Hi,

I'll be moving to Florida later this month, and one of the first things I aim to do is buy a new car. I was wondering if it's legal to do so without a US driver's license? I'm fully licensed in the UK, and I'm aware that there's a certain amount of time you're allowed to drive on a UK license in Florida (though I'm not clear exactly what this time limit is), but does this extend to buying a vehicle and applying for insurance? Will I even be able to get insured without a US license?

Cheers.

My car and I were insured using my Canadian license. (I brought it from Canada.) The insurance company just told me to let them know my new license information when I got it. When I bought my new car I already had my Florida license so I don't have any first-hand experience, but I do believe it shouldn't be a problem for you because Canadians purchase American vehicles and take them back with them all the time. In fact, we sold our old car to my parents who still live in Canada. Here's a good site for you: Florida DMV.

Regarding the insurance bit, I was insured on Shan's car over Christmas when I visited, using my UK license.

Not sure what FL's rules are on needing to obtain a local license though. The general figure seems to be a year, but obviously mileage is going to vary. I've been fishing about the license site for FL but it seems as confusing as Iowa's, so I'm not getting very far, sorry.

I too am moving to Ohio and am wondering about getting a license and state id as quickly as possible, I wonder, has anyone managed to get an id card or drivers license BEFORE getting green card, ead?

Yes, I got my state ID and driver's license before the greencard. You just need to show them a copy of your AOS receipt, your passport, and your current driver's license. I think I also needed to show them my SSN, but I'm not sure..... can't really remember anymore. Go to the DMV website and click on your state for specific information.

I thought there was a way for UK'ers to just get an international license through the transition to US/state DMV eligibility? I don't understand how Brits can come to the US and rent a car and just drive kind of automatically. I don't know if that's temporary or if you have to pass a test or what, but yeh I'd heard that an international license will cover you...maybe wouldn't help with insurance though.

Definately don't go without insurance in Florida. I try not to be prejudice but I'm sorry my GOD every time I'm driving and some idiot comes up and almost kills me in the most blatantly obnoxious idiotic asinine way, sure enough when the car passes I see that ugly orange Florida tag. Grrrrrrr I hate them

I can't help it

But remember, most of them are tourists or people who moved here from somewhere else...very few of us native Floridians left!!!

I take it by AOS reciept you mean the notice of approval letter you get a few days after filing?

is it not possible to get state id or license before even getting married? with just SSN and ID?

The purpose of an international driving licence is to translate driving documents from another country into English. If you have a UK licence, you do not need an international driving licence; your licence is in English. The IDL is not a standalone licence; it is only valid with a current foreign licence.

Your UK licence will be valid for driving in the US, but the length of time varies from state to state. Check with your local DMV. You will need to get a US DL before that time period elapses; in some states (like Connecticut and quite a few others) you will need to pass theory and on-the-road tests to get it. Some lucky sods get it transferred without the tests, from what I gather! But assume you will need to take a test, and study the state-issued guides to driving.

Your insurance rates should go down when you get your US DL. An IDL will have no effect on this, but then of course, you don't need one!