Foreing DL with Non Immigrant Visa
 

Hi there!
I would like to know if it's mandatory (and if yes which is the latitude) to apply for a US driving license on a Non Immigrant Visa (J, F, H1B etc.)

If I have one of these visas and I just rent a car with my foreing DL, how does it work out?

Thanks folks!

Re: Foreing DL with Non Immigrant Visa
 

Different rules in every state.

Most states require that once you become resident in that state (once again, every state has their own definition of what that means and it has nothing to do with your immigration status) you are required to get a state driver's license with a certain (usually quite short) period of time.

Re: Foreing DL with Non Immigrant Visa
 

Thanks.
For example I just read California gives just 10 days...

I'm just wondering if the law applies even when renting a car and using their insurance....

Re: Foreing DL with Non Immigrant Visa
 

Since the law applies to the license only, yes it does.

Your DL will be valid only for the duration of your status.

Re: Foreing DL with Non Immigrant Visa
 

Thanks!
I just took a mock test on the DMV site and the questions are absurdly easy.
The one thing I don't understand is why this burocratic mess if I already passed an driving exam in my home country (especially Europe).

So in the future, in case I will have a non immigrant visa and I drive with a foreign DL when I should apply for a American DL, will I get in trouble insurance-wise?

Thanks!

Re: Foreing DL with Non Immigrant Visa
 

The answer to your question is yes, and the reason you have to take the test again (if you do) is because the road rules in that State are almost certainly different from where you've come from, but the other reason why is because US States don't have much in the way of reciprocal agreements with foreign countries.

They recognize the Canadian provincial tests under bilateral agreements with Canadian provinces. Usually. Some States don't even recognize the tests given in other States.

(and learn to spell "foreign")

Re: Foreing DL with Non Immigrant Visa
 

I was actually curious about that...

Re: Foreing DL with Non Immigrant Visa
 

And "bureaucratic". :nod:

BTW. Get your local license ASAP, but you might not manage it within the very short time allowed. Until then use your foreign licence but be ready to show that you have taken steps to get a local license, and you're unlikely to have a problem. Certainly a car rental agency shouldn't have a problem with a foreign licence.

Re: Foreing DL with Non Immigrant Visa
 

Well Steve, I just read your post now.
Anyone should understand that if you write in a hurry you can mispell 'foreign' with 'foreing' just as 'write' with 'wirte', for example.
It's not a matter of proficiency or a lack thereof.

But we digress!

Re: Foreing DL with Non Immigrant Visa
 

Until I opened the thread, I assumed the title was a misspelling of 'forging' :rofl:

Re: Foreing DL with Non Immigrant Visa
 

OP is using Chicago Tribune and Simplified Spelling Society spelling of bureaucracy. So he's done his due diligence.

Re: Foreing DL with Non Immigrant Visa
 

As I was told in no uncertain terms when asking why UK vaccination records were not acceptable to the school: "You're in the state of California now!"