Big D

clerk wont know but they system will - when you give a US address that wont tally with the UK license - you may get away with it but i would have a plan b!

RichardWindsor

Thanks for all your suggestions guys!! Unfortunately I can't renew the NY licence because it is past 2 years expired. Trust me I'm kicking myself on that one!!

As for the credit card, the 'Bank Of America' logo on the front might give it away

Plan B is to get a cab to the hotel for like 50 bucks, but I know I can get a rental for 4 days for $100 so with a round trip I'm better off getting the car.

I will report back what happens when I get there. My first stop tomorrow is going to be NY DMV and see if I can't renew the licence anyway. I'm going to try the dumb foreigner routine, or, if I'm lucky I might just get someone who isn't paying much attention.

Englishmum

Don't let them keep your UK licence at the DMV! Tell them that you still have the property at the address on your GB licence and need it when you go on trips to the UK. It would be a pain to replace if they retain it as you will probably never see it again!

TruBrit

big lesson you've learnt from this but as i've travelled a lot i know it's always best to keep 'your stuff' up to date whatever country you live in coz you never know when you might need them, makes life easier

good luck and watch these roads in Tx

NC Penguin

If I were you, I'd renew your NY driver's license. It would be odd to pull out a US Green Card as ID and then attempt to rent a vehicle on a foreign license seeing as a GC suggests residency in the US.

Edit: just read a post from you. If you can't renew, just do all the tests again and get a valid NY license. When my spouse returned from the UK to the US, he had to do all parts of the driving test to get an NC driver's license and he hadn't driven in four years (and didn't even refer to the NC Driver's Handbook either before he took the tests).
Just out of interest, when you need to show picture ID in NY, what do you show?

frrussre

Re take the test, its not difficult.

RichardWindsor

Trust me, if it was that simple I would retake it in a heartbeat!! Unfortunately here in NY, with no exceptions, if your licence expires you have to apply for a learners permit and then attend a DMV approved school for accreditation. Pretty assanine really when considering when I first got my licence in Maryland I drove to the DMV myself, drove around a parking lot, and got the licence straight away.

Thanks again to everyone for your comments.

frrussre

As I said, its not difficult. USA, revolves around driving licences. Or State ID card. Passport is a must, at least incase of emergency. Or in your case a trip to Texas.
Reg. Frank R.

Big D

Dont even tell them you have a UK licence - it makes NO difference to you getting a US one and they will take it regardless of what you say!

Jerseygirl

It does in NJ...if you have an UK license you only take the written test.

Birt Tiddler

Don't know if this is too late but I heard that renting cars at airports can be dearer as they add a premium. Best to find a regular office location in a town.

Big D

sorry - i meant in NY (where OP is) NJ must be the easiest state then!

Jerseygirl

You're not kidding there. When my daughter took her driving test it consisted of driving about 400 yds in an empty car park. Then parking between 2 cones about 100 yds apart. It took all of 5 minutes.

Englishmum

Was that at the Wayne DMV? My son's experience was exactly the same.

It's appalling - no wonder driving standards are so poor here.

Jerseygirl

Randolph.

Don't you just love it the way people (including truck drivers) reverse down the motorway when they've missed the exit?