Bill_S

I wonder if they are trying to play the "not resident" game to avoid state and local income tax.

Bob

aye, driving without a proper license would be one small hassle, the other would be the kick in the nads from the insurnace company once they void your coverage...

Jerseygirl

yep...of course that also applies to driving in the UK on an UK license with an incorrect address.

scrubbedexpat099

Actually it does not.

Would not be 'material'.

But from a US perspective you do not have a vaild license and UK and US Insurance laws are different.

From memory you have 6 months in the UK, all te Yanks I knew never took too much notice, not as if they would have passed anyway.

Bob

Depends on the country I think, but the US get 12 months before they need a UK license. They used to just be able to get a swap, but they can't now. Some countries can still swap a license, but it's a reciprocal thing.

lapin_windstar

True indeed. It's the insurance dudes that I would really worry about, not the fuzz.

robin1234

Yes, my wife drove in England for twelve years on the strength of her New York Licence. She took the road test once & failed, she swore she'd never take it again. Being younger & less prudent in those far-off days, we never worried about the insurance repercussions if she ever had an accident.

scrubbedexpat099

The big issue here is more the cost, a US DL for the private individual = a big premium loading.

All the Yanks I knew were driving Company cars so not an issue.

Tricialc

Hi
That stuff from the DMV website is very helpful - hopefully it applies in all states, as I have been told you have to give up your UK licence in MD also.

I am takiing my test tomorrow so we will see what happens!

Ray

Take a photocopy with you instead of the real thing ..say you left it
in the UK

Jerseygirl

Each state has different rules and regs...best to check your state's DMV website.

britinamerica

Long time lurker, first time poster!

I read as well that I had to surrender my license, so I applied for a State ID card instead, and then took the test. Because I had the card which had the same number as my new license, they never asked me for my UK license at all.

I was panicking a little bit, as I also read that in Wisconsin, you can only drive on your UK license for a year, and it was 16 months before I took my test. I was afraid I'd fail.

I shouldn't have been worried, the test was quite possibly the easiest thing I have ever done.

For the benefit of the discussion however, I have not changed my address on my UK license, and when I go home, I'll use my US license instead.

Sally Redux

Welcome Lurker

Jerseygirl

Hello britinamerica...welcome to BE.

scrubbedexpat099

Drivers new to Wisconsin are required to apply for a Wisconsin driver license within 60 days of establishing residency.