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Enhanced Drivers License vs. Passport for drivers potentially traveling to Canada

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by goblue, Jan 15, 2013.

  1. Jan 15, 2013 #1
    goblue

    goblue Road Train Member

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    Dec 23, 2012
    Grand Prairie, Texas
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    I obtained my enhanced drivers license from Michigan a year ago when i renewed my license and upgraded to a Chauffer License for reasons other than commercial driving. Obtaining both was a rather simple process and I think the enhanced drivers license maybe cost me $25 bucks more or something like that.

    Now that i am soon to begin company training to obtain my CDL and potentially drive into Canada as a company driver, my question is...is there a benefit to having a passport for Canada border crossings if you have the enhanced drivers license?

    Any advice from those experienced crossing into Canada would be appreciated.

    Also, for the company I am joining Mexico was not mentioned....Do some of the starters transport to Mexico? Honestly I just don't know how much freight goes South via US carriers.

    thanks
     
    goblue, Jan 15, 2013
    goblue, Jan 15, 2013
    #1
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  3. Jan 15, 2013 #2
    TruckerPete1990

    TruckerPete1990 Road Train Member

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    Jul 16, 2012
    Bentonville Arkansas
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    Ur nuts if u wanna go into mexico. Bad place to be. They could not pay me enough to go there. Most company's don't send drivers there the Mexicans bring it accros.
     
    TruckerPete1990, Jan 15, 2013
    TruckerPete1990, Jan 15, 2013
    #2
    Joker85 Thanks this.
  4. Jan 15, 2013 #3
    Mommas_money_maker

    Mommas_money_maker Road Train Member

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    Oct 2, 2011
    North Carolina
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    I have an enhanced CDl from WA state and cross the Canadian border all the time. All the passport does extra is allow you to fly in instead of drive or ride on a boat and allows you to go overseas also (IE. England, Australia, ETC). I wouldnt go to Mexico in a truck no matter what is paid.
     
    Mommas_money_maker, Jan 15, 2013
    Mommas_money_maker, Jan 15, 2013
    #3
    jomar68 and CMacho60 Thank this.
  5. Jan 15, 2013 #4
    KoolKid

    KoolKid Light Load Member

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    Jun 15, 2008
    Arkansas
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    Passport or not.. Canada will Inspect you. You are in a commercial vehicle. I doubt either or is faster. But no matter what you will have your CDL thats all you need. As far as mexico. I dont know of any US Carriers that transport into mexico other than the drop yards near the border. Actually driving into mexico is a suicide mission. Like TruckerPete1990 said: "They could not pay me enough to go there".
     
    KoolKid, Jan 15, 2013
    KoolKid, Jan 15, 2013
    #4
  7. Jan 15, 2013 #5
    Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    10,642
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    May 28, 2009
    Rancho Mirage, Ca.
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    Yeah, you'll drop it at the border (U.S./Mex) and a mexican driver will take it over and bring it back. The trailer will cross, but not the driver. I believe an enhanced DL will take the place of a passport. I just went into Canada 6 months ago for a vacation and did not need a passport. There are a few exceptions to the passport rule, I can't remember if an enhanced DL is one of them. But for sure, me being a Canadian citizen living in the U.S. with a "green card" entitles me to cross back and forth without a passport. Actually, anywhere in the western hemisphere.
     
    Allow Me., Jan 15, 2013
    Allow Me., Jan 15, 2013
    #5
  8. Jan 15, 2013 #6
    pokerhound67

    pokerhound67 Heavy Load Member

    801
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    Oct 30, 2012
    0
    no you wont go into mexico. us drivers drop loads at border towns (laredo is the one ive seen most) and a mexican driver picks it up there. i had been driving about 3 months when i got a 4500 mile load said destination was somewhere in mexico (i forget where). stared in disbelief for a few minutes, hands getting clammy. did ALL trip routing. considered just quitting...worked myself into quite a fernzy. finally called to confirm, after maybe 15 minutes of making myself sick. was explained to me that i was dropping in laredo. WHAT A NOOB!!! (me i mean)

    no advantage in trucking that i know of to getting a passport vs enhanced. but if you plan on traveling outside then country (on vacation), you will need one. so if you havent gotten it ALREADY, its something to consider. if you have a current enhanced, no need to upgrade til you are planning that trip to france. enhanced WILL allow you to go into canada and mexico, as well as take cruises, but is not enough to travel to europe or other overseas locations.
     
    pokerhound67, Jan 15, 2013
    pokerhound67, Jan 15, 2013
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    Homemade1959 Thanks this.
  9. Jan 15, 2013 #7
    mattbh23

    mattbh23 Heavy Load Member

    732
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    Dec 19, 2011
    Benton Harbor, MI
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    When I upgraded my license here in MI I went ahead and got an enhanced license. I haven't been to Canada yet but I know I will be going one day. I will probably get a passport just to have it, you never know when you will need it.
     
    mattbh23, Jan 15, 2013
    mattbh23, Jan 15, 2013
    #7
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