mark_in_ATL

Hi.

I have been resident in Atlanta, GA for the last few months, and I still don't have a GA drivers license. It is a law in GA that if you are resident for more than 30 days then you can't drive there with a valid GA license

The only license I have is my UK license. I had spoken the DMV about getting my license, and I understand I have to do a test etc. which is ok. The problem is that I'm getting mixed messages about whether I need to hand in the UK license. Handing it in is a serious problem for me as I work > 60% of the time outside of GA, in other states, where I can drive on my UK license.

There seems to be a very long wait time to get a license here > 6 weeks, and I don't know how I can actually do it, if the office keeps trying to take my UK license.

Can any one provide any ideas? Is there a state I can go to, and swap my UK license same day, and then come back and get GA license by swapping again??? Anything?


Thanks in advance.

Mark

Angry White Pyjamas

Take a driving test?

NO. Your UK drivers license belongs to the UK government and the DMV here have no authority to take it whatsoever. Put it away (once you passs your GA test) and keep it safe for when you go back to blighty (even for a holiday)

mark_in_ATL

Unfortunately I think I am going to have to take the test.

I hadn't thought about the fact that they probably have no authority to take it. Either way I still need something to convince the person who issues the licenses, that they can't take it

thanks for your support...

sabba

I did not have to give them mine, although I got my license in washington dc: I only had to take the theory test and that was it..

elfman

I got a New York state license when I first moved here. I read on the NY DMV website that they would take my UK license and destroy it, so before moving over I applied to the DVLA for a replacement UK license (told them I'd lost the original). In the event the NY DMV never asked for my UK license and treated me basically the same as they would a 16-year old local applying for a first license. It wouldn't surprise me if other states act the same way.

ladylisa

I didnt have my UK licence taken away either. Just keep going in until you get to speak to a sensible person. Once you do then apply for your local licence, if any of them ask for your UK licence you could always say you gave it to the last person you spoke to there, they should check their records.

Angry White Pyjamas

Yes you will have to take the test if you want to continue driving legally and insured. However if someone at the DMV insists on keeping your UK license you insist on speaking to a supervisor.

Bob

tell him to stick it up his arse...he can't touch it, and he'll have to treat you like a phleb that's never had a license anyway....

scrubbedexpat099

I brought an application form for a duplicate as Insurance.

But in most, all?, States you get no benefit from having a UK license so why bother mentioning it at the DMV.

It has occurred to me that I would be better using my UK DL in other States than CO, but I no longer have it with me as a norm.

Rushman

Not sure on other states but in NY you also have to have a minimum of 6 months on a visa to even be able to apply for a learners permit.

If I get pulled outta state I give them the UK pink and say I'm on holiday driving my sisters car (registers in wifes name), usually just get a bollocking because the troopers can't be arsed to do the paperwork for a "foreign" licence.

Show an out of state trooper a US licence and you WILL get a fine.

scrubbedexpat099

I am not sure if you are out of state or out of country it makes any difference, as far as that State is concerned you are a Visitor.

But, yes, you might well be more likely to get a warning.

AdobePinon

Never told them I had a UK licence. Just took the test and got the US one.

Rushman

Well aren't we a nation of deceitful bounders?

Bob

In maine it's good if your under 25 because if you don't have a drivers license you have to have the learners permit for 6 months before being allowed to take the test....

if your under 23 and have a license from another state you still have that 6 month requirement, but it isn't there for international license for some reason...

fatbrit

Tell 'em it belongs to Liz and you've already sent it back.