CorinnaCrackles

All very helpful! and scary and worrying and stressful :P

Thanks

CorinnaCrackles

Just read here

https://www.quora.com/Can-I-drive-in-the-US-with-a-full-UK-license

That you can drive on your UK licence for a year....

Also here http://www.bbcamerica.com/shows//blog/2012/09/10-things-to-know-before-taking-the-wheel
Problem solved?

Pulaski

No, definitely not! .... Even the page you have linked says "up to one year", and that provision is for visitors only. The BBC blog you linked also says slightly vaguely the end of point 1, "As a resident, you’re probably going to have to make getting a state-issued license a priority." Once you establish residence in a state the 12 month period no longer applies, and you must comply with the licensing requirements for residents.

The rules vary slightly from state to state, but usually specify "flags" for being a resident such as renting or buying a home, taking a job, enrolling children in school, etc.

Overall this is another facet of the heavily decentralized government structure of the US. Just because the federal government signs a treaty with another country, state governments are under absolutely no obligation to apply the treaty, so states have rules for driving licenses that are arguably inconsistent with the treaty, but good luck arguing that in state traffic court! Other examples include the fact that some states, notably California, don't apply the double taxation treaty, and some states don't apply the treaty on informing a foreign government when one of their citizens has been arrested - to wit: a Mexican was executed in Texas a few years ago without having had any consular assistance from the Mexican government because the Mexican government hadn't been told. On appeal the Texas supreme court said "too bad!" and he was executed shortly afterwards.

CorinnaCrackles

Ah fair dos.
Just wish this receipt would hurry and arrive. The adjustment of status package arrived there on 6th Feb

CorinnaCrackles

Once I get that receipt it'll be simple.