Can I use Ontario G1/G2 license to travel to Buffalo?

[alias_neo]

Well I'm going to have a road trip with a few friends to Niagara Falls/Buffalo and I was wondering if I could use my G1 or G2 license to get across the border. It's not an issue for me exactly since I still have a valid passport but a couple of my friends only have their G1 licenses. I keep hearing about how you can go to the states with your G1 but haven't found any reputable source verifying this. Oh, and we all have the "old style" G1's/G2's, not the new weird ones with the black and white.

Also, I'm pretty sure I'm allowed to drive into Buffalo with my G2 according this this link right?
http://www.carinsurance.com/kb/content15555.aspx

[Broli's Mom]

If you are asking whether or not you can use your licence in lieu of a passport, no, the enhanced Ontario driver's licences are not yet in circulation.

If you are asking whether or not you can drive with your licence in Buffalo, you can legally drive with a G2 in another jurisdiction. However, it it up to the other jurisdiction whether or not they will recognize the validity of the use of a G1 licence in their jurisdiction.

[flexwong]

If you are asking whether or not you can use your licence in lieu of a passport, no, the enhanced Ontario driver's licences are not yet in circulation.

If you are asking whether or not you can drive with your licence in Buffalo, you can legally drive with a G2 in another jurisdiction. However, it it up to the other jurisdiction whether or not they will recognize the validity of the use of a G1 licence in their jurisdiction.

you don't need a passport to cross the border in a car. i believe just your citizenship card + photo ID is enough.

[peroxide8888]

you don't need a passport to cross the border in a car. i believe just your citizenship card + photo ID is enough.

Or birth certificate; lots of us who were actually born in Canada don't get citizenship cards.

[alias_neo]

Thanks for the help but I got a new problem. One of my friends actually doesn't have a G1. He has an Ontario health card, Canadian citizenship card from 6 years ago, expired Canadian passport, and foreign birth certificate. Would he be allowed in?

[CSK'sMom]

Your friend absolutely needs proof of citizenship and gov't issued photo id. That is all that is required to cross by land into the US. So from the list you provided he can use his health card and citizenship card to cross. Everyone is now required to show proof of citizenship to cross so make sure everyone has the proper documentation of you will be turned back...

[alias_neo]

Your friend absolutely needs proof of citizenship and gov't issued photo id. That is all that is required to cross by land into the US. So from the list you provided he can use his health card and citizenship card to cross. Everyone is now required to show proof of citizenship to cross so make sure everyone has the proper documentation of you will be turned back...

Thanks, I was just unsure on whether a health card was proper ID because I know some bars get all anal if you use your health card for your ID since you're not supposed to use it for some reason.

[ES_Revenge]

Thanks, I was just unsure on whether a health card was proper ID because I know some bars get all anal if you use your health card for your ID since you're not supposed to use it for some reason.

It's not valid ID for proof-of-age at a bar in ON, no. (I assume it's possible to get one falsifying your birthdate or something.) It's not just that you're "not supposed to use it" for that purpose, it's the fact that legally they cannot accept it. If you knew the fines that servers/sellers are subject to personally, for selling alcohol to someone underage, you'd understand why they "get all anal".

Though it is not valid for purchasing alcohol, it may be valid for crossing the border (that I don't know you should probably check on either the Canadian or US customs websites about that).

As an aside, if you don't have license, you need an LCBO ID card to prove your age for the purposes of being served/buying alcohol in ON. You can get an application for one of these at the liquor store or you can probably get one online as well.

[WorldIRC]

Health Card is not a valid photo ID in any circumstances. My foreign customers always come to activate their cell phones with us and we cannot use a Health Card as proof of age...

[Little Dragon]

uhh...i believe if you have a G2 you are free to drive w/ no probs within your province. a full G allows you to travel outside the prov freely.

[Broli's Mom]

There is no such restriction on a G2 licence.

[CSK'sMom]

A health card is perfectly acceptable with US Immigration for gov't issued photo ID for land crossing folks. Before getting the OP in a panic check your facts please.