Do you need a passport to drive into Canada from the USA?

Question

I have plans to go to Canada and I need to know if I am going to need a passport

Answer 1

No, not yet I beleve. Though a rule of some sort should start in 2008 should start though in 2008.

Answer 2

No you do not. There is absolutely NO plans for this now, or in the future.

All of the current regulations deal with "entry and re-entry" to the USA. With flying that started January 23, 2007. For land and sea that can start as soon as January 2008. (but may be as late as 2009)

This is the confusion: you can GO INTO Canada with your basic ID...drivers license and original birth certificate for most people. But...you will want to come home. That is where you get your "re-entry" to the USA where you will need a passport.

The terms used in the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative are based on "entry or re-entry" to the USA, not Canada. Keep in mind that the WHTI is an American law.

Take a read of this:

Media Note
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
November 22, 2006
Passports Required for Air Travel to United States as of January 23, 2007

The Departments of State and Homeland Security announced today that the requirement for citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda to present a passport to enter the United States when arriving by air from any part of the Western Hemisphere will begin on January 23, 2007.

This change in travel document requirements is the result of recommendations made by the 9/11 Commission, which Congress subsequently passed into law in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. These new travel document requirements make up the Departments' Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). In order to obtain national security benefits as quickly as possible, and to expedite the processing of arriving passengers, the plan will be implemented in two phases.

The first phase involves travel by air and requires all citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda to have a passport or other accepted document that establishes the bearer's identity and nationality to enter or re-enter the United States from within the Western Hemisphere. The final rule for the air phase of the WHTI rule will be published in the Federal Register on November 24, where it can be viewed at www.regulations.gov . That rule is also available on the Department's consular web site, travel.state.gov and on the Department of Homeland Security's web site, www.dhs.gov.

A separate proposed rule addressing land and sea travel will be published at a later date proposing specific requirements for travelers entering the United States through land and sea border crossings. As early as January 1, 2008, U.S. citizens traveling between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea could be required to present a valid U.S. passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible.

The Department has dedicated additional resources and personnel to meet the increased demand for passports generated by these requirements. In Fiscal Year 2006, the Department issued a record 12.1 million passports to American citizens, and anticipates issuing 16 million passports in Fiscal Year 2007. U.S. citizens can find information about how to apply for a passport at travel.state.gov or by calling 1-877-487-2778.

Answer 3

Looks like a lot of hearsay answers. Check my link for the facts.

Sometime next year you will need a passport to drive to Canada. The date isn't firm yet, it is sometime between January and June. Right now you can still cross the borders with a driver's license and a birth certificate.

The new rule last month only concerned flying.

Answer 4

You do not need it to drive. Only to fly. The rules are expected to change in the next year. The info below was cut and pasted directly from the state dept. website.


Passports Required for Air Travel to United States as of January 23, 2007



The Departments of State and Homeland Security announced today that the requirement for citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda to present a passport to enter the United States when arriving by air from any part of the Western Hemisphere will begin on January 23, 2007.

This change in travel document requirements is the result of recommendations made by the 9/11 Commission, which Congress subsequently passed into law in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. These new travel document requirements make up the Departments' Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). In order to obtain national security benefits as quickly as possible, and to expedite the processing of arriving passengers, the plan will be implemented in two phases.

The first phase involves travel by air and requires all citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda to have a passport or other accepted document that establishes the bearer's identity and nationality to enter or re-enter the United States from within the Western Hemisphere. The final rule for the air phase of the WHTI rule will be published in the Federal Register on November 24, where it can be viewed at www.regulations.gov . That rule is also available on the Department's consular web site, travel.state.gov and on the Department of Homeland Security's web site, www.dhs.gov.

A separate proposed rule addressing land and sea travel will be published at a later date proposing specific requirements for travelers entering the United States through land and sea border crossings. As early as January 1, 2008, U.S. citizens traveling between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea could be required to present a valid U.S. passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible.

The Department has dedicated additional resources and personnel to meet the increased demand for passports generated by these requirements. In Fiscal Year 2006, the Department issued a record 12.1 million passports to American citizens, and anticipates issuing 16 million passports in Fiscal Year 2007. U.S. citizens can find information about how to apply for a passport at travel.state.gov or by calling 1-877-487-2778.

Answer 5

Not at present. But beginning as early as next January, you will. Currently, you only need a passport if you're flying.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

Answer 6

The rules have changed or are changing. You used to be able to cross with just photo I.D.. You will need a passport soon. You can check the state departments web site for info.

http://www.state.gov/

Answer 7

No i dont think so, because i just moved there from Michigan. I had to show mine, because i'm not American, but none of my friends had passports just Michigan drivers license. And that got them in and out, butt since 911 you have to show birth certificate from time to time.

Answer 8

No, you do not, but in a year you will have to. That's if you're driving, however if you're flying to Canada you do have to have a passport.

Answer 9

nope you will only need your passport if you plan on flying back from canada to the states..

you only need your pastport to fly into the states..

Answer 10

Yes you do and you should really get one soon since sometimes it can take a while to get it. It's a good thing to have anyway and the good thing about it is that it doesn't expire for another 10 years.

Have fun in Canada, eh! :)