So I am from Canada and I will be driving down and will keep my car for the year that i'm there. I was wondering if anyone had any info on license plates and what we have to do with respect to that - I'm assuming I can ask once i'm down there as well... but I was just throwin it out there to see if anyone is doing it/or has done it and could give me some info! Thanks!
HI SHAYNA! This is from the official Florida DMV site - pretty sure it lays out everything needed? http://www.flhsmv.gov/dhsmv/newflres.html Once the car is registered and everything, that's when you get snazzy new plates. It lists in there what Canadian citizens need for a Florida licence too - easy peasy (http://www.flhsmv.gov/ddl/faqkeys.html#CanCit) Florida plates are way cool, solely because they say "The Sunshine State" versus Ontario plates, which *should* say "It's Fracking Cold Here".
Hey I happened to ask a Canadian cast member about this very thing last week when I was there and he said that the rules are different now and that you don't need Florida plates. He said he is using his Canadian plates and Canadian insurance. He is currently on his second program and on his first he did need to switcing everything over which I guess ended up costing a lot more. I would also love a Florida plate but I don't really want to pay for it haha.
FYI: Aurora Phoenix rocks!!!!! Really?!? This is intriguing... I will need to find more information about this. Anyways, welcome back Jackie, hope you had a fantastic vacation in Disney World!!! And in a few months, at that point, then we can say "welcome home"! I kinda do want a Florida plate... but at the same time, it would be much cheaper not having to switch everything over... again... Ahhh, decisions, decisions...
I have officially decided.. i'm not going to legally change my plates.. I will just buy one at a flea market and keep it on the back dash so you can see it through the window! lol! Then I will feel like I have one without paying money! Hooray! Matty we'll just do that ok?? lol!
Works for me! This would actually be a huge relief since I wouldn't have to get everything organized and look into new insurance etc...
I like that idea. I just can't afford spending unnecessary money lol. Speaking of which, how much money are you bringing??
It does make life a lot easier. The only Canadians I know with Florida plates are the people who bought cars while they were here.
Are you currently on the program? So they'll actually let your car into the commons without a Florida plate? Cause I had heard from a previous person that he wasn't even allowed to bring his car in on move in day without a Florida plate, but that was almost 2 years ago.
Hey all, I just emailed Disney International Arrivals and they said that in order for you to park your car in the complex it needs a complex sticker in it as well as US Registration and Insurance and you need to have a US License. But from talking to the DMV that isn't to hard to get you just go, hand in your license pay and do a vision test. Tyler
Yep, that's all you need to do! 1) Get Florida license (oooo how snazz!) 2) Get US insurance You can drive around with Canadian plates for up to a year I believe, so you're peachy keen!
I think you have to make sure that you would be fully covered while in Florida with it. One of those things that it's prob best to phone up your insurance company, explain the sitch, and see what they say!
I've been hearing all sorts of different things when it comes to the car sitch. Current cast members advise not switching anything because like you said Shanan, its ok to drive with canadian plates for one year. They also said if you get a Florida license they will cut up your Canadian one and it can be costly/complicated to get your Canadian one when you return to Canada. Kristen said that while its ok to keep the plate that the housing requires US insurance/license... but... I don't think they check that considering what I've been told by the current cast members. For me? I want to save as much moula as possible and am not keen on getting US insurance because currently I am listed as an occasional driver on my parents insurance so its dirt cheap. I plan to just play it by ear, if its going to cost me too much I'll just have someone come get my car haha.
With regards to having the Canadian driver's license chopped up when getting the Florida license - noooot sure about this. Long story short, a whiiiiile back, my family actually moved to Florida for less than a year, but long enough to require licenses. So my parents went to the Florida DMV, only to see that the woman in front of them from San Francisco, had her Cali license chopped up. This freaked 'em out a bit, and they actually asked if they'd have to give up their Ontario licenses. The woman said, unless they were staying in Florida permanently and also needed to travel throughout other states, no. They walked out of there with both their Ontario licenses and Florida licenses intact! So long story short, if you basically can give an end date at which point you'll be leaving Florida, and explicitly tell them you will *only* be driving in Florida, you should be able to get both. Maybe this policy has changed since then, or maybe it's different if you're there for a minimum of a year - best bet is probably just to ask somebody at the DMV directly what is up! Easier said than done though... yeesh!
You can keep your Canadian licence... you just have to take a written and driving exam to be able to do so. I didn't want to waste any more time than was necessary, so I just gave them my licence and I'll get a new Ontario one once I get home. They just changed a bunch of regulations at the beginning of this year.
Hey guys.. what about an italian guy wanting to buy a car over there? Do you know anything about it? How much is the insurance? If my license is good over there?
On the plus side, at least you only have to pay a replacement fee for your licence. Really, you could even just say your old licence was lost now and get a new one, non? I feel like you can do it by mail if you're out of province. My Uncle (who lives in Scotland) did something like that. I remember reading something like if you plan on returning within 6 months of being out of province, they'll send you a temporary licence. Something along those lines at least. Pretty sure it's a nominal fee... $20 at most. Though that's only necessary for anybody who plans on coming back to Canada during their program. Otherwise, easy enough to replace when you're back!
