jasonuk2us

Here's the situation... I am married to a USC and have a GC.

I have been resident in Ohio for the past 4 years and have a state ID but not a state driving license. I do still have a UK driving license.

My USC wife has taken off with her ex and the family car. We live quite a way out and the only way I can get into town is call a taxi which will cost a small fortune.

My question is can I drive a hire car on my UK license after being resident for so long? Also, do I need a state driving license to buy a car?

I really need to get myself sorted out and it's really hard not having a car and not knowing if I can drive legally on my UK license.

Obviously, I should get my state license as soon as possible but not having a car to take the test in is a big problem.

Jerseygirl

Welcome to BE.

I'm not sure about hiring a car but I would say if you have been driving using your UK licence for the last 4 years you will have been driving illegally. I can't see why driving a hire car would make any difference you are still a resident of that state and should have had an Ohio licence.

Take a look at your state's DMV website that should tell you how long you have to get a licence from the date you first become a resident. For many states it's only a month or two.

Do you even have to take a road test for a licence? I had a UK licence therefore I only had to take a written test...some states only require this if you already have a full licence. You can use a rental car for the test but you will have to get the rental company's permission in writing. You could also use a driving instructor's car.

jasonuk2us

I haven't driven in the past 4 years and don't want to drive illegally. I am just trying to figure out how to get my state licence when I don't have a car and live a long ways out of town.

I can't exchange my UK licence for a state licence without taking a road test.

It looks like i'm stuck until I can find an instructor and take my test.

Duncan Roberts

You need to get an OH license within 30 days of becoming a resident of Ohio (nothing to do with immigration residency) if you want to drive. That means you can't drive on your UK license. You don't need one to buy a car but in order to get the required insurance you will need one to get the lowest rates, which won't be that low if you haven't driven in at least 4 years.

Getting a license is easy but you need a car. You need to do a written and practical test. The written test is a touch screen TV job and if you read the drivers handbook a couple of times you won't have any problems passing that. the practical is a jaunt round the block and a lame attempt at simulating a reverse park. Drive into some cones and either right or left of an end one then reverse back through. I did mine on the same day but you don't have to but you do need to pass the written before doing the practical.

Sally Redux

Look up the DMV in your state and it should link you to the equivalent of the Highway Code. There are usually some online practice questions for the written test. Once you have that, maybe get a couple of refresher lessons with a driving school, and they should be able to offer a service where you can take the test in their car.

Jerseygirl

Don't worry too much about the road test...it's unbelievably easy. Of course it varies from state to state...when my daughter took hers it took about 5 mins. It was in an empty parking lot....she drove about 50 yards then had to reverse between 2 cones about 50 ft apart.

Try to read up on the highway code...you could contact an instructor and have a 1 hour lesson if you feel a little rusty after not driving for so long.

Good luck.

dbj1000

You live way out of town, and you haven't driven in 4 years? How on earth have you been getting around?!

jasonuk2us

This is going to sound pathetic... but my wife did all the driving.

I used to drive all the time in the UK but ever since i've been over here i've pretty much relied on her to get me where I needed to be which of course was a mistake given the situation i'm now in.

I'm still feeling a little dazed at the wife leaving like this but I realise I have to get busy and get my state license.

Is it possible to buy and register a car in my name without a state license?

I'm just wondering if I get a learners permit if I could buy a car and get a friend who has a license (but no car) to ride with me so i'm legal until I pass the test.

Patrick Hasler

Instructor what sort of instructor do you need to tell you how to drive forward for half a mile, turn around, drive back and reverse into an imaginary space ?
Your test will last about 4 minutes.
If you hold a UK licence you have taken a driving test a thousand times more difficult than over here

Duncan Roberts

Yes, it's possible to buy and register a car without an OH license but you will pay a lot more for insurance. Forget the learners permit, borrow a car from anyone and take the test, it will take you about half an hour.

Patrick Hasler

yep ! 12 minutes to drive to and from and 6 for the test

JAJ

He may need a learner license to do the test.

Sally Redux

He has a UK licence.

Jerseygirl

That's what I was thinking...although I'm betting they won't cotton onto that one.

He's been a resident in Ohio for 4 yrs so he can't use his UK licence.

Jason...if it was me I would bite the bullet and take the test using a rental car or driving instructor's car. Make sure you have read the driver's handbook/highway code first. I would produce your UK licence and not volunteer any info about how long you've been here...of course if you're asked you must tell the truth.

Sally Redux

Yes, but I don't think he'll need a learner's permit if he has that.

PS. Oh I see what you mean that he's not legal to drive because of the time he's been here. That could be a good point.