I believe that there is no single document that
answers your question. You would need to check the
laws of each state and territory. I do know that the
NYS Vehicle and Traffic Code, Title 5, Art. 30, Sec
516-A is relevant:
<begin text>
S 516-a. Reciprocal driver license agreements with
provinces of Canada. The commissioner may execute a
reciprocal compact or agreement not inconsistent with
the provisions of this chapter with the motor vehicle
administrator or other authorized official of any
province of Canada to effectuate the purposes set
forth in subdivision (b) of article one of
section five hundred sixteen of this article.
<end text>
You might also check the US Code for post 1960s laws
concerning the register of drivers convicted of DUI (I
am aware there are arrangements with Canadian
provinces on this subject also).
There are also special rules regarding diplomats and
military personnel (foreign and domestic). And a few
anomalies, such as the Virginia law that allows US
military and diplomatic personnel to drive on an
expired VA license for four years after its expiration
(try explaining that to a policeman or licensing
authority of another state ... I have).
While some jurisdictions impart, by law or by
practice, legal value (a right to drive) to an
international driver's license, in most jurisdictions
and by international agreement that "license" is
merely a translation of a national instrument and any
rights are derivative from the underlying license.
Anyway, most countries where drivers from OECD
countries would want to drive (other than, in my 1981
experience, Japan) do not require an international
driver's license.
There are various internal inconsistencies and
problems inherent in the licensing system. Because of
abuse, there is (I believe) agreement/regulation that
no longer allows drivers to hold both a US and a
Canadian license (although in practice many drivers
do). Also, many jurisdictions require local licenses
once a driver has been physically present for more
than 30 days, whether or not domiciled elsehwere (and
never mind that the US (state) and Canadian
(provincial) definitions of domicile differ).
European Union law has quite a bit to say about
licensing, including two ECJ cases: Skanavi, which
said that even if a member state could require
migrants to obtain local licenses one year after
arrival, only an administrative penalty (not an
"excessive" fine) could be levied against an EU
citizen who failed to meet that requirement. And a
subsequent case that refused to apply that concession
to a third country national who held the license of a
different member state.)
Andy Grossman
University College London, SLAIS
--- "Smith, Sharwain" <sksmith@wkg.com> wrote:
> It's Friday!
> I've been asked for the authority that allows
> Canadian citizens to drive in
> the US (and vice versa) without obtaining an
> international drivers license.
> I've tried "Treaties in Force," the UN website, AAA,
> and the RCMP.
> Has anyone done this search before or have any ideas
> on further searching.
> This is my first attempt at treaty searching and I'm
> finding it pretty slow
> going.
>
> Thanks to everyone who responded so generously to my
> previous postings!
> I'm settling in to a brand new job and really
> appreciate the support.
> -Sharwain
>
> Sharwain Smith mailto:sksmith@wkg.com
> Interim Librarian
> Williams, Kastner & Gibbs PLLC
> Seattle, WA
> Phone: (206) 233-2964
> Fax: (206) 628-6611
> www.wkg.com
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