USA Driving licence
#18
Re: USA Driving licence
No, NJ and I think one other midwest state. MA certainly doesn't. Just like most other states, you apply for a theory, pass that, apply for a practical test and do that. Some states might have you get a temporary license based on your full UK license to allow you to drive while waiting for a test date such as CA, or some other states make you apply for a learners permit to allow you to take the test, but you are still allowed to drive on your UK license and do not have to go through all the new drivers ed stuff that a spotty oink would have to go through. Though I think NY makes people sit the drivers ed class, but that's more of an exception than the rule.
#19
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 147
Re: USA Driving licence
As mentioned on another thread, I was required to take an instructional permit / learner license in Georgia, despite having a UK license. As mentioned above by Pulaski, the chances of getting the "Test" completed before the 30 days is up (when you can drive on your UK license) are non-existent here... A couple of months is the waiting time for the test here. Makes sense to note down what you did to "Try" and get within the 30 days though, in case you need to refer to it if you do get stopped by the police for any reason.
#20
Re: USA Driving licence
The best way to obtain a USA license (American spelling!) is to spend a little money with a driving school and drive for at least 5 - 6 weeks with them in order to learn the peculiarities of the area where you live. They will often take you on the known test route, just like in UK.
With an international license you can rent a vehicle anyway, but I had to work in USA for a while and found this experience invaluable. After that it was a matter of taking the theory, sitting in the car with a rather large guy wearing his "smokey bear" hat and him shaking my hand. $9 later I had my state license.
The stuff I learned with the driving school I would have never learned myself or just by doing the theory test.
Apart from being the only non 18-year old who showed up for lessons, it was a great experience. Many of those tips have saved my skin, even in Europe!..
With an international license you can rent a vehicle anyway, but I had to work in USA for a while and found this experience invaluable. After that it was a matter of taking the theory, sitting in the car with a rather large guy wearing his "smokey bear" hat and him shaking my hand. $9 later I had my state license.
The stuff I learned with the driving school I would have never learned myself or just by doing the theory test.
Apart from being the only non 18-year old who showed up for lessons, it was a great experience. Many of those tips have saved my skin, even in Europe!..
#21
Re: USA Driving licence
The best way to obtain a USA license (American spelling!) is to spend a little money with a driving school and drive for at least 5 - 6 weeks with them in order to learn the peculiarities of the area where you live. They will often take you on the known test route, just like in UK.
With an international license you can rent a vehicle anyway, but I had to work in USA for a while and found this experience invaluable. After that it was a matter of taking the theory, sitting in the car with a rather large guy wearing his "smokey bear" hat and him shaking my hand. $9 later I had my state license.
The stuff I learned with the driving school I would have never learned myself or just by doing the theory test.
Apart from being the only non 18-year old who showed up for lessons, it was a great experience. Many of those tips have saved my skin, even in Europe!..
With an international license you can rent a vehicle anyway, but I had to work in USA for a while and found this experience invaluable. After that it was a matter of taking the theory, sitting in the car with a rather large guy wearing his "smokey bear" hat and him shaking my hand. $9 later I had my state license.
The stuff I learned with the driving school I would have never learned myself or just by doing the theory test.
Apart from being the only non 18-year old who showed up for lessons, it was a great experience. Many of those tips have saved my skin, even in Europe!..
Short of losing the keys on the way to the car, I'm not sure how I could have failed really.
Oh, this was with a UK License (no International Permit). Do those even do anything if you are in an English speaking country?
#22
Re: USA Driving licence
The best way to obtain a USA license (American spelling!) is to spend a little money with a driving school and drive for at least 5 - 6 weeks with them in order to learn the peculiarities of the area where you live. They will often take you on the known test route, just like in UK.
With an international license you can rent a vehicle anyway, but I had to work in USA for a while and found this experience invaluable. After that it was a matter of taking the theory, sitting in the car with a rather large guy wearing his "smokey bear" hat and him shaking my hand. $9 later I had my state license.
The stuff I learned with the driving school I would have never learned myself or just by doing the theory test.
Apart from being the only non 18-year old who showed up for lessons, it was a great experience. Many of those tips have saved my skin, even in Europe!..
With an international license you can rent a vehicle anyway, but I had to work in USA for a while and found this experience invaluable. After that it was a matter of taking the theory, sitting in the car with a rather large guy wearing his "smokey bear" hat and him shaking my hand. $9 later I had my state license.
The stuff I learned with the driving school I would have never learned myself or just by doing the theory test.
Apart from being the only non 18-year old who showed up for lessons, it was a great experience. Many of those tips have saved my skin, even in Europe!..
And an "international driving license" is entirely unnecessary in the US if your foreign driving licence is in English.
So all round great advice. Thx!
#23
Re: USA Driving licence
You must have been an utterly inept driver before you came to the US. The (compulsory) driver's ed was a complete waste of my time, as was, quite frankly, the road test, but luckily the test only wasted about ten minutes of my time.
And an "international driving license" is entirely unnecessary in the US if your foreign driving licence is in English.
So all round great advice. Thx!
And an "international driving license" is entirely unnecessary in the US if your foreign driving licence is in English.
So all round great advice. Thx!
#25
Re: USA Driving licence
Last edited by Pulaski; Oct 2nd 2014 at 12:26 pm.
#29
Re: USA Driving licence
No, NJ and I think one other midwest state. MA certainly doesn't. Just like most other states, you apply for a theory, pass that, apply for a practical test and do that. Some states might have you get a temporary license based on your full UK license to allow you to drive while waiting for a test date such as CA, or some other states make you apply for a learners permit to allow you to take the test, but you are still allowed to drive on your UK license and do not have to go through all the new drivers ed stuff that a spotty oink would have to go through. Though I think NY makes people sit the drivers ed class, but that's more of an exception than the rule.
#30
Re: USA Driving licence
The best way to obtain a USA license (American spelling!) is to spend a little money with a driving school and drive for at least 5 - 6 weeks with them in order to learn the peculiarities of the area where you live. They will often take you on the known test route, just like in UK.
Just download the states driving handbook, learn about penalty points for drinking offences and things for people under 21. Take the test, it's hardly ever more than a spin around the block with maybe a maneuver or two at the most, but done in such a way that you have to be comatose to fail. Just don't speed, stop at stop sign/line/junctions and look over shoulder to over emphasise the looking in mirror/window bit.