This is pretty important for me to know!
Full Version: When can my fiance Drive a car after entering the US?
You need to check out the website in your state - the DMV or whatever it is called for you. There should be information about foreign drivers. Most can drive for a limited period of time (tourists and what not) but there could be different rules in your state, ant there could be a time limit.
QUOTE(TimsDaisy @ Apr 18 2007, 05:54 AM) 
You need to check out the website in your state - the DMV or whatever it is called for you. There should be information about foreign drivers. Most can drive for a limited period of time (tourists and what not) but there could be different rules in your state, ant there could be a time limit.
Like they said above, most foreigners can drive for a limited period of time all over the US with their home country license. For example, with my US license I can drive almost anywhere in the world while I am on a tourist visa....and the US is mostly the same. You do need to check your DMV in your state because they may have certain rules about it. I looked at the GA one yesterday and couldn't find anywhere about HOW he actually gets a GA license though! Like if he just automatically gets one (highly unlikely!) or if he has to take the test like a 16 year old or what! It had information about people from out of state getting one, but not from out of country. I plan on posting in the Australia regional section (since he's Australian) and I'm sure I can find my answer there!
Maybe try posting in the Mexico area or just simply looking up your states DMV website to find out.
Good Luck
Do what the others have said...go to your state's DMV/DPS/whatever website and look it up, or pick up the phone and call them. The laws vary from state to state. Some states give you 30 days, some give you a year. In some states it also matters what country her license is from.
In Texas:
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administratio...s_dl_id.htm#q51
In Texas:
QUOTE
How long can I drive with an out-of-country driver license?
Generally, a person 18 to 75 years of age with a valid out-of-country driver license in their possession may drive a private, non-commercial motor vehicle in the State of Texas for up to one year from date of entry into the United States, if their home country has reciprocity with the U.S. In order to check for reciprocity agreement status, click on Reciprocity In Driver Licensing or you may contact License Issuance at (512) 424-5089 or by e-mail at license.issuance@txdps.state.tx.us. 37 Texas Administrative Code 15.91.
Generally, a person 18 to 75 years of age with a valid out-of-country driver license in their possession may drive a private, non-commercial motor vehicle in the State of Texas for up to one year from date of entry into the United States, if their home country has reciprocity with the U.S. In order to check for reciprocity agreement status, click on Reciprocity In Driver Licensing or you may contact License Issuance at (512) 424-5089 or by e-mail at license.issuance@txdps.state.tx.us. 37 Texas Administrative Code 15.91.
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administratio...s_dl_id.htm#q51
QUOTE(Marina + Dave @ Apr 18 2007, 03:46 AM)
QUOTE(TimsDaisy @ Apr 18 2007, 05:54 AM)
You need to check out the website in your state - the DMV or whatever it is called for you. There should be information about foreign drivers. Most can drive for a limited period of time (tourists and what not) but there could be different rules in your state, ant there could be a time limit.
Like they said above, most foreigners can drive for a limited period of time all over the US with their home country license. For example, with my US license I can drive almost anywhere in the world while I am on a tourist visa....and the US is mostly the same. You do need to check your DMV in your state because they may have certain rules about it. I looked at the GA one yesterday and couldn't find anywhere about HOW he actually gets a GA license though! Like if he just automatically gets one (highly unlikely!) or if he has to take the test like a 16 year old or what! It had information about people from out of state getting one, but not from out of country. I plan on posting in the Australia regional section (since he's Australian) and I'm sure I can find my answer there!
Maybe try posting in the Mexico area or just simply looking up your states DMV website to find out.
Good Luck
I can answer that one, as we are in Georgia. My husband was told he could drive on his Canadian driver's permit until his I-94 expired. At the time we were told this he only had about three weeks left on it. Then we were told that he could NOT obtain a driver's permit until he either had his EAD card OR his green card. We had to wait about another six to eight weeks before he could get a DL since his EAD app had not been approved at that time. Having the NOA1 for it doesn't matter to them. Apparently they don't have too many legal immigrants come through their office...they had to go to their "back room" and dig out some manual they claimed had the rules and regs about this type thing.
Janet, your best bet would be to look up the DMV regulations for the state YOU live in. If you don't find an answer, call or make a visit. Best of luck to you both.
For more information on this whole process, you might want to check The Department of Motor Vehicles Guide for reference. Hopefully that should help some.
Theoretically, you are not meant to drive on an international license under the whole "IDP" scheme. Realistically, it's a non-issue.
Washington: I contacted the Dept of Licensing and they said I'd have to apply for a driver's license within 12 months.
Your biggest issue has not yet been mentioned:
Your partner may be covered as an OCCASIONAL driver of your vehicle. Insurance may deny or attempt to deny any claim by reason of the fact that your spouse could be considered more than occasional, and hence need to be added to your policy.
And therein lies the hiccup. I have not come across a single insurance company, with the exception of one (can't remember, will edit when I get home), that will do this WITHOUT a US license issued.
Therefore, you should be aware of the very real possibility (less likely before marriage, very much more so after) that your partner will effectively be uninsured driving your vehicle.
This was quite a scary prospect for my partner and I. Not so much so when it was her `95 Honda Civic I was driving (not discounting the third party/injury potential, etc), but when we bought a new car. Some of my most careful driving ever, and an immediate license appointment was made!
Washington: I contacted the Dept of Licensing and they said I'd have to apply for a driver's license within 12 months.
Your biggest issue has not yet been mentioned:
Your partner may be covered as an OCCASIONAL driver of your vehicle. Insurance may deny or attempt to deny any claim by reason of the fact that your spouse could be considered more than occasional, and hence need to be added to your policy.
And therein lies the hiccup. I have not come across a single insurance company, with the exception of one (can't remember, will edit when I get home), that will do this WITHOUT a US license issued.
Therefore, you should be aware of the very real possibility (less likely before marriage, very much more so after) that your partner will effectively be uninsured driving your vehicle.
This was quite a scary prospect for my partner and I. Not so much so when it was her `95 Honda Civic I was driving (not discounting the third party/injury potential, etc), but when we bought a new car. Some of my most careful driving ever, and an immediate license appointment was made!
I was added to my husbands insurance as an additional driver using just my UK license, witch was valid in MA for 12 months from entry or until I became a resident.... I did not apply for my MA license until I had my EAD and SSN... then we updated my info with the insurance company....
Kez
Kez
Every state is different. The answer depends on your state's rule. Whether or not his Mexican license is valid and for how long is also up to your state.
QUOTE(Janet and Edgar @ Apr 18 2007, 12:52 AM)
This is pretty important for me to know!
Mine was driving one the first week she was here....This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.