Traveling to Canada with a DUI?

[JSCC]

We are putting together a trip to Revelstoke in January. While doing some research, we found that Canada will not allow someone with a DUI on there record into the country. We have one of our group that got a DUI 8 years ago.

So my question is, has anyone with a DUI traveled to Canada driving, been declined access to Canada? Is this a common occurrence? And finally, what is the chance of getting checked if he is not driving?

 

[Blk88GT]

It works both ways, Canadians with a DUI cannot enter the US.

With that said, I've been with people that have a DUI on their record and they have not been denied entry. However, it's well within the realm of possibility that they could be. Best bet is to get a pardon. Any lawyer can make it happen.

 

[smokindave]

I have not heard this about entering Canada but have heard the USA has a zero tolerance for any record. I would try as it is pretty easy to enter our country. Just make sure that if there is a problem that he has bus fare as I wouldn't turn around on his account. Eight years ago I just can't see them hassling him. Hope all goes well as you will love Revelstoke. I wouldn't have him drive or bring his vehicle just sit calm and be honest if asked about pasts as they will find out anyways.Being 8 years old I think most border patrols would let you through.Our goverment pretends to be tough but are forgiving. Good luck

Cheers,
Dave

 

[rdr99]

It is up to the discreation of the Border agent. Sometimes you can buy some kind of bond deal, think it is $2-300. Best bet is to call the border and ask. As long as it is on your record, they can refuse entry. Like others have said, get it expunged from your record.

 

[smokindave]

It works both ways, Canadians with a DUI cannot enter the US.

With that said, I've been with people that have a DUI on their record and they have not been denied entry. However, it's well within the realm of possibility that they could be. Best bet is to get a pardon. Any lawyer can make it happen.

When a pardon is issued it is a pardon from your particular country.If you have been denied access in the past the info along with your record will be on interpole and will never disappear.A pardon is only from the country that gives it to you.I wouldn't waste my money on a pardon unless it was for employment purposes in the country you live in. We also have a thing called a ministers permit that will let him in but takes time and money. Good Luck.

Cheers,
Dave

 

[Gaz]

It is up to the discreation of the Border agent. Sometimes you can buy some kind of bond deal, think it is $2-300. Best bet is to call the border and ask. As long as it is on your record, they can refuse entry. Like others have said, get it expunged from your record.

Do you have any phone numbers for the border office on the Canadian side?

 

[tomx]

Make your DUI buddy drive his own rig and leave on the USA side of the border somewhere, in case he gets denied you can unload and carry on. Thats the breaks. Bring passports, be prepared to be rejected, but admit nothing.

Had a buddy get denied last year and they had to turn around and drive all the way back to Seattle to drop him off. On the other side of the coin, know many people who've crossed successfully without problems. It's a gamble for pow.

 

[slabm7]

I have not heard this about entering Canada but have heard the USA has a zero tolerance for any record. I would try as it is pretty easy to enter our country. Just make sure that if there is a problem that he has bus fare as I wouldn't turn around on his account. Eight years ago I just can't see them hassling him. Hope all goes well as you will love Revelstoke. I wouldn't have him drive or bring his vehicle just sit calm and be honest if asked about pasts as they will find out anyways.Being 8 years old I think most border patrols would let you through.Our goverment pretends to be tough but are forgiving. Good luck

Cheers,
Dave

Its harder to get into Canada with a DUI than the USA because in Canada its a Criminal offence and in the US its seen as a driving offence. I got one 9 years ago and whenever I go to the states and they ask me if I have a criminal record I tell them that I got a DUI 9 years ago in Canada and they don't even seem to care. I've never had a problem going either way. Just make sure you don't lie to them, they have all your information on there little computer and they are asking you questions they already know the answer to just to see if you are going to lie or not.

 

[Sako7STW]

Should be a good time! I cant imagine that if the person isnt driving that they would look too closely but bus ticket money wouldnt be a bad idea.

 

[JSCC]

When a pardon is issued it is a pardon from your particular country.If you have been denied access in the past the info along with your record will be on interpole and will never disappear.A pardon is only from the country that gives it to you.I wouldn't waste my money on a pardon unless it was for employment purposes in the country you live in. We also have a thing called a ministers permit that will let him in but takes time and money. Good Luck.

Cheers,
Dave

Ya we looked at getting it esponged(spell?), forgivin by the Canadian Gov. and what not, but like you said it takes time. Pretty crazy deal really.


How about the Passport comment. Is it really necessary, or can we still get away with bringing a Birth Certificate and a Drivers License?

At the Border, we are ten hours into our trip, it would really suck to have to turn around. So I appreciate all the information everyone can give.

 

[this1ultraflyz]

Find out if you can get some sort of pardon in the states. lawyer or google it and check it out.

 

[JSCC]

Should be a good time! I cant imagine that if the person isnt driving that they would look too closely but bus ticket money wouldnt be a bad idea.

Ha ha, Todd you need to call him and tell him he has to bring Bus money! *** that would be funny! Heck you just did, he'll be reading this!! LMAO!!

 

[Sako7STW]

If he wouldnt have been out playin with them womens and had his head where it shouldnt have been, he wouldnt had this problem . Just messin with ya brother....you know who you are!!

BTW, Thanks for the call! I will hang out up at mirror, riding the same ol trails in the same ol country. It's all good!

 

[gutshot]

Sorry to say but your buddy is @#it out of luck they won't let anyone with a dui across. I went up there this fall to go goose hunting and I haven't even been to court(not convicted of anything) yet and they denied me. The *** hole guard said you have to appear in court and even if you are not convicted of a dui they can still turn you down. I wouldn't even give it a go until his 5 years are up and even then you need tons of paper work proving you have completed your counseling and paid all your fines.

 

[gutshot]

oh and a ministers pass not likely I thought the same thing and thought it could work but the guard said no way if you are coming up for pleasure and probbally not even if it was work related, best bet would to tell them you have a family member dying and you must see them haha

 

[Surly1]

Its one of those things thats worth a try, but be prepared for him to get rejected. I have a cabin in Canada on Lake of the Woods where I take customers for fishing trips. Have had a guy get rejected at the border for a DUI 12 years ago. But have also been able to get people thru with a 5 year old DUI. It really just depends on the agent at the border.

Overall the best way is to get a pardon from the queen, but it will take you a few months and a few hundred dollars to get.

I would give it a shot, but he may be taking the bus home (as long as he knows and understands that from the beginning).

As for the passport, it just makes it easier right now. You can still use your drivers license and birth cert. I have noticed it cuts my time down drastically when everybody has a passport.

 

[Cyle]

A passport will help a TON. I'm 19 and when I went alone in my truck they let me threw with less questions with a passport then me and my 60 year old dad with just regular ID. Here is the problem, my dad has something minor 15 YEARS ago and was denied! I won't go into it but they ask if you've ever been arrested or in trouble with the law, that's it. It's not lieing if you tell them no for a DUI. The thing also is, they CANNOT bring up your record if you tell them no and they won't, and 99.9999% of the time they won't ask anything else and just let you go. I will tell you right now if you say yes, your heading back, they will go in all this BS then deny access. This was the flipside trying to go into US as a Canadian but it's the same thing. My dad went down about 2 times and never got asked about being arrested, then one time when we went down they did and denied him, it is retarded. The border is a place were you don't want to lie, but you don't tell them anymore then they need to know.

 

[Flit8.0]

You do realize that some border people on read this right?

 

[JSCC]

You do realize that some border people on read this right?

What difference does that make? I dont care if they know we are coming, we just want through!

 

[PLUMR]

you would be amazed at what stays on your permanent record even when it is not supposed to be there. In July I was nearly denied access to Canada for a MIP 34 years ago. Only arrested never convicted. As a minor it was supposed to be treated as never happening, but guess what. Now 4 months later a a lot of $ for attorney fees it still isn't cleared up. Was told by the border patrol it is hit and miss wether they do a full check or not. Since 911 border crossings (both ways) have been BS.