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I am 17 and I'm going to Canada to get my truck worked on and I need to know if I can get over there by myself and back and can I use my birth certificate and driver's license? It's just me driving my self with my dad in a different car so he can pick me up.

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    To clarify, are you driving yourself, or travelling with others? Do you have a passport or just a driver's license?
    – Mark Mayo
    Commented Oct 27, 2013 at 3:11
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    And I assume you're an American citizen, if you're asking about going 'over there' (ie over the land border?)?
    – Mark Mayo
    Commented Oct 27, 2013 at 3:12
  • yes im driving my self
    – Tyler
    Commented Oct 27, 2013 at 3:34
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    to get my truck worked on - What can they do there that they can't do here?
    – Karlson
    Commented Oct 27, 2013 at 16:44
  • Leaving aside the question of whether Canada will admit you, if you are a U.S. citizen you will need a passport or other WHTI-approved document like a NEXUS card or EDL to be readmitted (or spend a long time getting interviewed by CBP).
    – choster
    Commented Oct 28, 2013 at 2:13

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There is a pretty good description of what is required to enter Canada for US citizens on the US Department of State website. According to it you will need a proof of citizenship and a proof of identity. Which a Driver's license and an Original Birth certificate might suffice. On top of this because you're under 18 you might also have to have a notarized letter from your parents allowing you to leave the country.

Now the question becomes how will you be able to re-enter the US. As @choster pointed out there is a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative that is supposed to make travel easier. That being said you will need a NEXUS Card or an EDL along with you original birth certificate to re-enter. Something tells me that you're not in possession of the Nexus Card because it is usually obtain by frequent travelers between US and Canada.

Also according to WHTI site only 4 states in the US issue the EDLs and the more likely scenario in order to obtain one you will need to be in possession of a US Passport, though you don't have to but it makes things easier.

So in all I would suggest getting a Passport or doing the work in the US might be a lot easier if not cheaper.

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