Info about Passports and drivers licence

I just renewed my drivers licence it's due end of the month, but wanted to get there before it gets busy. Anyway I asked about whether my new licence would have the chip in it and I explained why I wanted to know for our road trips to the states.

She informed me you have to make an appointment to renew your licence to apply for the chip and that it is much easier to get a passport than to apply for the chip. So I thought I would give you all a heads up.

I said what is the holigraph for on my new licence and she said nothing just a new thing on them. I assume that may be where the chip would be put if you applied for it.

You can get your passport at the Whitby Mall and your photo taken at the shop right beside the passport office there. Most people I know have had it back in less than two weeks.

So folks if your planning to go to Saginaw and Windsor you best be moving your butt and get them done!!!

UGENS(Karon)

I went to the Whitby Mall on a Saturday morning for my passport in June '08 and it arrived in the mail on the Friday of that same week - six-day response time! I was certainly impressed.

What is the cost comparison of the Chip vs. the Passport?

I never asked her how much once she implied it would take a lot longer to get the chip than the passport. Lets face it the chip is only good to travel into the States the passport you can use to travel anywhere besides the States!!!!

UGENS(Karon)

isn't the nearest chip location toronto? or at least it was when they first started doing it

All I can suggest is to go to where you renew your licence and have all the guestions you want answered on a piece of paper. I only asked if the chip was automatic with the licence when you renewed and she told me you have to make an appointment. Also that it was quicker to get your passport than this chip. That's all I can tell you the rest you need to look into yourself.

UGENS(Karon)

The enhanced drivers licence is a special licence. You have to apply for it. You book an appt through Service Ontario. Their website details all the documents and information you will need for your appointment. Appointments are booked in the Toronto office (on Bay Street I think) only at this time.

The enhanced driver licence may be a bit cheaper than a passport, but obtaining a passport is much more convenient (Whitby). Also, the enhanced driver licence is ONLY good for border crossing by car. You would still need a passport for air travel anyway

Is there an expiry date to the enhanced driver's license? I didn't find that info. Maybe I missed it. I know passports do expire though.

The enhanced driver licence expiry date is the same as your driver licence expiry date. You can find all this info and more at www. serviceontario.ca

UGENS wrote:I just renewed my drivers licence it's due end of the month,UGENS(Karon)

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