radio with the dispatcher in position.

Good day

Floyd

[luvrbus]

It's not just for Canadians here if your state like AZ doesn't comply with the new federal BS I have to carry a passport for federal ID,I cannot buy a friggin air line ticket without a passport,if a federal agency stops me I am screwed without my passport for ID     

[lostagain]

Well, I didn't really feel sorry for her. She was doing 87 mph in a 65 
And she should have had her real passport with her, not just a copy on her phone. Also, she should have had a Georgia DL, because she was there long term as a student.
My son was in Savannah as an intern for Gulfstream for a year. He had to get a Georgia DL within 30 days of being there, and carry his passport with him at all times as a requirement of his visa.
I realize the cop didn't know what she was doing, but the onus is on the visitor to go by the local rules.

JC

[Dave5Cs]

Got to agree with JC and she started out lying to the officer and tell him she was from Tenn. Not Canada as a student. Driving a vehical with Canadian plates probably and a Canadian DL

Sounds a little like a Drama Queen wanting to get known on Snap Chat or whatever.

[luvrbus]

The new laws here have given the states a new source of revenue for sure, she did break the law you are going to jail in about any state in the US when you exceed 20 MPH over the posted speed limit American or Canadian.LOL Dave she will probably be on Youtube with the ads and all   

[eagle19952]

Well, I didn't really feel sorry for her. She was doing 87 mph in a 65  
And she should have had her real passport with her, not just a copy on her phone. Also, she should have had a Georgia DL, because she was there long term as a student.
My son was in Savannah as an intern for Gulfstream for a year. He had to get a Georgia DL within 30 days of being there, and carry his passport with him at all times as a requirement of his visa.
I realize the cop didn't know what she was doing, but the onus is on the visitor to go by the local rules.

JC

it was 87 in a 70.

Georgia has a thing called Super speeder.  They very often fudge the 2 mph to add the designation to the ticket, it tacks on an extra $200.00....
Georgia's 'Super Speeder Law' defines a Super Speeder as a driver convicted of speeding at 75 mph or more on a two-lane road or at 85 mph and above on any road or highway in the State of Georgia.
In addition to the fines and fees paid to the jurisdiction where the speeding offense took place, a $200 Super Speeder state fee is to be paid by the convicted driver. Failure to pay the Super Speeder fee within 120 days of official notice will result in the suspension of the offender's license or driving privileges. Payment of a $50 reinstatement fee in addition to the $200 Super Speeder fee will then be required to reinstate their license or driving privileges.

2 "more" mph is always suspect.... A super speeder ticket in Georgia can cost well over $1000.
And one would be foolish not to contest it... if it was 15 mph over the bracket...no question about it's validity, but 2 mph, I have my doubts.

https://dds.georgia.gov/reinstatement-faqs-super-speeder

[bevans6]

Posted this not to debate the incident, but to let other Canadians know that the rules might not be what you thought they were.  I bet not 1% of the thousands of Canadians who spend part of the winter in Florida know that since 2013 Florida has required the International Driving Permit.  The other side of this is the lady was definitely in the wrong for speeding, possibly should have had a Tennessee driver's license (problematic as Tennessee only issues licenses to US citizens or Permanent Residents, possibly not to F-visa holders, since that is a temporary visa), but she was apparently illegally denied access to the Canadian Consulate.  At the end of the day her arrest has been expunged, she will probably get her bail and other fees back, and now we know more than we did about driving in the US.

[eagle19952]

Posted this not to debate the incident, but to let other Canadians know that the rules might not be what you thought they were.  I bet not 1% of the thousands of Canadians who spend part of the winter in Florida know that since 2013 Florida has required the International Driving Permit.  The other side of this is the lady was definitely in the wrong for speeding, possibly should have had a Tennessee driver's license (problematic as Tennessee only issues licenses to US citizens or Permanent Residents, possibly not to F-visa holders, since that is a temporary visa), but she was apparently illegally denied access to the Canadian Consulate.  At the end of the day her arrest has been expunged, she will probably get her bail and other fees back, and now we know more than we did about driving in the US.

i read it differently. she said she lived in Tennessee. That was probably true. it's where she slept.  The question should have been are you a US citizen.

NOTE: A new law requiring foreign visitors to have international driving permits to drive in Florida will not be enforced because it violates an international treaty...

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/article1947357.html

AAA applauds this swift action by the Florida Legislature and Governor Rick Scott repealing the 2012 law that required an International Driving Permit for all foreign drivers," said Kevin Bakewell, chief public affairs officer for AAA."This repeal illustrates the state's commitment to remaining a top US destination for international tourists, including our Canadian neighbors, many of whom call Florida their winter home."

"Effective immediately, Canadians in Florida can go back to doing what they have always been able to do – drive with peace of mind in the Sunshine State using their provincial driver's license,"

https://www.flgov.com/2013/04/02/governor-scott-signs-international-drivers-license-bill-at-florida-chamber-of-commerces-international-days/

[Fred Mc]

TO ME THIS JUST ILLUSTRATES HOW "FACELESS"(BRAINLESS?) BEAUREAUCRATS  make up their own rules. They are un-elected, lazy, overpaid and underworked(ask me how I REALLY feel). Kudos to the governor to take action. I suspect that the Florida economy derives significant benefit from Canadian "snowbirds". I know that businesses in Washington state close to the border suffer when the Canadian dollar "tanks".

[brmax]

The news I seen yesterday didnt mention anything regarding the person being a resident in Tennessee. For sure it did not say the person said they were a temporary resident, to the Officer.

This I mean in student or other non-resident status. So from my limited knowledge most States here in the good old North America each have a set of guidelines, and likely a bit newer than others.

So in my up standing arguments, I plead duped by fake news and or my case not enough home work in this discussion.
So in closing, I still lean heavy on the issue of the speed ticket and its compliance.


Good day

Floyd

[buswarrior]

Comrade, let me see your identity card...?

Is this the USA, or the USSR?

You've been hoodwinked, just as they were...

Passports are for borders, driver's licences are for speeding infractions.

Many long standing international treaties between your government and ours has been violated by the local cop.

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[luvrbus]

Comrade, let me see your identity card...?

Is this the USA, or the USSR?

You've been hoodwinked, just as they were...

Passports are for borders, driver's licences are for speeding infractions.

Many long standing international treaties between your government and ours has been violated by the local cop.

Happy coaching!

I don't like it but that is the way it is now ,my new AZ drivers licenses has it written on the front "Not For Federal Identification" meaning no Federal officer will recognize it as a ID.   I doubt I could get into a Federal Court house with mine. Now instead of the states issuing the drivers license on the spot that is gone you get a piece of paper and your new license shows up in 2 weeks and it's not just AZ either    
Buswarrior

[bobofthenorth]

At the risk of chasing this thread into the gutter I'll say it anyway.  You guys south of 49 have lost your compass.  I'm inclined to dismiss this particular incident as one nitwit student driving too fast in the deep south and pissing off a low brow cop.  That's probably more or less exactly what happened but this is a symptom of a deeper problem.  You guys are degenerating into a police state.  It took a long time to get where you are and it will take a long time to get back but so far I  see no evidence that you are turning the ship around.

[luvrbus]

Well said Bob that is happening here for sure all in the name of keeping us safe what BS,the Real ID Act is way of keeping track of citizens that is all it's for