KiasuParents - Parenting in Singapore

Hi

Could anyone please advise if I would need to obtain an International Driving Licence to drive in Canada and the States?

Hi, Gardener (like your unique name )

Yes, you will need a International Drivers' License, there is a minimum years of driving requirement, I can't remember the details.
It's valid for a year. You will need 2 recent pp size photos, original SG drivers' license, travel document and a fee of $26 (can't remember the exact amount, but it's around there.) Declaration of any accident may be required, please check this.

Can be done on the spot at AA.

Hope this helps.

Our experience with the US is that sometimes they ask for it, sometimes they don't . But even when they ask for it, they need your SG license too. So on the safe side bring both international and local license.

Harlequin wrote:Hi, Gardener (like your unique name )

Yes, you will need a International Drivers' License, there is a minimum years of driving requirement, I can't remember the details.
It's valid for a year. You will need 2 recent pp size photos, original SG drivers' license, travel document and a fee of $26 (can't remember the exact amount, but it's around there.) Declaration of any accident may be required, please check this.

Can be done on the spot at AA.

Hope this helps.

Hi Harlequin,

Thank you for the detailed reply!

I like your special name too

Dnls_mum wrote:Our experience with the US is that sometimes they ask for it, sometimes they don't . But even when they ask for it, they need your SG license too. So on the safe side bring both international and local license.

Hi Dnlsmum,

Thank you for your reply!

I read somewhere very loooong ago that if one's driving licence is in English then we don't need to apply an Int one to drive in US. But I can't seem to verify that anywhere now. So follow yours and Harlequin's advice, better get one!

gardener wrote:

Dnls_mum wrote:Our experience with the US is that sometimes they ask for it, sometimes they don't . But even when they ask for it, they need your SG license too. So on the safe side bring both international and local license.

Hi Dnlsmum,

Thank you for your reply!

I read somewhere very loooong ago that if one's driving licence is in English then we don't need to apply an Int one to drive in US. But I can't seem to verify that anywhere now. So follow yours and Harlequin's advice, better get one!

It's always safer to get a Int'l permit because not all service staff know the rules well, especially if you are collecting the car at places other than airports. It probably doesn't apply to you, but most countries have a minimum age to rent cars - my husband and I were caught out once (long ago!).

slmkhoo wrote:

gardener wrote:

Dnls_mum wrote:Our experience with the US is that sometimes they ask for it, sometimes they don't . But even when they ask for it, they need your SG license too. So on the safe side bring both international and local license.

Hi Dnlsmum,

Thank you for your reply!

I read somewhere very loooong ago that if one's driving licence is in English then we don't need to apply an Int one to drive in US. But I can't seem to verify that anywhere now. So follow yours and Harlequin's advice, better get one!

It's always safer to get a Int'l permit because not all service staff know the rules well, especially if you are collecting the car at places other than airports. It probably doesn't apply to you, but most countries have a minimum age to rent cars - my husband and I were caught out once (long ago!).

Hi Simkhoo

You are right....we are way way past the minimum age

Thanks for replying, will pop by AAS soon.

Hey, Gardener.

Hope your International Drivers' License's application is a smooth one.

Just thought to share a bit more on driving in The States.

The Intl Drivers' License is a light blue 4 pages hard cover booklet slightly smaller than our passports, keep in with your passport, and also you SG drivers' license for easy retrieval. Also, made a few colored photocopies of both SG and Intl license and keep it separately.

If you are driving in the interstate highways and stop by any state troopers, first give signal to pull over, then hit your hazard lights, when your car has come to a full stop, don't do anything, just sit there and wait for them to come over...if your car windows are up, don't try to wind it down until they walk over to your car and signal to you to do so... keep both hands on the steering wheel visable to them. Don't get out of the car until you are told, don't try to go retrieve your ID/License, just keep your hands on the steering wheel, do anything only when you are told to... if there is a passenger in your car, he/she might be instructed to get the documents out for you....

If you missed any of these steps, you are into some rude and shocking treatment, handcuffs and all that... I had 2 pistols pointed at me at closed range when I was pulled over by the interstate troopers while driving from Atlantic City to NY 2 years ago... It was a freezing night, and I am not used to driving with gloves on, I hid my left hand under my thigh to keep warm... because of this they thought I was armed, they pointed the pistols at me and yelled at me to show them my both hands, and they yanked me out of the car and searched me, and they are male officers!!... I nearly peed my pants, and felt so violated.

You take care while driving there, have a pleasant trip.

Harlequin wrote:Hey, Gardener.

Hope your International Drivers' License's application is a smooth one.

Just thought to share a bit more on driving in The States.

The Intl Drivers' License is a light blue 4 pages hard cover booklet slightly smaller than our passports, keep in with your passport, and also you SG drivers' license for easy retrieval. Also, made a few colored photocopies of both SG and Intl license and keep it separately.

If you are driving in the interstate highways and stop by any state troopers, first give signal to pull over, then hit your hazard lights, when your car has come to a full stop, don't do anything, just sit there and wait for them to come over...if your car windows are up, don't try to wind it down until they walk over to your car and signal to you to do so... keep both hands on the steering wheel visable to them. Don't get out of the car until you are told, don't try to go retrieve your ID/License, just keep your hands on the steering wheel, do it only when you are told to... if there is a passenger in your car, he/she might be instructed to get the documents out for you....

If you missed any of these steps, you are into some rude and shocking treatment, handcuffs and all that... I had 2 pistols pointed at me at closed range when I was pulled over by the interstate troopers while driving from Atlantic City to NY 2 years ago... It was a freezing night, and I am not used to driving with gloves on, I hid my left hand under my thigh to keep warm... because of this they thought I was armed, they pointed the pistols at me and yelled at me to show them my both hands, and they yanked me out of the car and searched me, and they are male officers!!... I nearly peed my pants, and felt so violated.

You take care while driving there, have a pleasant trip.

Thank you for sharing!
Wasn't it so scary?! A friend of ours had a similar experience in Michigan.

I will tell my DH all the steps that you said! I dare not drive on the highways there, I am the navigator.

you'll be fine! i love road trips and love driving in the states. just keep within the limit (i like to use the speed control. think it's called that... the dial where u pck in your speed then no need worry about speeding). have gps ready or mapquest. plenty of snacks and drinks, esp if travelling with kids. great music. enjoy!!