US Driver's License - Catch 22?
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 4
US Driver's License - Catch 22?
Hey Everyone, hoping someone here can help me with this frustrating situation
I moved to Austin TX two years ago as a grad student, having a car was never an issue, but now that I've graduated and am back to the working world, I'll need to get one.
However, there seems catch 22:
I need to get my license, in order to get my license I need access to a car for the driving test, I do not have access to a car because I do not have a license and therefore cannot get insurance, so cannot buy a car, so cannot take my test in order to get a license.
I looked at renting a car, but apparently DMV/DPS do not allow you to take a test using a rental car, you must be able to show the cars papers.
Surely other people must have got a driver's license without access to a car, but information online is pretty useless
Thanks for your help
I moved to Austin TX two years ago as a grad student, having a car was never an issue, but now that I've graduated and am back to the working world, I'll need to get one.
However, there seems catch 22:
I need to get my license, in order to get my license I need access to a car for the driving test, I do not have access to a car because I do not have a license and therefore cannot get insurance, so cannot buy a car, so cannot take my test in order to get a license.
I looked at renting a car, but apparently DMV/DPS do not allow you to take a test using a rental car, you must be able to show the cars papers.
Surely other people must have got a driver's license without access to a car, but information online is pretty useless
Thanks for your help
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2010
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 9,660
Re: US Driver's License - Catch 22?
Hey Everyone, hoping someone here can help me with this frustrating situation
I moved to Austin TX two years ago as a grad student, having a car was never an issue, but now that I've graduated and am back to the working world, I'll need to get one.
However, there seems catch 22:
I need to get my license, in order to get my license I need access to a car for the driving test, I do not have access to a car because I do not have a license and therefore cannot get insurance, so cannot buy a car, so cannot take my test in order to get a license.
I looked at renting a car, but apparently DMV/DPS do not allow you to take a test using a rental car, you must be able to show the cars papers.
Surely other people must have got a driver's license without access to a car, but information online is pretty useless
Thanks for your help
I moved to Austin TX two years ago as a grad student, having a car was never an issue, but now that I've graduated and am back to the working world, I'll need to get one.
However, there seems catch 22:
I need to get my license, in order to get my license I need access to a car for the driving test, I do not have access to a car because I do not have a license and therefore cannot get insurance, so cannot buy a car, so cannot take my test in order to get a license.
I looked at renting a car, but apparently DMV/DPS do not allow you to take a test using a rental car, you must be able to show the cars papers.
Surely other people must have got a driver's license without access to a car, but information online is pretty useless
Thanks for your help
Must be a Texas rule regarding taking test in rental car, as I took mine in California in a rented car (this was some years ago I admit)
How does any new, young, first time driver get to undertake their driving test - most of them don't own their own cars at that stage?
Last edited by SanDiegogirl; Jul 30th 2021 at 4:37 pm.
#3
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2020
Location: Georgia
Posts: 29
Re: US Driver's License - Catch 22?
I'm not sure how helpful this is as we're in Georgia, but my wife was in the same position when we first moved here. We didn't have a car and, although not impossible, it's a pain to buy one without a US licence. She did hers in a rental car...the issue was she had to prove she was insured to do so. She had to prove the insurance met the state minimum legal requirement. So, we got additional insurance through a third party insurance company to cover her and this worked. We hired ours through budget and they state:
"What About Drivers Licensed in Other Countries?
International drivers can rent a car from Budget. Just present a driver’s license, passport, and an International Driving Permit issued in your name from your home country."
I would also caveat this with the fact this is allowed because she already had a full UK driving licence. If you don't already have a licence they won't allow you to rent the car in the first place.
At the DDS (DMV) they asked her if she was approved to do the driving test in the rental vehicle, she just confidently said yes and they didn't ask anything other than proof of insurance.
"What About Drivers Licensed in Other Countries?
International drivers can rent a car from Budget. Just present a driver’s license, passport, and an International Driving Permit issued in your name from your home country."
I would also caveat this with the fact this is allowed because she already had a full UK driving licence. If you don't already have a licence they won't allow you to rent the car in the first place.
At the DDS (DMV) they asked her if she was approved to do the driving test in the rental vehicle, she just confidently said yes and they didn't ask anything other than proof of insurance.
#4
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2017
Location: Elizabethtown, PA
Posts: 73
Re: US Driver's License - Catch 22?
Is there a driving school you can use to take the test in their vehicle, similar to how you can in the UK?
#6
DE-UK-NZ-IE-US... the TYP
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,855
Re: US Driver's License - Catch 22?
Hey Everyone, hoping someone here can help me with this frustrating situation
I moved to Austin TX two years ago as a grad student, having a car was never an issue, but now that I've graduated and am back to the working world, I'll need to get one.
However, there seems catch 22:
I need to get my license, in order to get my license I need access to a car for the driving test, I do not have access to a car because I do not have a license and therefore cannot get insurance, so cannot buy a car, so cannot take my test in order to get a license.
I looked at renting a car, but apparently DMV/DPS do not allow you to take a test using a rental car, you must be able to show the cars papers.
Surely other people must have got a driver's license without access to a car, but information online is pretty useless
Thanks for your help
I moved to Austin TX two years ago as a grad student, having a car was never an issue, but now that I've graduated and am back to the working world, I'll need to get one.
However, there seems catch 22:
I need to get my license, in order to get my license I need access to a car for the driving test, I do not have access to a car because I do not have a license and therefore cannot get insurance, so cannot buy a car, so cannot take my test in order to get a license.
I looked at renting a car, but apparently DMV/DPS do not allow you to take a test using a rental car, you must be able to show the cars papers.
Surely other people must have got a driver's license without access to a car, but information online is pretty useless
Thanks for your help
#7
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2017
Location: Elizabethtown, PA
Posts: 73
Re: US Driver's License - Catch 22?
#8
Re: US Driver's License - Catch 22?
So yes we hit the Catch 22 too, but found a work around. Another option is borrowing a car from a helpful friend or colleague so long as the insurance covers you.
#9
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2021
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
Posts: 6
Re: US Driver's License - Catch 22?
Like a few people have mentioned, taking a test with a driving schools car could be a good option. I would take a look at those options as I know you can do that in California.
#10
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 4
Re: US Driver's License - Catch 22?
Thanks everyone, I will attempt to go the driving school route, they said I will need a learners permit if I have any refresher or lesson, but going to try to confirm that isn't the case for purely the test
#11
Re: US Driver's License - Catch 22?
You need to show the insurance papers for the rental car , not just the rental agreement- tell the rental company you will need it.
I'd recommend going to the pflugerville megacenter.
I'd recommend going to the pflugerville megacenter.
#12
DE-UK-NZ-IE-US... the TYP
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,855
Re: US Driver's License - Catch 22?
You will need a learners permit to take the test. Not sure what you mean. I had to do it from scratch in NY, written test, learners permit, watch the videos, and then practical “test”.
#13
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Athens GA
Posts: 2,134
Re: US Driver's License - Catch 22?
That's what we all did, with minor variations in different states.
I took mine in GA in a rental car with no issues.
#14
Just Joined
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Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 4
Re: US Driver's License - Catch 22?
The convoluted part is why do I need a learner's permit simply to take the test and not have any lessons. Why do I need to go spend hours at the DMV, wait weeks for a learner's permit, simply so I can go back to the DMV, wait hours again, and then take the test. And finally, why is there no simple guide for foreign drivers looking to get a driving license on what steps they should take. Also Texas says you can't take it with a rental car, so they must be different to GA
#15
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
Re: US Driver's License - Catch 22?
The convoluted part is why do I need a learner's permit simply to take the test and not have any lessons. Why do I need to go spend hours at the DMV, wait weeks for a learner's permit, simply so I can go back to the DMV, wait hours again, and then take the test. And finally, why is there no simple guide for foreign drivers looking to get a driving license on what steps they should take. Also Texas says you can't take it with a rental car, so they must be different to GA
It's a pain in the arse, for sure, but a minor one and the test is so painfully easy in the US you'll pass it with no issues anyway.
With regards to the car, do you have a friend who has full coverage insurance (that includes new driver coverage) who could lend you a car since you can't rent one?