Originally Posted by neil

Where does it say it's illegal to drive that long on a foreign license? A friend of mine has been in the US for over 10 years and still uses his UK licence and has had no issues with being a named driver on his (USC) wife's insurance with it (he's been pulled over a couple of times and it's not been an issue).

Originally Posted by Gripper

Hi everyone

I would appreciate some advice.

The story so far.. short version! - questions at the end.

Came here on fiance visa

Married - filed all paperwork etc.

2 Yrs later - filed for removal of conditions - extended current permanent resident card for one year and waiting.

Few months later - Marriage breakdown

So i moved out last Thursday because it was all getting too much to bear.
My wife didn't appreciate this, removed me from the car insurance and demanded the return of the car saying she would report it as stolen.
I returned the car.
Now I'm stuck without a ride because both of our vehicles are registered in my wife's name.

Unfortunately I haven't got round to getting my full PA Driver's license (have learners permit and test is scheduled for August 12th.)
I have been running around using my UK License since I came here ( I have been stopped once by a cop and he didn't say anything about it).


First problem is that I don't have a car to take the test in.

Plan A - I asked to borrow my work vehicle but the insurance doesn't cover private use.

Plan B - I was thinking about getting an International Driver's Permit as these are valid in PA with a foreign license for one year. Next step - buy a car. I think I will be able to get insurance as the progressive website allowed me to select "foreign license" and I was covered using my UK license on my wife's insurance.
I can reschedule the test and I won't need an accompanying driver if I have the IDP (as per the DMV website).

Plan C - The only other option I can think of is to ask my friend to put me on their insurance (me paying the extra cost of course) so that I can take the driver's test. I don't want to really want to do this as he is already picking me up and dropping me off at work (he works at the same place too).

My questions are:-

Can I insure a car that I don't own to get me through the test ( I was thinking of insuring the Company Scion XB) and then switch the insurance to another car when purchased?

Can I title and register a car in PA using my UK license and an International Driver's Permit?

Can I title and register a car in PA with a learner's permit? I think this a no.


The ironic thing - my wife works at a Tag and Title place !!

Thanks in advance

Gripper

PS - yes I'm a dumba$$ for not getting my license sooner.

Originally Posted by neil

Where does it say it's illegal to drive that long on a foreign license? A friend of mine has been in the US for over 10 years and still uses his UK licence and has had no issues with being a named driver on his (USC) wife's insurance with it (he's been pulled over a couple of times and it's not been an issue).

Originally Posted by blaze

I guess I don't need to answer that as everyone else has done it for me!

Originally Posted by Sarah

Sorry to hear about your marriage. I'm in PA and so I would suggest against getting an international license as they take ages to come through anyway and you have to get someone in the UK to file the papers for you.

PA drivers test is easy-peasy and so I really think the best hassle-free option would be to go with a driving school and use their car for test, they'll also take you and to the test and probably give you a ride to work, letting your mate off the hook. Then once you've passed you'll have a DL and be able to get yourself sorted with a car.
Plus you'll have what is basically an ID card in this country and once you have you'll realise how invaluble it is.
Best of luck, with the Philly DMV.

Originally Posted by jumping doris

Hi
We applied for our international drivers permits while we were living here. Went online to the AA website and downloaded the docs, sent them off and the licences arrived within two weeks. We bought and insured two cars using UK licences. We should get our PA ones ,it's just this thing of having to get the physical first.

Originally Posted by blaze

Taken from the 'US embassy of London' website:


Will my British driver's license be adequate for renting a car?
The U.S.A. has an agreement with most countries whereby the renter's full national driving license may be used for a period of up to one year in the U.S.A. This applies to the full U.K. driving license. Provisional licenses are not acceptable.

Originally Posted by jumping doris

Hi
We applied for our international drivers permits while we were living here. Went online to the AA website and downloaded the docs, sent them off and the licences arrived within two weeks. We bought and insured two cars using UK licences. We should get our PA ones ,it's just this thing of having to get the physical first.

Originally Posted by jumping doris

We haven't seen a doc in years. Haven't needed to (touch wood) and so we haven't got around to finding one here. Our medical insurance doesn't require us to have a primary care physician so it has been low on our list. I am assuming that it would be a primary care person who would do the medical.
We have found a pediatrician for our children so we can be quite responsible and of course we have a vet for the dog

Originally Posted by Ray

This applies to visitors not Permanent Resident Aliens

Originally Posted by blaze

Requirements

Many legal requirements vary by state. Please be sure to check our individual state pages for the requirements that relate to your specific destination.




Okay, how about this:



Taken from drivingabroad.co.uk:


Requirements
Many legal requirements vary by state. Please be sure to check our individual state pages for the requirements that relate to your specific destination.

Driving licence:In the U.S.A you are not required to carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) if you hold a valid driving licence, but often you are required to have held your licence for a minimum of one year and a foreign driving licence is normally only valid for a year.In the U.S.A and Canada driving licence’s include the drivers photograph, so if you are from a country where this is not the case it is wise to also carry your passport to avoid any unnecessary complications or delays should you have to produce it. If you are from the U.K. remember to take both parts of your driving licence (photo card and paper licence with the further details).

Originally Posted by Jerseygirl

Sorry Blaze but I don't think that is the best source of information. Foreign licenses are only valid for 1 yr? What are both parts of a UK licence...you either have a paper one or you have surrended it for the new photo ID type...as I have.
Your certainly cannot drive around as a US resident for 1 yr on a UK license in NJ and most other states.