suzimc

Ah yes, but floating around somewhere off the coast over there somewhere are these other places - Scotland, London and Paris, England. Oh yes and Iraq.

Jerseygirl

Makes no difference....like you said the rest is just floating.

dan_alford

And sometimes, e.g. with the Green Card, even if it was issued here, it doesn't count. The drivers license is the de facto id card for all americans and life without it is tough.

Bah you edited your post

Jerseygirl

Sorry but I did it 2 mins before you.

Ray

International permit are for when your licence is in a foreign language ...

suzimc

Yeah, but if you phone the AA to ask about it they're very vague about that bit!

Ray

cos they are stupid ....its bleedin obviously really ...

When traveling overseas, carry an International Driving Permit ... even if you're not planning to drive. Should you need to communicate with foreign authorities, this recognizable form of identification can help you get on your way more quickly.

Valid in over 150 countries, the permit contains your name, photo and driver information translated into ten languages.

Jerseygirl

suzimc

That or it's a good way to get people to buy them!

fatbrit

Get the International license/permit/whatsit -- the cheaper rental companies seem to like them for reasons known only to them and they're hardly expensive so it won't be a great loss if you never use it. Check up on whether your UK credit card includes CDW. If it doesn't you'll have to factor this in

Would follow Rockgurl's excellent advice and hire a car for a month while you're getting yourself sorted out. You don't want to be going anywhere near a car dealer in your first couple of weeks.

You need to get the AZ driving license ASAP after you arrive -- start reading up on the procedure now @ http://www.azdot.gov/mvd/azwelcome.asp. You may find you have to hold for documentation, although when I did it yonks ago the passport stamp was enough. Do NOT give them your UK licenses -- tell 'em Liz owns 'em and they simply can't have them.

Jerseygirl

My husbands driven in many countries outside Europe and has never had anything but a UK and US licence. When we first came here to live and on vacation we just used our UK licence.

Tbag

I drove on my UK license for 7 years in Georgia, got pulled over three times during that period. The cops never knew what the hell they were looking at when I presented them my UK one and sent me on my way all three times, no ticket.
I would not bother with international one, just get the US one as soon as you can, like Jerseygirl said it is your lifeline here to do anything, banking etc.....
it is what everyone recognizes here. You can also just get a state ID as soon as you get here which will serve as a Pic ID which can be helpful as a temporary thing.( you get that at the DMV) and you can do online practice test for the written part, (I think all multiple choice in most states) if you are concerned.

Ray

I got stopped one in FLA ..on a UK licence ..$250 fine ...

englishnurse

at £5.50 for the permit i will get it, better off having it and not needing it than needing it and not having it methinks
thanks everyone

Jerseygirl

LOL. Everyone told my daughter that as a teenager you get let off with a warning for your first speeding offence...she wouldn't listen to us...until she got pulled over and had to pay almost $200...and we didn't cough up for her.