Can I drive with my US license if I extended my stay?

[rhcohen2014]

leah, i've been following this thread for days, and to be honest i don't think you are going to have any issue at all if you happen to be driving a car insured in canada with a us license even though you've been here for 6+ months. As someone else mentioned, the rule applies to those who are "settling" in quebec. Technically speaking, you are not "settled", you are a visitor and will be until you receive PR. To me, this rule is similar to one in the states where a person is suppose to change their license over 2-4 weeks after they move to a new state (it's different per state). A license proves residency, so it makes sense if Quebec is saying to a resident or citizen, "hey if you move here, you have x amount of time to transfer your licesene or you can't drive". I believe visitors are exempt from this rule because "visitors" technically do not maintain legal residence in canada, and are not legally obligated to transfer their license over.

I haven't been in canada for 6 months, so this may make things different, but i or my husband have yet to have issues with driving my CT car around. We use it on the highway and on city roads for long drives or short trips. In fact, in january when i was driving back to the states with my previous car, i got into an accident and totalled it while still IN canada. My US insurance company completely covered me, and i had no issue at all with my claim. The insurance company was able to coordinate with their counterpart up here to work everything out.

The ONLY issue I see is whether or not the car you drive has a clause in the insurance for non-owners/insurers driving the car. Does your mother in law's insurance allow other people to drive her car, and cover her for issues related to others driving her car? If her insurance doesn't cover other drivers, THEN i would say it's a no go.

I think you are really making more issues for yourself than you need to. I say if you want to drive, and have a car to borrow, go for it. The cop on the road isn't going to assume you are not a canadian when he sees you driving down the road and pull you over. IF you are ever pulled over, i doubt they will even bother with giving you a ticket, and just let you off with a warning when you show your us license. Unless they ask you specifically, they don't know you've been here for 6 months. They may not even say anything to you about it, just warn you about what you did to get pulled over.

Bottom line, i don't think this needs to be a concern. i really think the "rule" doesn't apply to you because you are only a visitor, not a resident or citizen.

 

[Chevy23]

I agree with the above, I have also been following this thread

I was driving in Alberta for 1 year on my British license (your supposed to change it after 3 months) and I got pulled over for doing an illegal U-turn, I handed my UK license over the police officer and he didn't say anything AND let me off a ticket, just gave me a warning

Like the above post if you have a car to borrow go for it! I did and have never had a problem

 

[lleahdoll]

rhcohen- Not sure the exact rule you're referring to as multiple things have been mentioned.

The one thing I KNOW to be true as I researched it before I ever even came here for the first time was I can only drive for 6 months as a visitor. It doesn't say anything about settling, or planning to settle... just that if you come here to visit Canada, you can only drive for 6 months. So I don't know where to go from here.
I really don't know how to find out about the MIL's insurance clauses as she is not... honest and will probably just say yes anyways. If I were to get pulled over or get into an accident and the blame go on her since it's her car and her name is on the insurance then I'm fine with it.
There was also something else I read yesterday that if you're a "regular" driver you have to be put on the insurance. And if I started driving again, I would be considered a "regular" driver as we would use it to go grocery shopping and such AT LEAST once a week.

I wish I wasn't such a worry wart but I don't won't to jeopardize being a visitor here or get in trouble..

 

[rhcohen2014]

I wish I wasn't such a worry wart but I don't won't to jeopardize being a visitor here or get in trouble..

honestly, the chances of that are slim to none. local police aren't going to take the time to cause trouble for a visitor who is applying for pr for a traffic violation. i still say, if you need to drive, drive! if you're not concerned with whether your MIL would be held liable for any insurance issue IF something ever actually happened, then use her car. i really really think you are ok with driving to the market/running errands, and i'm going to also go on a limb and say local police probably don't even know about the rule you are talking about. i don't think they are going to care, so it's not worth the concern!