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-   -   Can I transfer my UK drivers license? (https://britishexpats.com/forum/usa-57/can-i-transfer-my-uk-drivers-license-527159/)

azulniew Apr 6th 2008 6:41 am

Can I transfer my UK drivers license?
 
We are moving to Wisconsin. Will I be able to get a Wisconsin drivers license without taking tests etc.?

Thank you for any help

BritishGuy36 Apr 6th 2008 8:37 am

Re: Can I transfer my UK drivers license?
 
No. You will need to take a written test (multiple choice on a computer) and "skills" test (driving test). Everyone on here says the skills test is a doddle though.

Go to your future state's DMV/BMV website and you should be able to download their equivalent of the "highway code" in PDF format.

azulniew Apr 6th 2008 9:18 am

Re: Can I transfer my UK drivers license?
 
Thank You

Patrick Hasler Apr 6th 2008 3:16 pm

Re: Can I transfer my UK drivers license?
 
In Wisconsin the test is among the toughest ! ............ I think you have to drive more that half a mile and use the steering wheel :rofl:

Patrick Hasler Apr 6th 2008 3:17 pm

Re: Can I transfer my UK drivers license?
 
I should point out that your British licence will be valid for the first 3 months :thumbup:

fatbrit Apr 6th 2008 3:34 pm

Re: Can I transfer my UK drivers license?
 

Originally Posted by azulniew (Post 6165844)
We are moving to Wisconsin. Will I be able to get a Wisconsin drivers license without taking tests etc.?

Thank you for any help

The greatest complication at MVD is usually your immigration status -- you dont mention what it is.

The tests are easy: for the written one there will be a booklet and you should give yourself at least 30 mins to read it before taking the test, and for the driving one you'll pass as long as you don't kill more than three children on your 2 mile drive.

mellybrown Apr 6th 2008 8:40 pm

Re: Can I transfer my UK drivers license?
 
Just a note - as we found out yesterday....

You cant buy a car (dont know about leasing...) without a state driving licence....and you cant get your state driving licence without your social security number (well here in GA anyway)

We have to give back our (work paid for) rental at the weekend, and hubbys SSN is nowhere in sight.....and I cant drive!!! i can see an expensive car rental coming on...

BritishGuy36 Apr 6th 2008 8:55 pm

Re: Can I transfer my UK drivers license?
 
Did you mean you can'T buy a car? Cos you said CAN.

mellybrown Apr 6th 2008 10:07 pm

Re: Can I transfer my UK drivers license?
 

Originally Posted by BritishGuy36 (Post 6169460)
Did you mean you can'T buy a car? Cos you said CAN.

indeed - thanks, have changed it :)

chicagojlo Apr 7th 2008 1:59 am

Re: Can I transfer my UK drivers license?
 
I live in IL and my driving test included hill parking, which is kind of hilarious if you have any idea how flat IL is! Be prepared to have this and possible encounters with things like school buses, both of which are not familiar to UK drivers but are really big parts of US driving. It is worth reading the local 'highway code' before attempting the written or even driven test. It's not necessarily the drive down the block people make it out to be.

md95065 Apr 7th 2008 8:15 am

Re: Can I transfer my UK drivers license?
 

Originally Posted by chicagojlo (Post 6170383)
I live in IL and my driving test included hill parking, which is kind of hilarious if you have any idea how flat IL is! Be prepared to have this and possible encounters with things like school buses, both of which are not familiar to UK drivers but are really big parts of US driving. It is worth reading the local 'highway code' before attempting the written or even driven test. It's not necessarily the drive down the block people make it out to be.

One of the very few questions that I got wrong on the written test was "What do the red flashing lights on the back of a school bus mean?" - at the time I don't think that I had ever actually seen a school bus, but the very next day I saw one, along with the sign on the back, in letters about a foot high, that said "Stop when red lights flash" ...

(btw they don't test hill parking in San Francisco - probably because trying to find a parking space in San Francisco would make the test last too long ...)

penguinsix Apr 7th 2008 10:55 am

Re: Can I transfer my UK drivers license?
 
There are few US-centric questions, such as the school bus, right on red (and left on red occasionally), and then some state by state stuff you will need to learn. In some states headlights have to be on whenever wipers are on, and in others you have to slow down 10mph and change lanes if possible when passing a police car doing a traffic stop, etc.

It's not a tough test--but worth reading through the little handout before you take it.

Manc Apr 7th 2008 4:53 pm

Re: Can I transfer my UK drivers license?
 
I think the only way of failing a US driving test is to turn up drunk.

and even then I think you've got a 50 / 50 shot.

SpoogleDrummer Apr 7th 2008 8:04 pm

Re: Can I transfer my UK drivers license?
 

Originally Posted by mellybrown (Post 6169385)
Just a note - as we found out yesterday....

You cant buy a car (dont know about leasing...) without a state driving licence....and you cant get your state driving licence without your social security number (well here in GA anyway)

I wasn't asked anything about my license when I bought mine. I only had a learners permit at the time but at no point was it requested, not even when I registered it at the court house. Maybe it varies from state to state.

meauxna Apr 7th 2008 8:50 pm

Re: Can I transfer my UK drivers license?
 

Originally Posted by SpoogleDrummer (Post 6174572)
Maybe it varies from state to state.

Like absolutely everything auto-law related, YES, it varies from state to state.


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