WS2000

Hello, I am a UK citizen / US permanent resident living in New Jersey. I have a UK driver’s license but have never driven in the US. I am planning to get a car soon. Presumably I have to take the NJ driving test, or is there a shortcut for those who have foreign licences? Thanks in advance.

Noorah101

No shortcut.

Rene

Olly_

NJ will waive the road test if you present a foreign license. You will still need to do the theory test though.

rpjs

Is that still the case? We've had people reporting recently that NJ no longer does this.

WS2000

Thank you for these replies. That's good. Well, I would feel more confident studying the theory etc., and I was thinking about having a couple of lessons just to get used to driving on the "wrong" side of the road, especially as I haven't driven in a long time on any side of the road.
A related question – is there road tax here? Does it have another name? I'm trying to budget... including car, road tax and insurance. I hardly know where to begin. These things are on the horizon, but meanwhile I need to budget and plan ahead.
Thanks.

WS2000

I missed this when I sent my last reply... Please does anyone know any more?

CA-NY

New Jersey Driver's License

rpjs

These things vary by state, but I don’t think any have a road tax as such. Most, if not all, do require you to renew the car’s registration every year or two. This is shown by stickers on the licence plate or in the windscreen like the old British tax discs. In NYS we also have to get the car inspected once a year for roadworthiness and emissions compliance like an MOT and again display a sticker showing compliance.

Nutmegger

You will pay a fee to register the car with the state, then in most jurisdictions you will pay annual personal property tax on the vehicle to your town. Check with the website for the town where you are going to live. Be ready for your insurance to be expensive as you will be seen as a new driver.

WS2000

Hello, thanks for all these comments and information. Have a good weekend! :-)

Ecto17

Ecto17

Olly_

Same here - NJM were cheapest for the first year but at renewal they were ridiculously expensive. I switched to Geico and now only pay about $450 per 6 months for $500/500k liability/comp/collision coverage because the surcharge they add for holding a US license for under 3 years has just dropped off.

Jerseygirl

I’ve been recommending NJM for years to new NJ Expats. We used them for auto/household insurance for almost 20 years. They are 2nd to non. If your company is a member...you would be foolish not to use them.
We had damage due to Hurricane Sandy...no questions asked...’get the damage repaired and send us the bill.’

WS2000

Hi all, I've just seen these additional comments and recommendations. Sorry for the late acknowledgement. Thank you.