Driving in Georgia
 

I am moving to Atlanta, GA in September - and I was just wondering if anyone knows what the grace period is until I need to get a US driving License?

Georgia's DMV website dosent seem to cover this, but I know I cant get one until I get my SSN.

I am sure that i read somewhere that I get a year to get s GA license, but I cant remember where I read this. It may have even been a dream!!

Cheers guys!

Re: Driving in Georgia
 

Re: Driving in Georgia
 

maybe contacting this dept will answer your ?

Re: Driving in Georgia
 

You will need a Driver's License to do a lot more than drive - cashing a check, buying liquor in a bar or restaurant in some parts of Atlanta ( Alpharetta, regardless of your age), flying domestically unless you want to carry your passport everywhere). You can drive on a British license but if you get pulled over they will try and confiscate it - don't let them. Check the DMV website well. Maybe there is a way to email them with a Q. BTW, if you transfer in from another State, you have 6 months but you surrender the old license.

Re: Driving in Georgia
 

Yeah - the whole ID part of a driving License will also be a benefit I know when a USC comes to the UK, they have a year to get a UK license, and I am sure that there is a federal rule that states foreign license can be used for 12 months. Will see if Georgia DMV have an email address...

Re: Driving in Georgia
 

Google is your friend...

http://www.dds.ga.gov/business/LE_Update_Winter2007.pdf

Page 2. One year as a Georgia non-resident, 30 days should you gain Georgia residency.

Re: Driving in Georgia
 

So, if I am reading this right - once I have been in Georgia 10 days I become a resident. Then I have 30 days to get a license.

Hmm... Thats going to be interesting. Cant get my license until I get a SSN which I am guessing is going to take about 2 weeks. So, that gives me 4 weeks to have a couple of lessons, read up for the theory test, schedule and pass a theory test then schedule and pass a practical test.

I guess its do-able.... at a push... Dosent give you much time though...

Re: Driving in Georgia
 

You become a resident when you have a permanent address, if you spend 2 months living in a hotel like we did waiting on our household goods you are not officially permanent residents.
The residency clock starts when you move into an apartment or house which you have signed a lease for.
The driving test in Georgia is similar to many other US states, you will need to take your passport together with your I-94, your UK licence, your social security card, they will test you on a set a set of computorised multiple choice questions followed by a 2 min wiz round a set of bollards in the parking lot followed by 5 mins out in the traffic, a hand shake from the examiner and Bobs your uncle.
They will take away your UK licence in exchange for your Georgia Licence, and it will only be valid for as long as your visa is valid, apart from that you can be out within 2 hours including all the hanging around, I found it quite painless.

Re: Driving in Georgia
 

I went to SS before ,y 30 days were up and they gave me a letter to take to DMV to say I didn't need an SS# ........ DMV then issued a licence.

Re: Driving in Georgia
 

I'm guessing if you don't need a SSN, you don't have a work visa.

Anyway, it turns out I might be able to apply for my SSN while I am over for a short trip. Will use my work address as contact address :)

Re: Driving in Georgia
 

You can apply for your SSN if you are coming on your L1 visa. Give yourself at least an hour at the SS office, don't go first thing in the morning, better to wait till just afternoon when the spongers have done their stuff. You will need to complete this form http://www.socialsecurity.gov/online/ss-5.pdf.

Re: Driving in Georgia
 

Can I use my work address in the US as Mailing Address? If so - great :) Will give me much longer to get my driving license sorted...

Re: Driving in Georgia
 

I would think you could use any address, I applied for my SS card while I was still living in a hotel waiting on the slow boat from Dubai with my furniture, it didnt seem to make a difference to the SS.