I am not a teenager, where I understand the laws may be different, but a full grown adult. Just curious, used to enjoy the restaurants in Windsor...
Rona Lachat
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What changed? $$$$$$$ US Politicians. Exaggerated Media Claims. Basically the World On September 11 2001.
You DO NOT have to have a Passport. An Enhanced Drivers License or Passport card works too.
http://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,1607,7-127-1627_8669_9040-213056--,00.html
A new Bridge would have been built years ago. Some Billionaire does not make enough off the current Toll Revenue he fights anyone else making a dollar or two.
87-year-old billionaire named Manuel “Matty” Moroun, Has many Politicians on his payroll.
He also makes lots of money at his gas station where he does not pay tax.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2012-05-03/matty-moroun-detroits-border-baron
You could say American Greed and Just Business to make Profit. That it does nothing for the People and City of Detroit is not his concern.
Sad thousands of jobs and redevelopment of large areas need to wait until he dies.
US wants a more secure Border with the Outside World. Many on Both sides of the Border miss the old days of an easy crossing. Going for dinner, to watch a movie, see the game or whatever.
Back in the day it was not that hard to live on one side and work on the other.
A few Bad people on the Planet make it difficult for many.
capitalgentleman
The USA changed it's laws after 9/11 happened. Canada did not.
Legally, while you do not need a passport to drive from the USA to Canada, you do going the other way, even if you are American.
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9/11. Oh, and that guy that tried to smuggle a bunch of explosives into Washington in 1999.
The US cracked down on how easily they let people cross the border.
Also, you don't need a passport. You can also use anything that is WHTI compliant.
SteveN
The "Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative" was introduced by United States government. It came into effect in June 2009.
You can still drive to Windsor from Detroit. You just can't roll up to the booth now and say "I'm American. Can I come in?" You now need to provide proof of your identity. That's a US rule, we are just following the regulations your government laid out. Don't like it? Complain to your congressman.
If you want to travel to Canada and you live in Michigan, your options are:
1) Enhanced Driver License (EDL) for $45
http://www.dmv.org/driving-abroad/passport-license.php#Enhanced-Drivers-License
2) Passport card for $55 (or $30 renewal)
https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/information/card.html
3) Passport book for $135 (or $110 for renewal)
https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/information/card/PassportBook_vs_PassportCard.html
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You still legally can enter Canada with the ID you used to use. The problem is you cannot get back into the USA with that ID. So, Canada, not wanting to be stuck with people with insufficient ID decided to require the same ID that the USA requires.
The USA got scared and changed their laws.