F-1 visa & driving
#1
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 3
F-1 visa & driving
I’m an F-1 visa holder until 2020, I’m twenty, in Portland OR, and hoping to stay with a new visa after I graduate. I have a UK license (no violations but two accidents - one to blame, the other not) and have held it for three years. I need to get a car for my internship, but insurance is expensive and I was advised that if I get my state license, it’s cheaper. However, I know I need to take a test in my own car with insurance, but I don’t want to purchase expensive insurance on my foreign license to have to pay it.
Firstly, do UK license holders have to take the driving test here or is it waived? Secondly, insurance!!!! Who’s a good insurer?
Firstly, do UK license holders have to take the driving test here or is it waived? Secondly, insurance!!!! Who’s a good insurer?
#2
Re: F-1 visa & driving
Yes you need a US license. The UK does not have reciprocity with the US (I believe Germany do though?).
Insurance wise, anyone's guess. I'm with Geico and they're pretty good but there is a lot to choose from so much like the UK, shop around and find the best deal.
Are you not able to rent a car and use that for your driving test? I believe others have done it but I don't know whether that's an option in OR.
Insurance wise, anyone's guess. I'm with Geico and they're pretty good but there is a lot to choose from so much like the UK, shop around and find the best deal.
Are you not able to rent a car and use that for your driving test? I believe others have done it but I don't know whether that's an option in OR.
#3
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 3
Re: F-1 visa & driving
Okay! I’m curious as well that if I get a license here, so I need to tell insurers about my accidents since they’re not on that license nor in this country?
#4
Re: F-1 visa & driving
Your US driving history is essentially clean as you don't have any, and that's all they're insuring you on.
#5
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Joined: Mar 2018
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Re: F-1 visa & driving
Do I, when filling out insurance quotes, have to say (hypothetically) that I only have 1 years driving experience?
#6
Re: F-1 visa & driving
Are you referring to US license length or UK driving license length as I thought your original post stated that you'd had it for three years?
#7
Re: F-1 visa & driving
I’m an F-1 visa holder until 2020, I’m twenty, in Portland OR, and hoping to stay with a new visa after I graduate. I have a UK license (no violations but two accidents - one to blame, the other not) and have held it for three years. I need to get a car for my internship, but insurance is expensive and I was advised that if I get my state license, it’s cheaper. However, I know I need to take a test in my own car with insurance, but I don’t want to purchase expensive insurance on my foreign license to have to pay it.
Firstly, do UK license holders have to take the driving test here or is it waived? Secondly, insurance!!!! Who’s a good insurer?
Firstly, do UK license holders have to take the driving test here or is it waived? Secondly, insurance!!!! Who’s a good insurer?
First of all go the your state’s DMV website for information. Every state has different rules and regs. Are you sure you have to take the test in your car? We lived in NJ...my daughter took her test in a driving school’s car because it had to be a vehicle with a handbrake at the side of the driver and none of our vehicles had this. We only had to take a written test as we had UK DLs.
Many people on here have said Geiko are good for auto insurance.
#8
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Joined: Feb 2017
Location: Newnan, GA
Posts: 802
Re: F-1 visa & driving
If you are not seeking to use your UK driving to get no claims, which only some will do anyway, then you put down the date you pass the test over here.