ok to drive with uk license?
#1
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 8
ok to drive with uk license?
ok..im a legal permanent resident here in the us. I have my british license, is it ok to drive with this, or do i need to get a ny state license, if i do, can i have both licenses, or do i need to give up my uk license (dont really want to do that!) anybody help?
#2
Re: ok to drive with uk license?
Originally Posted by dagntate
ok..im a legal permanent resident here in the us. I have my british license, is it ok to drive with this, or do i need to get a ny state license, if i do, can i have both licenses, or do i need to give up my uk license (dont really want to do that!) anybody help?
I still have both licenses.
#3
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Joined: Oct 2002
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 920
Re: ok to drive with uk license?
NY state like to take your old UK license off you! Just forget to take it with you when you go and get your license It isn't hard to get a NY license. Just take your passport with you which should contain your visa status and you will have to do both a computerized test and a quick driving test. Just make sure you study the drinking limits and stopping limits, then you will have no problem passing the computerized on. The physically driving one is rediculously easy.
As far as driving on your UK driving license, I understand the law is if you are here visiting your UK license is valid for one year. If you are living here as your home for a while (as you are) you are supposed to get your US license within a month, or at least try to anyway. Never heard of anyone yet that has had a problem driving on their UK driving license for longer than they were supposed to and I have no idea what a cop would do if you got stopped either.
As far as driving on your UK driving license, I understand the law is if you are here visiting your UK license is valid for one year. If you are living here as your home for a while (as you are) you are supposed to get your US license within a month, or at least try to anyway. Never heard of anyone yet that has had a problem driving on their UK driving license for longer than they were supposed to and I have no idea what a cop would do if you got stopped either.
#4
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Joined: Aug 2004
Location: Norfolk, England
Posts: 74
Re: ok to drive with uk license?
Originally Posted by Ben
As far as driving on your UK driving license, I understand the law is if you are here visiting your UK license is valid for one year. If you are living here as your home for a while (as you are) you are supposed to get your US license within a month, or at least try to anyway.
#5
Re: ok to drive with uk license?
Better to get a local licence anyway, your insurance will most likely be cheaper and easier to find
#6
Re: ok to drive with uk license?
We actually got stopped just over a month after we arrived in DFW. The nasty little power hungry cop that got us gave my husband a ticket for not having a Texas licence despite us telling him that the law said we could drive for a year.
My husband opted to go to the courthouse rather than pay the fine and took with him a copy of the law regarding his right to drive for one year on his UK licence. The judge said something along the lines of "the state trooper shouldn't be allowed on the road if he doesn't know the law" and that was the end of that.
It is really easy to get a licence here though, it only took me a few minutes and they like to see your licence for ID for all kinds of things here in Texas so it's handy to have one.
My husband opted to go to the courthouse rather than pay the fine and took with him a copy of the law regarding his right to drive for one year on his UK licence. The judge said something along the lines of "the state trooper shouldn't be allowed on the road if he doesn't know the law" and that was the end of that.
It is really easy to get a licence here though, it only took me a few minutes and they like to see your licence for ID for all kinds of things here in Texas so it's handy to have one.
#7
Re: ok to drive with uk license?
Originally Posted by Ben
NY state like to take your old UK license off you!
#8
Re: ok to drive with uk license?
They didn't even ask to see mine here in DFW so I still have it.
#9
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Joined: Jun 2004
Location: New York
Posts: 475
Re: ok to drive with uk license?
Just don't take your UK one with you. They never ask if you have a foreign license, although I think my examiner was a little surprised that I wasn't nervous, but competant. After he said I did "very well" and I said well have been driving for 5 years now!!!
#10
Re: ok to drive with uk license?
You are also supposed to return your UK licence to DVLA if you are no longer a UK resident, but I don't know anyone that has...
#11
Re: ok to drive with uk license?
Originally Posted by James Box
You are also supposed to return your UK licence to DVLA if you are no longer a UK resident, but I don't know anyone that has...
#12
Account Closed
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 636
Re: ok to drive with uk license?
Originally Posted by Manc
When my UK photo license runs out in 2009, I intend on applying for a new one, granted I'll have to go back to the UK for a week or so. but c'est la vie.
#13
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,848
Re: ok to drive with uk license?
Originally Posted by James Box
You are also supposed to return your UK licence to DVLA if you are no longer a UK resident, but I don't know anyone that has...
#14
Re: ok to drive with uk license?
Originally Posted by PBC_1966
I think you'll find all states have a requirement to obtain a local license once you take up residence in their state. The period allowed for changing varies though, typically 30 days but some will allow you to drive on an out-of-state license for 60, or even 90 days (ditto license plates).
#15
Re: ok to drive with uk license?
Originally Posted by mattbutt
Is that when you will be 75?