viitav

Hey Guys,

Just done some research on getting a driving license within NYC - I have 30 days to get one if I am a resident? Seems like such a short amount of time.

What happens if I don't do it within 30 days? I can't get one again?

Sorry to sound naive just a little confused LOL..

I have a full UK license here so want to get my US.

Nutmegger

Lucky you're not in CA -- they only give ten days to get the license after becoming resident! It's a good idea to get the license asap, because if you are involved in an accident it could void the insurance, but the thirty days isn't a window that closes if you don't get it done in time.

Pulaski

Get it done ASAP, and carry documentation that shows you are doing everything you can to get it ASAP. Remember that the police have no easy way to prove when you "established residence", so in the event you are stopped and questioned, which if you drive conservatively is rather unlikely, you are likely only to be warned to get your license ASAP. Even the police recognize that living in the US without access to a car is impractical for most people in the US.

Tip: I got my first US license in NY, taking the "compulsory training" in White Plains. They told me that the earliest available test was almost three months later. However, the further north and west you go from NYC you go, the shorter the wait time, and I ended up taking my test the following week in Herkimer, NY.

Jerseygirl

If you haven't got a licence within the timeframe...I wonder if you are covered by insurance?

In NJ we couldn't get insurance without a NJ driving licence.

Updatedusername

Are you a resident or temporary visitor? It makes a big difference.
Andy

viitav

I'm a permanent resident - I have no plans to drive anytime soon but I want a license incase I need to.

MidAtlantic

Then you are just fine. Get it done whenever you can.

MorsePacific

Piggy-backing on this thread:

Full UK license holder here, coming to the US on a nonimmigrant visa. My girlfriend has a car which it would be useful for me to be able to drive, so makes sense that I should get a proper license.

Do test centres provide a car in which to take the test, or do you have to use your own? (or procure one xD)

Jerseygirl

No they do not provide a car.

Nutmegger

Do UK test centers provide a car to take the test in? I'd never heard of that! And no, you provide your own in the US.

malch

They do not. And the examiner will also require satisfactory proof of insurance.

If you don't already have easy access to same, I suggest you contact a driving school. You can use their car and insurance, for a fee of course.

rpjs

And if this is still referring to NYS, then the applicant MUST NOT drive to the road test themself, as they are prohibited from driving in a designated test area. Other states may have a similar rule I guess.

+1 . Some instructors will offer a package of a one hour lesson immediately before the road test to go over what the examiner is looking for before driving the applicant to the test area and letting them use the school's car for the road test.

Jerseygirl

This is what my daughter did because in NJ the vehicle was required to have a handbrake at the side of the driving seat. None of our cars did..so she used a driving school's car and had a 1 our lesson prior to the test.

Sean81

Hi all, just found this thread. I'm in NY (Long Island). I hold a full UK license (driving for 20 years) and I'm covered by my wife's insurance to drive her car.

Does anyone know if I would have to get a learner's permit and do the online exam first? Or can I just do the driving test?

I'd contemplated going to the local DMV to ask, but that doesn't sound very appealing!

Thanks.

MorsePacific

According to the information pack I got from the relo company that my employer put me in touch with:

- Should have driver's license within 30 days of arriving in the US (I haven't adhered to this, having been here 4 months. The rule is that if you move from one state to another, you should change your license to that State within 30 days of moving. I don't think they really care for international though)

You have to take a written exam and a vision test. Once passed you pay a fee and are given a temp permit.
You then have to complete a 5 hour pre-licensing course available at most driving schools and can then book and take your driving test.

You must take your UK license with you.

After passing your test, the instructor will ask you to turn in your UK license and it will be destroyed. You can ask for it back in writing, but the smart money is to request a new license from back home, then just hang onto it for when you travel back to the UK and let them destroy the now-void license that you just replaced