snodog

I've done the "search" thing and not seen a similar situation, so I'm going to ask.......

We're on our way to being LPRs this year, and have a home in NH.

I understand that we will need to get a NH driving licence. However as we are retaining our home here in the UK (and leaving a car which we'll need to insure etc), we don't want to give up our UK licences. Most of the DMVs seem to insist you surrender an out of country licence.

How many of you have both a UK and US licence?

Jerseygirl

I have both licenses. Insurance could be a problem if you're not a UK resident. I found it very difficult to get car insurance and home insurance. OK you can get around this by not telling the insurance company...but it could be a problem if you make a claim.

Bluegrass Lass

My Brit husband still has his UK license. Depending on what paperwork NH requires for licensing, you may not even need to show your UK license. For example, here in KY, my husband had to take the written exam and the road test, even though he had been driving for about 10 years before coming here. So we didn't even bother showing his UK license because it wouldn't have mattered. You may find the same thing in NH, in which case you don't even tell them, or show them, your UK license.

pejpm1

Just tell them that you dont have a UK license.

elfman

I got my first US driving license in New York and despite what all the State DMV info said, they never asked for my UK license. Having read in advance that they would ask for it and destroy it I applied to the DVLA for a replacement license, telling them I lost the old one. So now I have two UK licenses. When I moved to NJ, however, the DMV here did ask for my NY license.

MrEmjoy

As far as I'm aware you do not need to surrender it.

They may insist but they don't need it, they only need it if the licence is an out of state licence.

Jerseygirl

Why? We only had to take a written test because we had UK licenses. If they want to take your UK license tell them it's the property of the Crown and they have no right. I usually say 'crown' instead of 'government' because it tends to confuse folk.

Bob

You won't have to surrender it, it's for out of state licenses. It's also not your license to hand over.

There is one state that will switch a UK license, but they'll send your UK license to the DVLA...can't remember the state, ain't NH though.

Way those folks drive...well I'd be scared

Plus side, car insurance isn't a requirement in NH...though I'd recommend getting good cover because of that for the uninsured drivers out there.

Bob

In that case, you'd have to have someone else take you to the test centre to take the test rather than drive yourself.

It is daft though....because drive there on your UK license, if you fail, apart from being rediculed by everybody, you'll just drive back home on your UK license again

Bluegrass Lass

Yep. Ya know, now that I think about it,t my OH drove himself to take both tests. They never said anything about it.

Bob

same here up in Maine lol

Jerseygirl

In NJ a car with a hand brake at the side of the driver's seat must be used. So my daughter had to use the driving instructor's car for the test.

What an odd requirement...we've never owned a car like this in the US...and she wasn't asked to use the flippin' handbrake during her test.

Bluegrass Lass

Only time I had to use the hand/emergency brake was to show I knew to use it on a hill. Is that what you mean?

Jerseygirl

Yes but I've found most 'hand brakes' here are activated by your left foot. This requirement is to have the handbrake at the side of the driver's seat...like on most British cars.

neil

Presumably so the examiner can use it if absolutely necessary in an emergency.