US without a passport

[daisybear]

Has anyone tried to cross into the US by car without a passport?? I did read in the paper about a month ago that they were still letting drivers with birth certificate and photo id cross due to large waits for passports. Is this true?? Anyone tried it??

[travelgeek]

There was some leniency for a few weeks after the rule came into effect (Jun 1). The law is almost 2 months old so I'm sure it will be enforced now. When I crossed a couple wks ago, everyone in the line handed over passports. Personally I would only cross with a passport. They might let you in without one, but be prepared for the possibility that you will be denied entry.

[batman1978_]

Maybe try calling them and ask if you can still cross with out a passport. It would be a real pain if you get there wait in line, just to be turn away.

[travelgeek]

One thing I've learned out of all my years of travelling is that border agents can be incredibly inconsistent. Where I would get grilled like a well done steak on one occasion, I'll get another which won't even open the passport to look at the photo page.

Just saying that even if one border agent tells you it's ok, when you get to the border you could get one who's in a real bad mood.

[daisybear]

darm it... I really just want to go for dinner to Cracker Barrel. I was hoping to put off the passport thing!

[SavingKarina]

I got my passport in end of June in Mississauga and there wasn't a huge line-up like before, so I suspect they would only accept passports now.

[daisybear]

I got my passport in end of June in Mississauga and there wasn't a huge line-up like before, so I suspect they would only accept passports now.

Thanks, I'm just being cheap, we don't have any vaction time off until Jan 2010 so was thinking I would put it off until then

[travelgeek]

If you don't anticipate travelling internationally or to the US by air, you could apply for the enhanced driver's license, which only costs $40.

http://www.news.ontario.ca/mto/en/20...s-licence.html

[vibrantflame]

If you don't anticipate travelling internationally or to the US by air, you could apply for the enhanced driver's license, which only costs $40.

http://www.news.ontario.ca/mto/en/20...s-licence.html

Just a note though, there is only 5 or 6 places you can go in Ontario to get your EDL, so it might be a bit of a hassle if you're not close to one of those places. Like for me, I live near North Bay but I'd have to go to Toronto or Ottawa to get an EDL.

[Patty Smyth]

If you don't anticipate travelling internationally or to the US by air, you could apply for the enhanced driver's license, which only costs $40.

http://www.news.ontario.ca/mto/en/20...s-licence.html

They have that here in Quebec too but I decided to pass on it. if they border has the technology to scan your drivers license from a distance I'm sure the bad guys are working on their own version.

[Tuktu60]

darm it... I really just want to go for dinner to Cracker Barrel. I was hoping to put off the passport thing!

Oh daisybear - you are my new best friend!! I LOVE Cracker Barrel and I often drive to Watertown NY just to eat there. That is my favorite restaurant ever. And the store is fabulous too - especially at XMAS time. Reminds me - I should do a Cracker Barrel run this weekend!

[daisybear]

Oh daisybear - you are my new best friend!! I LOVE Cracker Barrel and I often drive to Watertown NY just to eat there. That is my favorite restaurant ever. And the store is fabulous too - especially at XMAS time. Reminds me - I should do a Cracker Barrel run this weekend!

This weekend!! Your making my mouth water for cheese casserole and their pancake syrup! (not together)
And yes, I agree Christmas at Cracker Barrel is great, most of our tree decorations came from there a few years ago...we even have a tiny cracker barrel hanging on our tree!!

[fanofearl]

There's also the NEXUS card that you can get that is good for air travel. It costs $50 for 5 years and here in Niagara (about 30 minutes from the Cracker Barrel on Transit Road in Cheektowaga ) there's even a dedicated bridge for NEXUS users only. You even get a break on the tolls (about 0.75 cheaper) with NO long lines to wait in.

[mdutka]

ok, so i am thinking i might just get the edl but what about my kids? i have a 2 year old and a baby...do i need passports for them?

[batman1978_]

All persons need a passport. My nephew is 5 months old and my sister in-law had to get one for him.