Driving on Canadian license in Rhode Island

Hi all,

I moved to Rhode Island recently on TN1. I am currently using rent-a-car to commute to work. Just wondering if I can own and drive a car here and don't have to bother getting a Rhode Island license (probably will have to go through a driving test). I checked DMV site (Rhode Island section) and looks like they are asking for either a Rhode Island driver's license or a Rhode Island identification card for vehicle registration. Any info on this will be appreciate.

Thanks.

I changed my Alberta Driver's licence to Massachusetts licence since August 2000. No driving test needed. Yes, you can own a car and buy insurance in the US with your Canandian drivers licence.

It is a good idea to have a US licence in the long run.

Not much help here, but each State has different requirements when it comes to licensing. some its a simple 1 for 1 exchange, some one just does the written and others, you do the written and road test.

I agree it is a bit confusing since different states have different requirements for licensing. I found this info on DMV Rhode Island website;

If vehicle acquired from a Private Party

If you purchased your vehicle from a private party, you'll need the following information with your completed Application for Registration:

* You will need to show proof of insurance.
* You will need to present a sales tax form (the state charges 7%).
* You will need to furnish the vehicle's title. Make sure the date sold, the odometer reading, the purchase price, and the previous owner's signature are included on the back.
* You will need to have a VIN check if the vehicle was purchased out of state. It must be validated by your local police department. Call ahead, since some locations require appointments.
* You will need to provide either a Rhode Island driver's license or a Rhode Island identification card.
* You will need to pay a $30 registration fee.

I guess I should visit them in person or call them and ask them if they can accept an alternate ID (SSN/Canadian Passport/Canadian license) instead of RI driver's license or RI ID card.

As far as getting a new US license is concerned I think I can get either a Massachusetts or Rhode Island license. I may probably end up living in MA and working in RI

Before you get your driver's license you'll need your social security number which you can get via your TN. If you live in MA, then go for the MA license. For your insurance, you'll need a US driver's license or an international one from back home.

Marie, I now have my SSN. When you say international licennse from home, do you mean I have to get one-year validity international license (IDP) from CAA. Can I just not use my regular Canadian license (which in my case is still valid for another 2-3 years)

This just sucks. called DMV Rhode Island at (401-462-4368). They said that I will have to start from zero (written and road test) as Rhode Island doesn't accept/convert Canadian license.

I agree you should go there in person to ask the questions. The car dealer might know as well and I'd call an insurance agent too. We had a car insured in WA without changing our Ontario driver's licence's and tags (plates), so it is possible in some states. They're insured by VIN, not by ownership. Also, you can get a state ID without giving up your DL. My husband had a WA state ID for opening bank accounts etc., but kept his Ontario DL and plates for some time after that. Ours was a Canadian car and we did not buy it in the US, so titling might be a whole other issue.

State law in basically all States is that you have to get a State DL within 30/60/90 days of becoming a resident of the State, which means (usually) the day on which the State became your principal residence.

If you carry on with a Canadian licence, that is a residential tie to Canada and you are subject to Canadian income taxes (which probably isn't a problem on TN-1 as moving your tax home to the US on a TN-1 is IMO a bad move).

The Real ID Act has made States tighten up the residency rules for DLs, and most States make your DL expire on the day your I-94 expire, which is crazy as Canadians often don't need an I-94 or if they do, and they renew status inside the US, they don't get a replacement. But there you go, they took everyone into account except Canadians.

A few States (like Florida and New Mexico) are more enlightened but RI I'm pretty sure isn't one of them.

Rhode Island has a reputation as being the worst State in the US for bureaucracy. Also has the highest State income taxes.

I've frankly lost count of how many driving tests I've taken. The Florida one was the biggest laugh, I drove this 250lb instructor around the parking lot to pass the test. She was so fat my car tilted over to one side and I couldn't get to the gear stick because her thigh was pressed against it, so I got into second gear for about ten seconds!

OK I can tell you first hand- we moved to Rhode island from Ontario. The DMV does not recognise a Canadian Driving Lience and you will have to take a new test. 6 month waiting list to do this! We ended up moving to Connecticut to live and swapping our CDN licences to CT ones. The DMV in RI treated us like terrorists-