Jerseygirl

We took our test and bought a car within 2 weeks are arriving here...so it can be done. Those are the rules for the state you want to live in...you want to live there you have to abide with them...it's as simple as that.

tamms_1965

Why are you only allowed to drive for 30 days on your UK license? Maybe my agent was incorrect, but she said it was a year (for insurance anyway). When does your 30 days start?

On the Ohio website it says "Once you are an Ohio resident, you need to become an official Ohio driver as soon as possible. You are considered an Ohio resident once you: take a job, sign a lease, buy a home, register to vote, or enroll children in school."

http://www.bmv.ohio.gov/misc/new_resident.htm

BritishGuy36

Surely becoming an LPR (legal permanent resident) means that wherever you live, you are classed as being resident there. I dunno.

Therefore, I figured 30 days from entering the US, I would need to take the test.

Jerseygirl

Have you looked at Ohio's DMV website? The rules and regs are different from state to state...some states require 30 days...some allow several months.

Gingerert

Urm... what's an MBE? (Other than being a Member of the British Empire) When my package arrived there was my passport and an intriguing yellow envelope with DO NOT OPEN UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES stamped across the seal in big red letters. You have to take it straight to Border Control when you arrive in the US and they open it. Shockingly, if you're the curious type and don't obey, it's invalid and they could send you straight back to the beginning of the entire process.

So DON'T open it!

In case you are curious... the envelope contains all the paperwork you've ever submitted in one handy location. That way, the border guards have it all to hand and know you're not lying about anything (reason for keeping it sealed), and can send it straight to the DHS when you arrive and get fingerprinted like a criminal.

Ah, good times... good times... happy days...

chicagojlo

So far we've found Progressive and AIG Direct to have the best rates for 'new drivers' and by that I mean people with no US driving history or credit.

BritishGuy36

I know all about the envelope.....but I've always heard it referred to as the Mysterious Brown Envelope.... I guess yours was an MYE.

BritishGuy36

As I've stated in this thread, I've spent a lot of time on that website, and it's not clear what the situation is for immigrants/LPRs. I'm only asking questions here that there are no clear answers to on the website.

But thanks for your response.

Irritatingly, there appears to be no "general" email address for enquiries to the OH BMV.

I suppose I will have to phone them and spend ages trying to get them to understand my funny British accent.

Kaffy Mintcake

Actually there is a form to e-mail them on their website. Click on "Email the Registrar".

http://www.bmv.ohio.gov/misc/bmv_contacts.htm

Gingerert

Gotcha! I'm with you now...

fatbrit

It's also not unknown to find no clear answers from the delightful staff when you visit. You'll get used to it.....

tamms_1965

That all depends on where you go. I live close to an air force base and the people at the county level are quite educated on this subject. They deal with citizens and permanent residents moving into the area on a regular basis.

BritishGuy36

Great....

I suppose it's too much to ask for people to know how to do their own job...

BritishGuy36

Thanks.

But being a staunch Liverpool supporter, I couldn't bring myself to give money to Man U's sponsors even if it was half price.

meauxna

Dittos on the State Farm experience. They seem very immigrant-friendly.

There is no one running around keeping tabs of all this though, except you.

Nope. Your immigration status name only matters to Immigration. The IRS has another definition of what makes you a 'resident' and so does each State's DMV. You need to float along in the Land of the Unknown Tongue.

The old marriage-based visa group's FAQ page was named The Mysterious Brown Envelope, it's something that has hung on since then.
Brownish manila-y colored.. it's a big fat envelope with everything you've submitted so far.. it will be known as your A-file when you arrive in the US. It will go to The Cave for long term storage, to be pulled out at your various future immigration stops.