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drivers license

Old Jul 11th 2006, 7:34 pm
  #1  
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Default drivers license

This group is really good about replying back unlike other sites I
visit.
Anyways, my question is about someone from the UK getting a drivers
license in the US. At the moment he doesn't have a drivers license and
we were wanting to know if it would be easier for him to get one over
there and if he'd be able to drive on it over here or what he'd have to
do to go about getting a drivers license over here in the US. If
anyone has dealt with this, any comments are greatly appreciated!
 
Old Jul 11th 2006, 9:10 pm
  #2  
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Default Re: drivers license

Originally Posted by [email protected]
This group is really good about replying back unlike other sites I
visit.
Anyways, my question is about someone from the UK getting a drivers
license in the US. At the moment he doesn't have a drivers license and
we were wanting to know if it would be easier for him to get one over
there and if he'd be able to drive on it over here or what he'd have to
do to go about getting a drivers license over here in the US. If
anyone has dealt with this, any comments are greatly appreciated!
Over there = where?
over here = where?
ah...over here = USA? Then over there = UK?
Where is he now? Here or there?
Basically the drivers license requirements vary from state to state, so the best thing to do is do a google search for the Department of Motor Vehicle in the state he lives in (or will live in once he's in the USA).

Best Wishes,
Rene
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Old Jul 11th 2006, 10:52 pm
  #3  
Lagomorpheus
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Default Re: drivers license

What type of visa will he be entering the US on? I believe if you are
here as a visitor, all you need is an international driving license
from your home country. My husband entered on a visa that allowed him
to work (J1) which meant he had to get a license from the local DMV in
the US.

This link has more information:
http://www.firstgov.gov/Topics/Forei..._Driving.shtml

Marie
 
Old Jul 11th 2006, 11:44 pm
  #4  
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Default Re: drivers license

It is not the international driver's license that allows you to drive in the US. It is your DL from your country. The IDL is only a translation of your DL. DLs are regulated by the state you are living in. For the most part you cannot obtain a State DL unless you have proof of a valid visa. In some states the DL is only good for as long as the visa is valid. For someone adjusting status an EAD is sufficient proof of your legality.

If you are a UK citizen, in all states you will have to take the written test. In some states you have to take the written and driving test. Only Canadians appear to be able to exchange their Cdn licenses for state DLs.


Originally Posted by Lagomorpheus
What type of visa will he be entering the US on? I believe if you are
here as a visitor, all you need is an international driving license
from your home country. My husband entered on a visa that allowed him
to work (J1) which meant he had to get a license from the local DMV in
the US.

This link has more information:
http://www.firstgov.gov/Topics/Forei..._Driving.shtml

Marie
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Old Jul 12th 2006, 3:18 am
  #5  
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Default Re: drivers license

Originally Posted by Rete
It is not the international driver's license that allows you to drive in the US. It is your DL from your country. The IDL is only a translation of your DL. DLs are regulated by the state you are living in. For the most part you cannot obtain a State DL unless you have proof of a valid visa. In some states the DL is only good for as long as the visa is valid. For someone adjusting status an EAD is sufficient proof of your legality.

If you are a UK citizen, in all states you will have to take the written test. In some states you have to take the written and driving test. Only Canadians appear to be able to exchange their Cdn licenses for state DLs.
There are some other country/state exchanges.

But none as far as I am aware that applies to the UK.

An IDP is irrelevant form a US perspective as Americans sort of understand English.

But to answer your question, much much easier taking a US test, absolutely no comparison. I think the 6 year old could pass the Colorado written test. And yes they do vary, but they are consistently simple. If the 3 year old could reach the pedals, he could have a good stab at the driving test. (They drive up our driveway, on my lap)

In the UK you have to show them a reason why you should be granted the privelege, US seems completely the opposite.
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Old Jul 12th 2006, 12:18 pm
  #6  
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Default Re: drivers license

Question 1. Could he get it over there, sure he could
Question 2. Could he drive on it here: it depends on how long he plans
on driving on it, what the state requires or allows in regard foreign
drivers licenses.
Question 3: To get a drivers license here:
Each state has different rules: Having an existing license either
international or from a home country gets you very little credit. It
may help you avoid taking a mandatory drug and alcohol class or driver
safety training if the state requires those.
You still have to take the test both written and driving in most cases.
You also have to provide some form of identification that they accept,
and for immigrants they want to see a green card, valid Visa or a 797
showing your status in the system. They may also call immigration right
there to confirm this as some states have higher immigrant populace
than others (and incur more issues and laws as a result).
Insurance can also be a problem as some large company's don't insure
international license holders and insist on a state issued license. So
everything becomes very iterative and process specific.



[email protected] wrote:
    > This group is really good about replying back unlike other sites I
    > visit.
    > Anyways, my question is about someone from the UK getting a drivers
    > license in the US. At the moment he doesn't have a drivers license and
    > we were wanting to know if it would be easier for him to get one over
    > there and if he'd be able to drive on it over here or what he'd have to
    > do to go about getting a drivers license over here in the US. If
    > anyone has dealt with this, any comments are greatly appreciated!
 
Old Jul 12th 2006, 6:18 pm
  #7  
Mh
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Default Re: drivers license

In article <[email protected]> ,
Rete <[email protected]> wrote:
    >> What type of visa will he be entering the US on? I believe if you are
    >> here as a visitor, all you need is an international driving license
    >> from your home country. My husband entered on a visa that allowed him
    >> to work (J1) which meant he had to get a license from the local DMV in
    >> the US.
    >> This link has more information:
    >> http://www.firstgov.gov/Topics/Forei..._Driving.shtml
    >> Marie
    >It is not the international driver's license that allows you to drive
    >in the US. It is your DL from your country. The IDL is only a
    >translation of your DL. DLs are regulated by the state you are living
    >in. For the most part you cannot obtain a State DL unless you have
    >proof of a valid visa. In some states the DL is only good for as long
    >as the visa is valid. For someone adjusting status an EAD is
    >sufficient proof of your legality.
    >If you are a UK citizen, in all states you will have to take the written
    >test. In some states you have to take the written and driving test.
    >Only Canadians appear to be able to exchange their Cdn licenses for
    >state DLs.

Really? Where is that?

I had to take the written + driving test in CA.. Or did I not have to do
that? At least I got a DL good for 5 years..

MH
 
Old Jul 12th 2006, 6:50 pm
  #8  
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Default Re: drivers license

He's currently in the UK. He was thinking it would probably just be
easier to get a drivers license in the US anyway, I just thought I'd
ask. Thanks so much!

Noorah101 wrote:
    > > This group is really good about replying back unlike other sites I
    > > visit.
    > > Anyways, my question is about someone from the UK getting a drivers
    > > license in the US. At the moment he doesn't have a drivers license
    > > and
    > > we were wanting to know if it would be easier for him to get one over
    > > there and if he'd be able to drive on it over here or what he'd have
    > > to
    > > do to go about getting a drivers license over here in the US. If
    > > anyone has dealt with this, any comments are greatly appreciated!
    > Over there = where?
    > over here = where?
    > ah...over here = USA? Then over there = UK?
    > Where is he now? Here or there?
    > Basically the drivers license requirements vary from state to state, so
    > the best thing to do is do a google search for the Department of Motor
    > Vehicle in the state he lives in (or will live in once he's in the USA).
    >
    > Best Wishes,
    > Rene
    >
    > --
    > Posted via http://britishexpats.com
 
Old Jul 12th 2006, 7:02 pm
  #9  
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Default Re: drivers license

New York State and New Jersey are two such states where you can exchange a Cdn license for a state license without testing.

Originally Posted by Mh
In article <[email protected]> ,
Rete <[email protected]> wrote:
    >> What type of visa will he be entering the US on? I believe if you are
    >> here as a visitor, all you need is an international driving license
    >> from your home country. My husband entered on a visa that allowed him
    >> to work (J1) which meant he had to get a license from the local DMV in
    >> the US.
    >> This link has more information:
    >> http://www.firstgov.gov/Topics/Forei..._Driving.shtml
    >> Marie
    >It is not the international driver's license that allows you to drive
    >in the US. It is your DL from your country. The IDL is only a
    >translation of your DL. DLs are regulated by the state you are living
    >in. For the most part you cannot obtain a State DL unless you have
    >proof of a valid visa. In some states the DL is only good for as long
    >as the visa is valid. For someone adjusting status an EAD is
    >sufficient proof of your legality.
    >If you are a UK citizen, in all states you will have to take the written
    >test. In some states you have to take the written and driving test.
    >Only Canadians appear to be able to exchange their Cdn licenses for
    >state DLs.

Really? Where is that?

I had to take the written + driving test in CA.. Or did I not have to do
that? At least I got a DL good for 5 years..

MH
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Old Jul 12th 2006, 9:04 pm
  #10  
Capt. Tuttle
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Default Re: drivers license

Rete wrote:
    >>In article <[email protected]> ,
    >>Rete <[email protected]> wrote:
    >>>>What type of visa will he be entering the US on? I believe if you
    >>>>are
    >>>>here as a visitor, all you need is an international driving license
    >>>>from your home country. My husband entered on a visa that allowed
    >>>>him
    >>>>to work (J1) which meant he had to get a license from the local DMV
    >>>>in
    >>>>the US.
    >>>>This link has more information:
    >>>>http://www.firstgov.gov/Topics/Forei..._Driving.shtml
    >>>>Marie
    >>>It is not the international driver's license that allows you
    >>>to drive
    >>>in the US. It is your DL from your country. The IDL is only
    >>>a
    >>>translation of your DL. DLs are regulated by the state you
    >>>are living
    >>>in. For the most part you cannot obtain a State DL unless you have
    >>> proof of a valid visa. In some states the DL is only good for
    >>> as long
    >>> as the visa is valid. For someone adjusting status an EAD is
    >>> sufficient proof of your legality.
    >>> If you are a UK citizen, in all states you will have to take the
    >>> written
    >>> test. In some states you have to take the written and driving
    >>> test.
    >>> Only Canadians appear to be able to exchange their Cdn licenses
    >>> for
    >>> state DLs.
    >>Really? Where is that?
    >>I had to take the written + driving test in CA.. Or did I not have to
    >>do
    >>that? At least I got a DL good for 5 years..
    >>MH
    >
    >
    > New York State and New Jersey are two such states where you can exchange
    > a Cdn license for a state license without testing.
    >

In Florida my wife went in with her Green Card and French license. They
checked her eyes only. No written or driving test. The license arrived
in the mail about a week later. They do not issue the card to Green Card
holders at the driver's license office. It is mailed from Tallahassee.
 
Old Jul 12th 2006, 9:56 pm
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Default Re: drivers license

Originally Posted by Mh
Really? Where is that?
I'm not sure if this is still true but, here in Kentucky, I handed in my NS driver's license and got a Kentucky one... no written exam, no driving test... nothing!

Ian
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Old Jul 13th 2006, 12:24 am
  #12  
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Default Re: drivers license

Originally Posted by ian-mstm
I'm not sure if this is still true but, here in Kentucky, I handed in my NS driver's license and got a Kentucky one... no written exam, no driving test... nothing!

Ian
Four of fifty states confirm my thoughts on the exchange of Cdn DLs.
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Old Jul 13th 2006, 1:40 am
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Default Re: drivers license

Originally Posted by [email protected]
This group is really good about replying back unlike other sites I
visit.
Anyways, my question is about someone from the UK getting a drivers
license in the US. At the moment he doesn't have a drivers license and
we were wanting to know if it would be easier for him to get one over
there and if he'd be able to drive on it over here or what he'd have to
do to go about getting a drivers license over here in the US. If
anyone has dealt with this, any comments are greatly appreciated!

It's a difficult and costly procedure to get a driving license back in the Uk. IMO far less hassle to get one here. I don't see the point in going through all that in the UK then not use it.
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Old Jul 13th 2006, 3:10 am
  #14  
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Default Re: drivers license

To the point, I am doing my NYS driving test tomorrow in Red Hook,
Brooklyn. :)

The fact that I have had a Dutch DL for a good 20 years didn't make any
kind of impression at the DMV. I had to do the written test and do the
mandatory 5 hour pre-licensing course (which are both a joke BTW), and
now need to complete the driving test. I wonder if the guy doing my
'test' will take my Dutch DL and 20 years experience into account or
not. I hope he'll just make me park and turn the car and sent me off in
5 or 10 minutes as I need to take time off from work, and any time
extra spent means making up for that in the evening, LOL.

The only advantage of having a Dutch DL is that I can drive to the test
sit myself without being accompanied by a (US) licensed driver.

I checked with the DMV, and they say that my Dutch DL fully qualifies
me to drive in NYS (or any other state), but that I DO need to get a US
DL as I am a resident. There doesn't seem to be a 'hard' rule for this
for immigrants, but the 'guideline' is to apply for a US DL within 90
days of becoming a resident.
 
Old Jul 13th 2006, 4:31 am
  #15  
 
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Default Re: drivers license

Originally Posted by Rete
Four of fifty states confirm my thoughts on the exchange of Cdn DLs.
Five.

Oregon will trade a Canadian or a German license straight over. Just Germans, no others. (?!) I think you'll always find that UKers

From my UKer's experience and what I've read from others, the testing here is *much* easier than in the UK. He might consider just waiting until he's in the US and learning + testing here. He can start studying the Driver's Manual now; they're usually available online at your State's DMV.
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