Passports, Drivers License, Caribbean?

[Tanny]

Hi all!

For those Canadians who live aboard in the Caribbean, how have you dealt with renewing your Passport and what have you done about things like your Drivers License?

I understand that Canada allows you to renew your passport by mail from the US once, if the previous passport was issued in Canada, but after that do you have to return to Canada and have a Canadian address in order to renew?

And how about your Drivers License? Is there such a thing as an International Drivers License? Do you have to have a land base residence in order to renew you Canadian Drivers License?

[Faster]

Not sure about the exact rules here, but just wanted to point out that I don't think too many Canadians living aboard in the Caribbean do so year-round for any extended period.

Everyone we know (or know of) that does this sort of thing is usually on a 6-month-South, 6-month-home program giving them ample opportunity for these kinds of housekeeping items when they are in Canada. Most of them maintain a residence here as well.

I believe there is such a thing as an International driver's license, but not sure it's strictly necessary. We rented a car in Dominica a few years back without one.

[krozet]

Couldn't you just use the address of a relative? That's what I plan on doing once I pull up anchor, transfer my address on my drivers license / credit reports / governments info... to my parents house. My mother had no issue with the idea and then I know everything is going somewhere safe.

[canadianseamonkey]

I can help you somewhat. You'll be able to use your current drivers license for 15 days on most caribbean islands, but it might be worth getting an IDP.
International Driving Permit - Canadian Automobile Association | Association canadienne des automobilistes

I was told that you have up to 1 year after the expiry of your license to renew it.

I know nothing about the passport. I just got a new one in case, so I'm good for 5 years.