USA Driving Licence
 

I'm a 72 year old UK citizen spending around 8 months a year in Florida in a condo that we own and so not a US citizen or resident. A green card is not possible because I have not got a US employer nor the odd $1.8M to invest in a development area.
At present, we have global entry and an esta allowing us to visit up to 90 days per time. When we are in Fl, I hire a car for up to 2 months which is expensive and so we were looking at buying and insuring an old run around car. However, it seems insurance is a hurdle with a premium loading for UK licence holders. Quotes raging from $2000 to $4500 for an annual policy for a 5 year old 1800 cc sedan.
So I was thinking about getting a USA licence by passing the uSA driving test but the advice online is confusing. Can a non USA resident get a US driving licence? How to go about it?
Thanks

Re: USA Driving Licence
 

Those quotes probably aren't dissimilar to what you'd pay even if you had a US licence, with no formal US driving history. They're actually less than we paid as green card holders in our first year! It doesn't look as though you would be eligible for a FL driving licence, but you could always go to the local DMV office and ask next time you're there.

I'm amazed you've not been bounced back with that travel history, the general advice is to spend twice as much time out of the US as inside to minimise the risk of being refused entry. Just checking, but you're aware that if you're spending 8 months a year in FL you're likely considered tax resident in the US under the substantial presence test?

Re: USA Driving Licence
 

There is no US driver’s license; the requirements are state specific. On the Florida DMV site it indicates that a social security number and US passport or birth certificate are prerequisites to be eligible for a license.

Re: USA Driving Licence
 

As a non US citizen or permanent resident you are only allowed to spend 6 mths per year in the US. Which means you may be refused entry when trying to enter the US and liable for US Income Tax. You should be prepared for this and what it would mean going forward.

Re: USA Driving Licence
 

I don't think there's any specific rule about 6 months max, but certainly spending 8 months a year isn't going to be feasible longer term, at some point an immigration officer will think the OP is trying to live in the US without the correct visa and he'll be taken in to secondary/potentially refused entry. And as you say, liable for income tax and having to file annual US tax returns - sounds like he already is subject to that (and hopefully realises it!).

Re: USA Driving Licence
 

You are correct there is no specific rule. 90 days max for one stay in the US, then the rule of thumb is at least 90 days out before re-entering. IMO The OP is pushing his luck. It is only a question of time. Being refused entry, not being able to use ESTA and having to apply for a visa, is the least of the problems, if the IRS get involved. 😱

Re: USA Driving Licence
 

Absolutely. I’d definitely not want to be on the wrong side of the IRS!

Re: USA Driving Licence
 

Also curious what OP is doing for Health Insurance

Re: USA Driving Licence
 

Exactly. There is no such animal as a US driver's license. Licenses to drive are State provided and each State has a different set of criteria/requirements.

Re: USA Driving Licence
 

I assumed this was for Canadian citizens who are allowed to visit the US for up to 6 months at one time per year and for other foreigners who had the required visa to do so. My Canadian in-laws did this yearly each winter. The ESTA is not such a visa.

Re: USA Driving Licence
 

Canadians get B2 status without a visa, so each trip is up to 180 days. They can enter as many times as they want, but the CBP can reduce their length of stay or deny entry if they're not legitimate visitors. 6 months is a good rule of thumb, but it has no basis is law (except for tax purposes that most tourists would want to avoid).

Re: USA Driving Licence
 

Presume the OP is a British citizen on a B1/B2 visa which allows him/her up to 6 months in 12 for visiting.
Don't know how he/she stays for up to 8 months. Also presume they go back to the UK if falling ill.

Re: USA Driving Licence
 

He says ESTA in the first post. So I assume spends close to the max of 90 days in the US, then back to the UK for a shorter period, and repeat.

Re: USA Driving Licence
 

Oh yes,..... missed that.

Re: USA Driving Licence
 

This is what I assumed as well. He needs to keep in mind that if his total time in the US for one year is 8 months or more, then he is increasing the odds of being turned away at the POE on his next visit. He does not have the right to live in the US full time (and yes, I consider 8 months a year full time living in the US). If he is denied on his next visit on the VWP, then I believe he cannot use that in the future and will require a formal visa to enter the US.