uk driver's licence - how to keep ?
Mar 17th 2008 | 10:33 am
#16
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 95
From: New York
Re: uk driver's licence - how to keep ?
From the NYS DMV website....read the last paragraph then.
Drivers From Other Nations
Drivers from Canada.
A valid driver license from another country is also valid in NYS. You do not need to apply for a NYS driver license unless you become a resident of NYS.
According to NYS law, a resident of another country can get a NYS driver license. The DMV does not recommend this because:
NYS recognizes your foreign driver license if you remain a resident of the nation that issued the license. You do not need to have a NYS driver license to drive in NYS unless you become a resident of NYS.
If you have a driver license from any nation except Canada, you must pass a written test, complete a 5-hour pre-licensing course and pass a road test to qualify for a NYS driver license. See "New Drivers - How to Apply".
You must show a Social Security Card. If you are not eligible for a Social Security Card, you must provide a letter or form SSA-L676 from the US Social Security Administration (SSA) that states that you are not eligible. The SSA Letter or form must have been issued no more than 30 days before the date of your application. You must also show the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) documents that the SSA used to determine that you are not eligible for a Social Security Card. The USCIS was formerly known as the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). Read the specific requirements on the identification requirements page.
When you receive your NYS driver license, you must surrender your foreign driver license to the DMV road test examiner. The local DMV office keeps your foreign driver license, and then destroys the license after 60 days. If you plan to return to your home country and use your foreign driver license, ask the road test examiner how to make sure that your foreign driver license is not destroyed. If you need to get your foreign driver license, go to the local DMV office where you applied for your NYS driver license.
ETA- I was only helping, you didn't need to reply so harshly telling me what I have heard is rubbish, I can work things out for myself, thanks. I try and post what I know to be best to my knowledge.
Drivers From Other Nations
Drivers from Canada.
A valid driver license from another country is also valid in NYS. You do not need to apply for a NYS driver license unless you become a resident of NYS.
According to NYS law, a resident of another country can get a NYS driver license. The DMV does not recommend this because:
NYS recognizes your foreign driver license if you remain a resident of the nation that issued the license. You do not need to have a NYS driver license to drive in NYS unless you become a resident of NYS.
If you have a driver license from any nation except Canada, you must pass a written test, complete a 5-hour pre-licensing course and pass a road test to qualify for a NYS driver license. See "New Drivers - How to Apply".
You must show a Social Security Card. If you are not eligible for a Social Security Card, you must provide a letter or form SSA-L676 from the US Social Security Administration (SSA) that states that you are not eligible. The SSA Letter or form must have been issued no more than 30 days before the date of your application. You must also show the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) documents that the SSA used to determine that you are not eligible for a Social Security Card. The USCIS was formerly known as the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). Read the specific requirements on the identification requirements page.
When you receive your NYS driver license, you must surrender your foreign driver license to the DMV road test examiner. The local DMV office keeps your foreign driver license, and then destroys the license after 60 days. If you plan to return to your home country and use your foreign driver license, ask the road test examiner how to make sure that your foreign driver license is not destroyed. If you need to get your foreign driver license, go to the local DMV office where you applied for your NYS driver license.
ETA- I was only helping, you didn't need to reply so harshly telling me what I have heard is rubbish, I can work things out for myself, thanks. I try and post what I know to be best to my knowledge.
and that is exactly what happened to me I took the 5 hour course and then the 7 min driving test, and was prepared to surrender my UK licence as required by NYS law.
Mar 17th 2008 | 10:50 am
#17
And YOU'RE paying for it!
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,328
From: kipper tie?
Re: uk driver's licence - how to keep ?
I would be surprised if anyone actually successfully got their license back from the NYS DMV upon leaving the US, even if they had told the DMV not to destroy it.
You're absolutely wrong, I am afraid (and your hoity-toity tone didn't help! 
). NYS law does require foreign license holders to hand in their license upon getting a NYS license *even though* you don't get to skip the test or any other sort of benefit (apart from being able to drive in your first 30 days or whatever it is).
). NYS law does require foreign license holders to hand in their license upon getting a NYS license *even though* you don't get to skip the test or any other sort of benefit (apart from being able to drive in your first 30 days or whatever it is).
Mar 17th 2008 | 10:51 am
#18
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 89,088
Re: uk driver's licence - how to keep ?
I would be surprised if anyone actually successfully got their license back from the NYS DMV upon leaving the US, even if they had told the DMV not to destroy it.
You're absolutely wrong, I am afraid (and your hoity-toity tone didn't help! ). NYS law does require foreign license holders to hand in their license upon getting a NYS license *even though* you don't get to skip the test or any other sort of benefit (apart from being able to drive in your first 30 days or whatever it is).
You're absolutely wrong, I am afraid (and your hoity-toity tone didn't help!
). NYS law does require foreign license holders to hand in their license upon getting a NYS license *even though* you don't get to skip the test or any other sort of benefit (apart from being able to drive in your first 30 days or whatever it is).BTW don't be too hard on BritishGuy36 he's not even living in the US yet...he's a lot to learn.
Last edited by Jerseygirl; Mar 17th 2008 at 10:54 am.
Mar 17th 2008 | 11:15 am
#19
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: uk driver's licence - how to keep ?
You do not surrender your license by them taking physical possesion. But the simplest solution is just not to take it with you.
I had heard these stories as well and brought an aplicaton form for a duplicate just in case.
I had heard these stories as well and brought an aplicaton form for a duplicate just in case.
Mar 18th 2008 | 12:18 am
#20
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From: Maryland
Re: uk driver's licence - how to keep ?
They DO take your license once you obtain a state license in Maryaland.
Mar 18th 2008 | 12:24 am
#22
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Re: uk driver's licence - how to keep ?
I dont really get this.....when I move to NYC in 2 weeks time on my L1B..would I be able to drive a car using my UK license? If so, can I do this indefinitely?
Mar 18th 2008 | 12:30 am
#23
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Re: uk driver's licence - how to keep ?
Mar 18th 2008 | 6:15 am
#24
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 17,529
From: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Re: uk driver's licence - how to keep ?
I'm surprised by that NY rule about surrendering your foreign licence... I also am surprised that they would care. Thanks for the information!
I was lucky, I got a Massachusetts license in 1976, and at that time you just had to do a very simple written test to get a license (i.e. no road test) if you could show a UK license. Then, when I came to live in New York, they gave me a NY license on the strength of my Massachusetts license.
I still have my old UK license, that's valid till the age of 70. I'm assuming that if I return to the UK to live in retirement before that, all I'll have to do is send the DVLA a change of address when I have a place to live in the UK. Or, will I have to take another UK road test?
I was lucky, I got a Massachusetts license in 1976, and at that time you just had to do a very simple written test to get a license (i.e. no road test) if you could show a UK license. Then, when I came to live in New York, they gave me a NY license on the strength of my Massachusetts license.
I still have my old UK license, that's valid till the age of 70. I'm assuming that if I return to the UK to live in retirement before that, all I'll have to do is send the DVLA a change of address when I have a place to live in the UK. Or, will I have to take another UK road test?
Mar 18th 2008 | 6:31 am
#25
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 409
From: Baltimore, MD
Re: uk driver's licence - how to keep ?
I believe I'm hearing you talk rubbish.
They DO take your license once you obtain a state license in Maryaland.
They DO take your license once you obtain a state license in Maryaland.
I have one of those old style licenses paper with no photo, so maybe that confused the guy at the MVA
OK just to throw this out there -What if you get a International Drivers Licence (About £5 from the AA) and use that to take an NYS test? Let them destroy that....
Mar 18th 2008 | 6:41 am
#26
Not dead yet
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 15,042
From: In a world of my own where I know everyone
Re: uk driver's licence - how to keep ?
Except they didn't with mine.....
I have one of those old style licenses paper with no photo, so maybe that confused the guy at the MVA
OK just to throw this out there -What if you get a International Drivers Licence (About £5 from the AA) and use that to take an NYS test? Let them destroy that....
I have one of those old style licenses paper with no photo, so maybe that confused the guy at the MVA
OK just to throw this out there -What if you get a International Drivers Licence (About £5 from the AA) and use that to take an NYS test? Let them destroy that....
Mar 18th 2008 | 7:26 am
#27
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 486
From: Maryland
Re: uk driver's licence - how to keep ?
Except they didn't with mine.....
I have one of those old style licenses paper with no photo, so maybe that confused the guy at the MVA
OK just to throw this out there -What if you get a International Drivers Licence (About £5 from the AA) and use that to take an NYS test? Let them destroy that....
I have one of those old style licenses paper with no photo, so maybe that confused the guy at the MVA
OK just to throw this out there -What if you get a International Drivers Licence (About £5 from the AA) and use that to take an NYS test? Let them destroy that....
And if you don't tell them you have a licence here in Maryland, you have to take the full 30 hour driver's education course as opposed to a 3 hour D&A course....
Mar 18th 2008 | 8:52 am
#28
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 95
From: New York
Re: uk driver's licence - how to keep ?
When you move to New York state as I did, you can drive I believe for a year on your UK licence, I know Brits here that are not resident and have been here a number of years through work and they dont have a NY licence.
however once you become a resident of NYS you must have a NYS licence, see post above re the rules on this.
Like I said before they never took my UK licence off me when I took my test.
ILM
Mar 18th 2008 | 8:54 am
#29
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From: Johns Creek, GA
Re: uk driver's licence - how to keep ?
I got a duplicate before I moved though and gave them the old one
Mar 18th 2008 | 8:57 am
#30
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 630
From: Johns Creek, GA
Re: uk driver's licence - how to keep ?
Except they didn't with mine.....
I have one of those old style licenses paper with no photo, so maybe that confused the guy at the MVA
OK just to throw this out there -What if you get a International Drivers Licence (About £5 from the AA) and use that to take an NYS test? Let them destroy that....
I have one of those old style licenses paper with no photo, so maybe that confused the guy at the MVA
OK just to throw this out there -What if you get a International Drivers Licence (About £5 from the AA) and use that to take an NYS test? Let them destroy that....
