nikadett

US law says that you can drive 12 months from your entry into the country on your foreign license. Massachusetts RMV says though that I have to get my MA license upon residency, but I can't see any time frame? Is this another stupid US law were it is at the discretion of an officer who pulls you over? I'm only going to be here for 12 months and don't want to have to get my MA license.

Hotscot

Sounds like it...should be easy anyway.

Are you here work related? What visa? Just curious...

Noorah101

E-3, according to past posts.

Rene

rpjs

Really? I thought driver licencing was purely a state function.

Pulaski

If you're a visitor, yes 12 months, but once you "establish residence" in MA per MA law on drivers licenses, then you need to obtain a license, and you don't have long. I don't recall the limit for MA, but i'm sure someone from that neck of the woods will be along shortly.

The rules for "establishing residence" for the purpose of requiring a local license are typically very broad and include: buying or renting a home, taking up employment or starting a business, and enrolling your children in school, among many other criteria.

In short, you need a license, however luckily for you getting one is embarrassingly easy. There is probably some compulsory "drivers ed", plus a road test that requires you to drive around the block, stopping at any STOP signs and red lights, without speeding, or getting involved in a wreck.

Amie06

Is it REALLY that easy? i have just got learners licence in 'bama and soon to take road test, so ...........

Pulaski

You've seen how the locals drive. How difficult do you think the test is?

fozzyb

The one that got me (in CA) is you were allowed to make up to 15 minor errors and still pass.

The test took about 10 mins.

So that's one error every 40 seconds.

Amie06

Yes, i sometimes see how they drive, other times my eyes are firmly shut

Alan17

That's a lower rate of errors than I see on a typical day here.....drivers must regress here. Must be the sun.

Bob

Get your license, I think it's 30 days in MA.

Do it asap.

Sure, some people get away with it for years...but in MA, everything is tied together at the RMV, you get in a small fender bender and your insurance might void your policy for not having a local license. The police will do you for driving without valid insurance, not having valid insurance voids your car registration, so you get done for that too.

You end up with a massive fine, loads of points and losing your license before you even get it.

It does happen, I know a couple of people who have run into this issue.

As for the test, it's simple, but the problem is, there aren't many RMV offices that are open these days, so you can have a wait of a couple months before getting a test date, but you can put your name on the wait list for cancellations. If you're flexible and don't mind going to a random location. A friend got one in a week because he was able to head well out for one on short notice.

Uncle_Bob

A drive around the block when i did mine in MA. Four right turns in my tiny honda civic with an armed police office in the passenger seat talking about princess Diana and Guinness.

The written test was a joke to. Just an excuse to charge you $80. I did mine pretty soon just so that i could get a drivers license needed to buy beer

steveq

My examiner was joking the whole trip about what a waste of time it was, when he knew I'd driven myself to the test in my own rental car. "OK, reverse into that bay", I think I'd just about got the tail in, when he said, "OK pull forward and get to the road", up to the stop sign, turned right, turned around at some traffic lights, and I've passed.

md95065

Seaside DMV driving test ends with crash | Salinas News - KSBW Home

tbooth

In response to the original question, when I came last year,a detailed reading of the MA Drivers Manual told me that you had 90 days from establishing residence to obtain a license (I took the test on the 89th day, as that was the first one I could get!)

However, subsequently, I've been informed (I think on this forum) that the actual period is 60 days, but I can't find a reference to that anywhere, nor do I imagine that any cop knows that!