Driving in the US
 

Hello!

I’m hopefully moving to Nebraska in April and was wondering what the steps would be to obtain a driving permit? I have a license and have had it for 5 years (UK).

Do I have to apply for one at the DMV? And what are the best insurance companies to start with when I move?

Thanks!

Joshua

Re: Driving in the US
 

Unfortunately your GB driving licence is no good to you as a US resident as there is no reciprocal exchange process in place in any of the 50 states for GB licence holders. You'll need to obtain a Nebraska Learner's Permit from the DMV and start the testing process from scratch to obtain your Operator's License. These links should help get you started:

https://dmv.nebraska.gov/dl/new-nebr...vers-licensing

https://dmv.nebraska.gov/dl/learners-permit

Re: Driving in the US
 

You are starting from scratch. It isn't actually hard at all. You need to study briefly for a computer based test, pass that (took me three minutes) book the "test", wait a week or two for a slot, drive round the block, stop at a stop sign and you get a licence.

I drove to my test in my rental car.

Steve

Re: Driving in the US
 

Yeah when I sat my Kentucky test I would have had to try and fail it. The written portion was answer a few questions on a screen (What do you at a red light type stuff).

UK license doesn't count for anything, some insurers may consider it. There is a company called Sunrise group that does good rates for expats.

Re: Driving in the US
 

Driving test is straight forward. My suggestion is go for a rural DMV... Shouldn't be too hard in NE.

Re: Driving in the US
 

Also make sure to take your I-94 and any other immigration documentation. Be prepared to ask for a supervisor or take any information showing your visa makes you eligible to obtain a driving license as many DMV staff are unaware.

Re: Driving in the US
 

The non-driving ("written"/ computer) part of the test varies from state to state, so you should check what Nebraska requires - New York, for example, mandates five hours of classroom education! Then download a copy of the Nebraska Drivers manual from the Nebraska DMV website, and read it carefully, paying attention to things like drink driving limits and penalties, speeds and stopping distances, warning signs (railroad, school, etc), and when to stop for a school bus* as these are areas that commonly over-represnted on the computer test.

* Passing a school bus, in either direction, that has stopped to allow children to board or alight us taken very seriously in the US - moreso than drink-driving, it would seem.

The actual road test is universally a joke in the US. Anyone with a British license should find the US state road tests extremely easy - just remember to stop at STOP signs and red lights, and try not to run over more than one pedestrian and you'll be fine. :nod: (I may have been joking about the last bit re the test, but then again looking at the standard of driving I see every day, perhaps I wasn't joking. :unsure: )

I also used a rental car for my test, .... well actually it was an SUV! :lol:

Per Tom's advice, I agree, getting a test in a rural area will likely be easier than in a city. .... Some states/ locations don't take appointments for tests, you just show up and wait in line for a test.

Re: Driving in the US
 

Thanks for the advice! I’ll be living in Omaha so I will have to look for a rural DMV, shouldn’t be too hard I’m sure lol.

Re: Driving in the US
 

Been to Omaha more times than I can remember. It's a decent small city. But you're right, it doesn't take long to be in the country again. :)

Re: Driving in the US
 

When I took mine in Fl the clown in front of me rather than doing a 3 point turn outside the office decided to mount the pavement /curb to turn around his huge F350 truck.
He was so pissed that he failed the test.

Re: Driving in the US
 

I didn't do one at all. Or anything else actually. I did four right-turns (six if you count exiting/entering the parking lot).

Re: Driving in the US
 

My test official was so enamored of my English accent we literally just drove around and chatted for a bit and then she said I'd passed. I don't remember her even giving me any instructions! This was in Phoenix. Not hard to pass in Arizona...all the roads are in a grid.

Re: Driving in the US
 

My test was conducted by someone that looked, and smelt like Jim Morrison. I did about 6/8 right turns and stopped back in the parking lot and that was it..

You'll soon realize why the quality of driving in the US is significantly lower than back home!

Re: Driving in the US
 

You'd think the smell would have gone by now.

Re: Driving in the US
 

Two right turns, two left turns and a reverse into a coned off space.