unique_boy

Hi,

Anybody had any difficulties with this? I have decided to rent a U-haul to pick up some furniture at Ikea this weekend and brave the NY roads!!

According to the Uhaul website it states you can rent with an international drivers license. However I have previously read that once you are a resident in a borough your international license is actually void and you should get a US license. I think I also read that there is a 6 month grace period?

Anybody had issues / experience?

unique_boy

This seems to answer my question

Driving in New York State | New York State DMV

I need a New York State License within 30 days.

Pulaski

You will likely have to take a road test, while might be impractical within 30 days, but you do need to show you have used your best efforts to get your license ASAP. If you can spare the time you will likely find test dates available much sooner in more rural areas. I took my road test the following week in Herkimer, NY, when I lived in Westchester County, where the wait time for a road test was almost three months!

unique_boy

It is unclear though that within the first 30 days of arriving if you can still drive on your international license?

Pulaski

Yes, you can, and in practice and with caution beyond 30 days IF you can show best efforts to obtain a NY license i.e. you have completed the classroom training and computer test, and are just waiting for the road test.

unique_boy

Yes the way I am reading it is the 30 day is a grace period. Realistically there is no difference on you driving as a visitor and as a resident on an international DL within 30 days. Hopefully I just don't get pulled over!

MsElui

realistically no difference- but i wouldnt want to chance the insurance company using that to wriggle out of paying up a claim.

Pulaski

Not "grace", that implies discretion. You CAN legally drive on a foreign license for 30 days in NY (with an international permit if the license isn't in English) and you will have no problem if you're pulled over by the police (other than with what you've been pulled over for! ). Beyond 30 days is more like a "grace period" in that you need to show you've used best efforts to get a license and hope the cop is in a good mood!

GeoffM

Just referring to the U-Haul with a valid foreign license bit, yes it can be done, did it myself, though the agent might have to phone HQ for instructions.

Bob

The IDP is a red herring, unless your foreign license isn't in English, it's pointless to get.

That said, yeah, what Pulaski said above.

unique_boy

Thanks for the advice! Now I just need some tips for driving in NY!

Nutmegger

City or state? The biggie that I always remind my visitors is that they must stop for a yellow school bus with blinking stop lights from either direction. Here's the manual for you to swat up!

Driver's Manual & Practice Tests | New York State DMV

unique_boy

Thanks, it is the city. Driving from Midtown west to brooklyn Ikea and back. Looks to be fairly straight forward as onto the motorway down to the tunnel and a right turn on the other side. Seems simple it probably won't be!

rpjs

Everyone else on the road is bonkers.

MsElui

round here - the ikea will deliver (for a charge) that could be cheaper than hiring??