I'm going to Canada from NY and I need an answer. . please help!

Question

In late August I am going to canada with about 8 people. I know you do not need a passport yet but, here is the deal. My one friend is going to be 21, and his license will be expired.(this is the reason we are going up, for his birthday). We are leaving to go to canada the day after his birthday and want to make sure he gets in. Can he go to DMV and ask if it is alright if they give him a temporary license for him to go up with until the new one comes in the mail? I know you need your bith cirtificate, social security card and a goverment issued photo ID card. How can he be assured that he will be able to get into the border when his ID expired on his birthday and we are going up the day after?

Answer 1

There is no way he can not get his license renewed prior to going to Canada to guarantee that he will get his photo license in hand before you leave? It does not hurt to ask to see if it can be done. I am not sure what the rules are there, but I can renew my license anytime during my month of birth, I do not have to wait until my birthday to do it, and since he will be going away they just may let him.

He more then likely will not be able to get into Canada or even back into the US with an expired license, the requirements for ID state the id used must be valid. They may let him cross but they may not, I would not take the chance and I would try to get the renewed drivers license prior to him going.

Answer 2

AS long as he isn't actually driving a car with his expired licence, he should be OK. He is using the DL as a form of identification, in this case, right?

A difference of one day doesn't change his name or his date of birth,  does it ? The requirements are to be able to prove American citizenship and back it up with a more recent photo id. He;s good to go.

Jim B. Toronto.

Answer 3

I agree with SaskArie - Renew earlier. When I went to Africa, it was three months before my birthday and I was staying for a few years. I had no trouble getting my license renewed early. I cannot see why he cannot do that. If it were me, I'd be there first thing Monday morning. No point in giving the border people a made to order refusal situation  when you can give yourself an easy acceptance situation.

Answer 4

Well, I think that even if he tries to get a temporary ID he will only get a paper copy, not a photo ID. So that won't really be much help I dont think. He doesn't have any other ID with a picture on it? If not I don't really think it's a problem. I mean, his license will be a few days expired but it's still him and is still an ID issued from the government. I'm sure they aren't going to be super anal about it being a few days expired. I think it will probably be ok, but maybe just in case if he can bring any other card with a photo (even if it doesn't seem all that important), like a school ID, or something like that.

Have a good trip!