F-1 visa & driving
 

I’m an F-1 visa holder until 2020, I’m twenty, in Portland OR, and hoping to stay with a new visa after I graduate. I have a UK license (no violations but two accidents - one to blame, the other not) and have held it for three years. I need to get a car for my internship, but insurance is expensive and I was advised that if I get my state license, it’s cheaper. However, I know I need to take a test in my own car with insurance, but I don’t want to purchase expensive insurance on my foreign license to have to pay it.

Firstly, do UK license holders have to take the driving test here or is it waived? Secondly, insurance!!!! Who’s a good insurer?

Re: F-1 visa & driving
 

Yes you need a US license. The UK does not have reciprocity with the US (I believe Germany do though?).

Insurance wise, anyone's guess. I'm with Geico and they're pretty good but there is a lot to choose from so much like the UK, shop around and find the best deal.

Are you not able to rent a car and use that for your driving test? I believe others have done it but I don't know whether that's an option in OR.

Re: F-1 visa & driving
 

Okay! I’m curious as well that if I get a license here, so I need to tell insurers about my accidents since they’re not on that license nor in this country?

Re: F-1 visa & driving
 

Your UK driving history is completely irrelevant unless you plan on trying to get your driving history in the UK acknowledged by a US insurer to try and get some sort of discount.

Your US driving history is essentially clean as you don't have any, and that's all they're insuring you on.

Re: F-1 visa & driving
 

Do I, when filling out insurance quotes, have to say (hypothetically) that I only have 1 years driving experience?

Re: F-1 visa & driving
 

Are you referring to US license length or UK driving license length as I thought your original post stated that you'd had it for three years?

Re: F-1 visa & driving
 

Welcome to BE.

First of all go the your state’s DMV website for information. Every state has different rules and regs. Are you sure you have to take the test in your car? We lived in NJ...my daughter took her test in a driving school’s car because it had to be a vehicle with a handbrake at the side of the driver and none of our vehicles had this. We only had to take a written test as we had UK DLs.

Many people on here have said Geiko are good for auto insurance.

Re: F-1 visa & driving
 

If you are not seeking to use your UK driving to get no claims, which only some will do anyway, then you put down the date you pass the test over here.