Does Ontario accept driver's license record from my previous state?

[dry.00]

Hi,

I've had a driver's license from Georgia since 2015, and the MVR (the certified license record from GA) says that says my "Original Issue Date" was sometime in 2015).
The problem is that I'm going to move to Michigan for a few months, buy a car, and then move to Windsor.
In order to do this, I should have a Michigan license, right?

But I'm not sure if the MVR from Michigan will show that I've had a license since 2015.
Furthermore, when I eventually exchange my MI license for an Ontario license, I need to show 2+ years of driving history to get a full license.
Will Ontario accept the Georgia MVR even though I'll be handing in my Michigan license?

For full disclosure, I sold my car 2 weeks ago, so I don't have a car right now. I'm planning on buying it in Michigan, but I don't think I can fly back to Georgia to register it before I move to Windsor.
US: F-1 OPT
Canada: PR card holder

 

[primaprime]

Why do you have to move to Michigan? Anyways, you could probably provide a copy of your Georgia licence too.

 

[dry.00]

Why do you have to move to Michigan? Anyways, you could probably provide a copy of your Georgia licence too.

Because I have to be in Michigan until I get my H-1b application approved, and who knows how long that'll take? In the meantime, I'll need a car to get myself around.
I've already moved out of my apartment in GA and put all my stuff in a storage unit in Detroit, actually

 

[harirajmohan]

Hi,

I've had a driver's license from Georgia since 2015, and the MVR (the certified license record from GA) says that says my "Original Issue Date" was sometime in 2015).
The problem is that I'm going to move to Michigan for a few months, buy a car, and then move to Windsor.
In order to do this, I should have a Michigan license, right?

But I'm not sure if the MVR from Michigan will show that I've had a license since 2015.
Furthermore, when I eventually exchange my MI license for an Ontario license, I need to show 2+ years of driving history to get a full license.
Will Ontario accept the Georgia MVR even though I'll be handing in my Michigan license?

For full disclosure, I sold my car 2 weeks ago, so I don't have a car right now. I'm planning on buying it in Michigan, but I don't think I can fly back to Georgia to register it before I move to Windsor.
US: F-1 OPT
Canada: PR card holder

You just need 2 years in any/combination of states(along with official record that states on when it was issued and when is the expiry and your other details). So whether you produce MI record or not, your GA record should be enough.
https://www.ontario.ca/page/exchange-out-province-drivers-licence

Even though i have not seen about the specific rule "in last 3 years", still windsor imposes it(as per 2017). So its recent hence you should be good.
If you are getting record from MI(if in case), you need to send the form to lansing office by post and get it which is the only record they accept in windsor. They dont accept print out from MI license office at windsor.

 

[dry.00]

You just need 2 years in any/combination of states(along with official record that states on when it was issued and when is the expiry and your other details). So whether you produce MI record or not, your GA record should be enough.
https://www.ontario.ca/page/exchange-out-province-drivers-licence

Even though i have not seen about the specific rule "in last 3 years", still windsor imposes it(as per 2017). So its recent hence you should be good.
If you are getting record from MI(if in case), you need to send the form to lansing office by post and get it which is the only record they accept in windsor. They dont accept print out from MI license office at windsor.

Thanks @harirajmohan
I guess I should call ServiceOntario in Windsor to confirm? That's where I should go to exchange the license, right?

 

[harirajmohan]

Thanks @harirajmohan
I guess I should call ServiceOntario in Windsor to confirm? That's where I should go to exchange the license, right?

Its the drivetest centers that issue the first license. So call them.
https://www.ontario.ca/page/exchange-out-province-drivers-licence#section-0
https://drivetest.ca/home/contact_us.html#!/contact-us

 

[mpsqra]

Hi,

I've had a driver's license from Georgia since 2015, and the MVR (the certified license record from GA) says that says my "Original Issue Date" was sometime in 2015).
The problem is that I'm going to move to Michigan for a few months, buy a car, and then move to Windsor.
In order to do this, I should have a Michigan license, right?

But I'm not sure if the MVR from Michigan will show that I've had a license since 2015.
Furthermore, when I eventually exchange my MI license for an Ontario license, I need to show 2+ years of driving history to get a full license.
Will Ontario accept the Georgia MVR even though I'll be handing in my Michigan license?

For full disclosure, I sold my car 2 weeks ago, so I don't have a car right now. I'm planning on buying it in Michigan, but I don't think I can fly back to Georgia to register it before I move to Windsor.
US: F-1 OPT
Canada: PR card holder

I believe Georgia driver's license will be no valid anymore, so becarefull in Canada when you transfer your file to Michigan.
https://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-5647_12539_48306-180172--,00.html#:~:text=“To convert your out-of,your photo will be taken.

 

[dry.00]

Its the drivetest centers that issue the first license. So call them.
https://www.ontario.ca/page/exchange-out-province-drivers-licence#section-0
https://drivetest.ca/home/contact_us.html#!/contact-us

I see.
https://goo.gl/maps/FnizBjdZDss2ziWP8
I'll call them

 

[dry.00]

I believe Georgia driver's license will be no valid anymore, so becarefull in Canada when you transfer your file to Michigan.
https://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-5647_12539_48306-180172--,00.html#:~:text=“To convert your out-of,your photo will be taken.

Yeah, that's precisely what I'm worried about.
I'll call them to see what they have to say.
It'd be troublesome if I can't register my car in Michigan...

 

[harirajmohan]

Yeah, that's precisely what I'm worried about.
I'll call them to see what they have to say.
It'd be troublesome if I can't register my car in Michigan...

Whats the expiry date in your license? Why do you think you wont get MI license, is it over 4 years of expiry?

I believe Georgia driver's license will be no valid anymore, so becarefull in Canada when you transfer your file to Michigan.
https://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-5647_12539_48306-180172--,00.html#:~:text=“To convert your out-of,your photo will be taken.

MI has flexible law allowing till 4 years after the expiry.
"Cards expired less than four years are accepted " https://www.michigan.gov/documents/DE40_032001_20459_7.pdf

 

[dry.00]

Whats the expiry date in your license? Why do you think you wont get MI license, is it over 4 years of expiry?


MI has flexible law allowing till 4 years after the expiry.
"Cards expired less than four years are accepted " https://www.michigan.gov/documents/DE40_032001_20459_7.pdf

It expires in June 2021, when my post completion OPT expires.
I don't think I'll be denied a license in MI. I meant in the way that if I have to choose between buying a car in Michigan and getting a full license in Ontario because DriveTest wont accept an "expired" GA license (If I get a MI license), it would suck.

 

[harirajmohan]

It expires in June 2021, when my post completion OPT expires.
I don't think I'll be denied a license in MI. I meant in the way that if I have to choose between buying a car in Michigan and getting a full license in Ontario because DriveTest wont accept an "expired" GA license (If I get a MI license), it would suck.

I am still confused on your thinking. Why would you be stuck? Please explain to save your time and clear your confusion.

Option1: Change the license to MI. Take the records of GA and MI. Transfer it to ON. Work done.
Option2: Take the records of GA. Transfer it to ON. Work done.

Am i missing anything?

 

[dry.00]

I am still confused on your thinking. Why would you be stuck? Please explain to save your time and clear your confusion.

Option1: Change the license to MI. Take the records of GA and MI. Transfer it to ON. Work done.
Option2: Take the records of GA. Transfer it to ON. Work done.

Am i missing anything?

sorry for the confusion, but you're correct.
Those 2 options are the ones I'm trying to decide between, and it'd be great if I can do option 1.

The thing is, Drivetest website says that I have to have a valid license when I exchange a foreign license.
https://drivetest.ca/licences/licence-exchanges/licence-exchanges-cars-small-trucks-and-vans.html
I'm not sure if my experience in GA counts if I present a MI license.

 

[harirajmohan]

sorry for the confusion, but you're correct.
Those 2 options are the ones I'm trying to decide between, and it'd be great if I can do option 1.

The thing is, Drivetest website says that I have to have a valid license when I exchange a foreign license.
https://drivetest.ca/licences/licence-exchanges/licence-exchanges-cars-small-trucks-and-vans.html
I'm not sure if my experience in GA counts if I present a MI license.

Why not? Thats why you would be giving the record from GA to let them know that when that license was issued and give MI record to know when it was transferred. You can get the record from GA by post while being in MI. I dont see any issues.

We moved from AZ to MI(2016) and then to ON(2017). My wife had license in MI that was issued 7 months ago when we transferred to ON but we submitted records of MI and AZ. So we had no issues. Was this the scenario you are worrying about?

 

[dry.00]

Why not? Thats why you would be giving the record from GA to let them know that when that license was issued and give MI record to know when it was transferred. I dont see any issues.

We moved from AZ to MI(2016) and then to ON(2017). My wife had license in MI that was issued 7 months ago when we transferred to ON but we submitted records of MI and AZ. So we had no issues. Was this the scenario you are worrying about?

Pretty much.
I just wasn't sure if Ontario would accept my GA experience if I present a MI license.

I guess your wife got to test for the full G class license right off the bat then?