Leasing a vehicle in WA state while on TN visa plus DUI conviction

S

SueL

New Member
I have visited the Washington state DOL and was told I cannot possess a BC drivers license and a WA state drivers license at the same time. I have avoided testing for a WA state license because I thought I might get questioned at the border (I cross regularly) about my permenant residency (which is canada) if I don't possess a car with BC plates.
1. If I do get a WA state license, do I turn in my BC license? it's currently connected to my medical services plan of BC which I also still pay into.
2. Should I sell my canadian 2006 crap car in vancouver privately before trying to negotiate with leasing companies in WA state? or will they handle a trade-in on a canadian car?
3. Will I be questioned about my permanency entering the US with a drivers license and car registered in USA?
4. I know American's have trouble entering canada with a DUI conviction. Since I got the conviction while on a BC license, I am unsure how entering canada will become for me with a new WA state license. and a record if a Wa state DUI conviction
ugh. so complicated! Please help.
 
1. You should only have a DL where you live. If you do not live in WA, why would you need a WA DL. So, where do you live? If it's BC, keep your BC DL, plates and lease a car there. If WA, move everything to WA. What are you going to do for auto insurance?
2. You can't sell it in US unless you import it first, which van be a hassle, and no US dealer wants to have to unload a Cdn car. Sell it Canada.
3. On TN, you are allowed to live in US, and DO NOT need to keepa Cdn residence.
4. Cdn citizens -- even murderers -- are never prevented from entering Canada, so I would not worry about this for entering Canada.
 
Thanks very much for this info nelsona!
1.I am living and working Fulltime in Seattle WA so I will move all DL to washington state, and get WA car insurance as well.
Do I turn in my BCDL? or just keep it in active / as ID?
4. Even if I was a canadian murderer, (which I'm not) they might let me in the country, but wouldn't I still be suspended from DRIVING in canada if I have a WA state license with a DUI conviction?
 
1. WA DMV will probably take it (or at least punch a hole in it), since they don't allow you to have both.
4. Since your license will be suspended, you will not be able to drive on EITHER side of the border, since you would not have a valid license. You did not ask this however, you asked about "entering Canada".
 
Thank you for the clarification. Since I will need to get a WA license, and I have completed all the required obligations for the DUI ( had a IID for 10 months)
paid fines, etc.. all without a WA license, and operating with a BCDL. I currently do NOT have a suspensed status and am listed at the DOL with a resident ID card / in leu of a WA state drivers license. Since it's all complete I should be able to take my drivers test and get a license without issue correct? Will that allow me to drive in canada or does having a DUI record restricts you forever from driving in canada on a WA state license?
 
Once the remedial actions have been performed, a past DUI never prevents you from driving, in any country, as long and you have a valid non-suspended license. Whether WA DOL wants to give you such license is up to them. They will no doubt want to tie your DUI under you non-driver ID to your driver's license, for future repeat offenses. It will stay on your record.
Now, if canada considers this a "crime" (as you implied earlier) they can deny entry (whether you drive or fly) to non-citizens, but, as I said earlier, that doesn't apply to Cdn 'criminals'.
 
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