postbox134

Maybe because they know they'll have to constantly replace the clutches!

steph0scope

That part is crucial. HOME country. Where you live. Your residence. Not where you were born. Not where you grew up. Not the passport you hold. You live in the US so the US is your home country, not the UK.

Jerseygirl

I disagree. I moved to the US in 1996, then to Canada 7 years ago. The UK is my home country and always will be.

Georginas

Hey Tino,

I also have a full U.K. drivers license with IDP and went for my Knowledge Test at NJ MVC today, after passing the knowledge test the MVC checked my U.K. license and advised I do not need to take a road test. They advised the next step is to go online and book an appointment for the license however the website is not very clear on which appointment category covers this. Did you also go through these steps? If yes, which appointment category did you choose?

Thanks!

Tino

I haven't managed to get that far yet. I had my appointment for initial permit and at the end of this month I have the knowledge test.

TexanScot

That's not legal - your UK license is only valid for driving if you actually live in the UK.

Nobody is normally going to check, but if you were to be stopped by the Police or if you got into an accident then there's a risk that you'd be deemed to be driving without a valid license, which would almost certainly invalidate any insurance coverage that you'd be relying on.

You should be renting or otherwise diving on your US license, and securing any necessary insurance coverage on that basis.

Tino

Wow, I wasn't aware of that. So if you are a UK citizen and move abroad without getting a different license, you cannot drive back in the UK?

civilservant

Correct. If you are not a UK resident, your UK DL is not valid.

Are you likely to be caught? Maybe not. However if you are, you can end up in a world of hurt.

Tino

Did you get this sorted in the end?

Tino

I have been looking further into this one year thing and noticed that in the NJ Drivers Manual 2021 it states under section 'Laws Governing Driver Licenses':

However when you look at 39:3-10 it does not appear to cover this scenario at all: https://lis.njleg.state.nj.us/nxt/ga...sh:10.1048/Enu

scrubbedexpat099

All States allow visitors to drive for up to 12 months, new residents have a much more limited time to get a License.

Tino

Except I cannot find any reference to this limitation of 'visitor' in NJ rules and regulations.

Additionally, the manual calls out the fact the motorist who is permitted to drive with a foreign license for a year, can also be eligible to apply for a NJ license. However in order to apply for a NJ license as a non-US citizen you require temporary visa status (per https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/driverto...oncitizens.htm). You also need the 6 point ID which includes proof of NJ residency.

Therefore I can't see how the definition of visitor can only mean tourist. Everything I can find written about this is ambiguous at best.

scrubbedexpat099

I thought you were living in NJ

Tino

I am, for less than a year so far. My point was that as it's written, it does not say that it applies only to visitors. On the contrary it seems to suggest it also applies to those who are eligible for an NJ license, therefore must be NJ resident.

scrubbedexpat099

Not sure I would want to rely on that unless you are desperate.

I seriously doubt that is what is intended, would be illogical but would not be the first time regulations have been badly written.