k1 Drivers Licence from Country of Origin

[VanDerFran 10]

Does anyone knows if there is any value in having a Drivers Licence from the country of origin (Philippines) when moving to USA (Florida) on a K1 visa, I read some post where some frustration regarding time to get a Florida Drivers Licence is expressed.

 

Is there a International Drivers Licence that can mediate the problem with waiting and  getting short expiration dates on US Drivers Licence?

 

 

Thanks

Van Der

[shumway1756 304]

An international drivers license normally allows you to drive for a short period of time, after which you must be issued a license from that state in order to drive. So you're going to end up getting a Florida license anyways. But your international license gives you a period of time in which you can drive before you get the state license.

 

For Florida (from https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/visiting-florida-faqs/)

Quote

 

You must get a Florida license within 30 days of becoming a resident. You are considered a resident of Florida if you:

1.  Enroll your children in public school, or
2.  Register to vote, or
3.  File for a homestead exemption, or
4.  Accept employment, or
5.  Reside in Florida for more than six consecutive months.

 

 

Edited June 19, 2018 by shumway88

[Ben&Zian 4,397]

Yea like above. International drivers license can help for a short time but you still need to get a state issued license.  Also need to see if the US accept international drivers licenses when original is the Philippines. Some standards in other countries don't comply with the US but definately worth checking on.

[doggieandsam 765]

Agree with the above. My experience is for VA. I was able to drive for up to 60 days after arriving on a K1 on an international driver's license from the UAE. Before the 60 days expired and together with my AOS NOA1, I was able to get my VA license.

[Boiler 43,433]

No such thing as an International Drivers License, there is a permit which is basically a translation of your home license and will allow in the vast majority of cases you to drive in your State for however long new residents are permitted.

[VanDerFran 10]

1 hour ago, Boiler said:

No such thing as an International Drivers License, there is a permit which is basically a translation of your home license and will allow in the vast majority of cases you to drive in your State for however long new residents are permitted.

 

2 hours ago, doggieandsam said:

Agree with the above. My experience is for VA. I was able to drive for up to 60 days after arriving on a K1 on an international driver's license from the UAE. Before the 60 days expired and together with my AOS NOA1, I was able to get my VA license.

So, it is possible to drive on US with a foreigner Drivers Licence as long is in English? until AOS \ work permit ?

Edited June 19, 2018 by VanDerFran
add info

[Just Paul 4,591]

My wife got her Filipino Drivers License this past April and then we went to get the International Driving Permit (IDP) at the Philippine Auto Association before we left.  We are currently living in Mexico (I'm also a permanent resident there and I was able to add her to the car insurance for 1 year.  By the time that expires we should have immigrated to the US and if it there is still time on IDP she can drive there for the balance of the year.   

 

If we don't have our interview prior to December we will be going back to the Philippines for Christmas and she can renew her IDP for another year.

 

~P

[VanDerFran 10]

1 hour ago, Paul & Mary said:

My wife got her Filipino Drivers License this past April and then we went to get the International Driving Permit (IDP) at the Philippine Auto Association before we left.  We are currently living in Mexico (I'm also a permanent resident there and I was able to add her to the car insurance for 1 year.  By the time that expires we should have immigrated to the US and if it there is still time on IDP she can drive there for the balance of the year.   

 

If we don't have our interview prior to December we will be going back to the Philippines for Christmas and she can renew her IDP for another year.

 

~P

After one have a Filipino Drivers License, what is the process with  Philippine Auto Association to get the IDP?  test again?  fees?  takes time ?

[Just Paul 4,591]

4 hours ago, VanDerFran said:

After one have a Filipino Drivers License, what is the process with  Philippine Auto Association to get the IDP?  test again?  fees?  takes time ?

Just pay the fee, no test to take.  They are at 683 Aurora Blvd, New Manila, Quezon City. Open 8-5pm mon thru friday and 8-12 on saturday.  We were there for about 30 minutes on a wednesday morning.  http://www.aap.org.ph/

[doggieandsam 765]

12 hours ago, Boiler said:

No such thing as an International Drivers License, there is a permit which is basically a translation of your home license and will allow in the vast majority of cases you to drive in your State for however long new residents are permitted.

you may be right but why are the words "international driver's license" written on it then?

[doggieandsam 765]

10 hours ago, VanDerFran said:

 

So, it is possible to drive on US with a foreigner Drivers Licence as long is in English? until AOS \ work permit ?

i was able to drive on mine for 60 days (per VA rules) but obviously i am not an expert. we should defer to the experts on here. or better yet, research the specific rules for your state.

[Unlockable 7,306]

18 hours ago, VanDerFran said:

 

So, it is possible to drive on US with a foreigner Drivers Licence as long is in English? until AOS \ work permit ?

It is dependent on local state laws.

[willcrack 42]

12 hours ago, doggieandsam said:

you may be right but why are the words "international driver's license" written on it then?

Only because it is a translation of your original license info in multiple languages. If your original has info in English then the International Driver's Permit is not required in any state in the US. This requirement may change if you want to drive in some other country.

[Paul & Marina 53]

I have an International Drivers License and use it when I travel. Except, UK, Japan, and Australia. Thoses dam Britt's screwed up the whole driving world

[Sdkmu 51]

On 6/19/2018 at 3:16 PM, Ben&Zian said:

Yea like above. International drivers license can help for a short time but you still need to get a state issued license.  Also need to see if the US accept international drivers licenses when original is the Philippines. Some standards in other countries don't comply with the US but definately worth checking on.

Can a us citizen that is traveling to us to prove domicile to drive with an international driving permit until the issuance of us driving license ?