A quick question about going for my drivers licence, I have been driving since 1996 in South Africa and was just wondering if I would have to do the whole learners permit and the drivers licence procedure here in New York, or can I just show them my SA permit and they just transfer all that info?

Thanx

Check the state's BMV or DMV site.

They'll have a link to what is required there. Each state is different.

Google is your friend...

If you have a driver license from any nation except Canada, you must pass a written test, complete a 5-hour pre-licensing course and pass a road test to qualify for a NYS driver license

That's not true for every state. Some states only require you come in to take eye test, written & driving tests. No 5-hr pre licensing is required if you are over 18yrs old and have a drivers license from a different country.

Btw, in most countries it's harder to pass the drivers license tests than in the US. So most immigrants with previous licenses pass on the first time.

I had a boyfriend from Venezuela when I was in college; he had a license in Venezuela but failed the TX test several times before finally passing it.

Let me call your attention to a couple of items... OP was asking about New York State (NYS)... Please see highlighted in my post...

Here in MA I had to take the written test and the road test....

I did the written test without even looking at the handbook and passed and I did the road test the next day and passed first time.... I was only asked to drive round the block, I was not asked to do anything else....

I have held a UK licence since 1982...

Kez

fwaguy is right by the way. Here's a link to what he's talking about:

http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/license.htm#d...romothernations

That must have been one easy test. Driving in the UK and TX is different enough to where you probably would not pass the written test without at least glancing through the manual. Some maneuvers that are legal here are not in TX and vice versa, and most Brits don't know how to negotiate a four-way stop since those are pretty unusual in the UK.

Well put it down to common sense.... If you have been driving for as long as I have and you observe others driving here you pick up the little diffrences in what is allowed that would not be allowed at home.... all the questions are multi choice so yes it is very easy....

Kez

Well, I'm glad you passed without studying. I've been driving since 1991 and I doubt I would pass Texas's driving test even NOW without at least revising the laws. I think MA's test must be really easy.

In St. Louis, Andre had to take the written and later, the driver's test, to get his license. I agree with whomever above commented on the complexity of the testing. I have been driving for many years and I was clearly stumped at some of the things they said on the written part.

Here is a link to some sample questions for MA

http://www.mass.gov/rmv/dmanual/appendixB.pdf

Kez

It is worse than Indiana. At least here I didn't have to do 5 hr course. Must have been very interesting.

I did have to hold the learner's permit for 90 days tho.

Yes, NY does not make getting a license (even to US citizens, hah) easy.

Here's a practice test for Texas. I surprised myself and got only two wrong.

http://www.dmv.org/dmv-practice-test.php?t...name=nationwide

DMV Practice Test
You got 23 correct out of a possible 25. You scored a 92%.


woooot!!!!!

Kez

Well, don't you just rock.

I had a colleague at work take it (holds a UK driving license) and he only got 72%.

IMPORTANT

Before you discard of give DMV your old driver's license, I don't think they take international license. The reason to Keep it, It will come very handy when you are going to get CAR INSURANCE. As a new driver from NY and a New license your insurance rate will be very high, but if you Have your foreign license to show years of experience it can bring down your premium.

Here in Georgia, my husband had to take the written test AND the driving test, but not a five hour pre licensing course. He is from Canada too, so the post about all countries except Canada doesn't always hold true. At least not here in Georgia.