Go Back  British Expats > Living & Moving Abroad > USA
Reload this Page >

Foreing DL with Non Immigrant Visa

Foreing DL with Non Immigrant Visa

Old Mar 22nd 2014, 10:28 pm
  #1  
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 173
Ricky_85 is an unknown quantity at this point
Default 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!
Ricky_85 is offline  
Old Mar 22nd 2014, 10:50 pm
  #2  
BE Forum Addict
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
Posts: 4,913
md95065 has a reputation beyond reputemd95065 has a reputation beyond reputemd95065 has a reputation beyond reputemd95065 has a reputation beyond reputemd95065 has a reputation beyond reputemd95065 has a reputation beyond reputemd95065 has a reputation beyond reputemd95065 has a reputation beyond reputemd95065 has a reputation beyond reputemd95065 has a reputation beyond reputemd95065 has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Foreing DL with Non Immigrant Visa

Originally Posted by Ricky_85
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.)
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.
md95065 is offline  
Old Mar 22nd 2014, 10:54 pm
  #3  
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 173
Ricky_85 is an unknown quantity at this point
Default 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....
Ricky_85 is offline  
Old Mar 22nd 2014, 11:46 pm
  #4  
Often not so civil...
 
civilservant's Avatar
 
Joined: Apr 2010
Location: The Boonies, GA
Posts: 9,561
civilservant has a reputation beyond reputecivilservant has a reputation beyond reputecivilservant has a reputation beyond reputecivilservant has a reputation beyond reputecivilservant has a reputation beyond reputecivilservant has a reputation beyond reputecivilservant has a reputation beyond reputecivilservant has a reputation beyond reputecivilservant has a reputation beyond reputecivilservant has a reputation beyond reputecivilservant has a reputation beyond repute
Default 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.
civilservant is offline  
Old Mar 23rd 2014, 8:53 am
  #5  
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 173
Ricky_85 is an unknown quantity at this point
Default 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!
Ricky_85 is offline  
Old Mar 24th 2014, 4:32 pm
  #6  
Grumpy Know-it-all
 
Steve_'s Avatar
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 8,928
Steve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond repute
Default 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")
Steve_ is offline  
Old Mar 24th 2014, 5:15 pm
  #7  
Lost in BE Cyberspace
 
Hotscot's Avatar
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 6,159
Hotscot has a reputation beyond reputeHotscot has a reputation beyond reputeHotscot has a reputation beyond reputeHotscot has a reputation beyond reputeHotscot has a reputation beyond reputeHotscot has a reputation beyond reputeHotscot has a reputation beyond reputeHotscot has a reputation beyond reputeHotscot has a reputation beyond reputeHotscot has a reputation beyond reputeHotscot has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Foreing DL with Non Immigrant Visa

Originally Posted by Steve_
(and learn to spell "foreign")
I was actually curious about that...
Hotscot is offline  
Old Mar 24th 2014, 5:38 pm
  #8  
 
Pulaski's Avatar
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,397
Pulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond reputePulaski has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Foreing DL with Non Immigrant Visa

Originally Posted by Steve_
.... (and learn to spell "foreign")
And "bureaucratic".

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.
Pulaski is offline  
Old May 19th 2014, 6:12 am
  #9  
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 173
Ricky_85 is an unknown quantity at this point
Default 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!

Last edited by Ricky_85; May 19th 2014 at 6:22 am.
Ricky_85 is offline  
Old May 19th 2014, 7:45 am
  #10  
BE Forum Addict
 
rebs's Avatar
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Beautiful Dorset, UK
Posts: 2,195
rebs has a reputation beyond reputerebs has a reputation beyond reputerebs has a reputation beyond reputerebs has a reputation beyond reputerebs has a reputation beyond reputerebs has a reputation beyond reputerebs has a reputation beyond reputerebs has a reputation beyond reputerebs has a reputation beyond reputerebs has a reputation beyond reputerebs has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Foreing DL with Non Immigrant Visa

Until I opened the thread, I assumed the title was a misspelling of 'forging'
rebs is offline  
Old May 19th 2014, 12:39 pm
  #11  
Heading for Poppyland
 
robin1234's Avatar
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,453
robin1234 has a reputation beyond reputerobin1234 has a reputation beyond reputerobin1234 has a reputation beyond reputerobin1234 has a reputation beyond reputerobin1234 has a reputation beyond reputerobin1234 has a reputation beyond reputerobin1234 has a reputation beyond reputerobin1234 has a reputation beyond reputerobin1234 has a reputation beyond reputerobin1234 has a reputation beyond reputerobin1234 has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Foreing DL with Non Immigrant Visa

Originally Posted by Pulaski
And "bureaucratic".
.
OP is using Chicago Tribune and Simplified Spelling Society spelling of bureaucracy. So he's done his due diligence.
robin1234 is offline  
Old May 19th 2014, 3:33 pm
  #12  
Lost in BE Cyberspace
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Sally Redux has a reputation beyond reputeSally Redux has a reputation beyond reputeSally Redux has a reputation beyond reputeSally Redux has a reputation beyond reputeSally Redux has a reputation beyond reputeSally Redux has a reputation beyond reputeSally Redux has a reputation beyond reputeSally Redux has a reputation beyond reputeSally Redux has a reputation beyond reputeSally Redux has a reputation beyond reputeSally Redux has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Foreing DL with Non Immigrant Visa

Originally Posted by Ricky_85
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!
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!"
Sally Redux is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.