In around a month I'll be making my first trip to Canada using a brand new passport card. Please, someone, reassure me that it's going to work out fine. I don't know why I'm nervous about it but I am. I live very close to the border and drive across all the time, but I've always used a passport in the past. However, it's a bit of a drag to have to remember to take it when we're just popping over from Detroit to Windsor for dinner at the Blue Danube or a concert at Mackenzie Hall. Better to have the card which I can just stick in my wallet and it will always be there when I need it. This time I'll be crossing at the Bluewater Bridge in Port Huron/Sarnia and don't want to have to turn around and drive 90 minutes back home because I've done something wrong.
For land border crossings, you should have no issue.
I used my brand new passport card in June - for a road trip from Vermont to Montreal. It worked - going both directions! So nothing to worry about.
Your guvmint told you it will work.
You don't trust your guvmint???
You'll be fine using it to travel to most places that are right around the US. Most people get their cards for the Caribbean, etc.
The card will only work on closed loop cruises (begin & end in same US port)) in Caribbean. If for some reason you need to fly home from the Caribbean a pp card will not work.
As stated they were originally intended for people who live near a border (like you) and cross frequently as a more convenient option that fit in a wallet.
It got me into Canada last Friday and, hopefully, will get me back into the US next Saturday.