Driving in the USA

[mustang-sally 8]

I have held a full driving license in the UK since about 1993. Had one endorsement in 2003 for speeding (57mph on a motorway where the roadworks were finished but speed cams were still up, dont ask!!!!) Anyway that is off my licence now, being over 4 years.

I want to drive in the USA as soon as possible and from my understanding I can for up to a year with an International Driving Document before I pass the USA test.

What are others experiences on this? I want to be legal on the roads but with minimum fuss.

[English Muffin 59]

I have held a full driving license in the UK since about 1993. Had one endorsement in 2003 for speeding (57mph on a motorway where the roadworks were finished but speed cams were still up, dont ask!!!!) Anyway that is off my licence now, being over 4 years.

I want to drive in the USA as soon as possible and from my understanding I can for up to a year with an International Driving Document before I pass the USA test.

What are others experiences on this? I want to be legal on the roads but with minimum fuss.

I think driving regulations over here vary State by State. If you Google the DMV of the State you're moving to you might get some info. Here in Massachusetts I can use my UK licence for up to a year, but that might be because they won't give me a driving licence until I'm considered a 'resident' of the State. Other states may give licences out much more freely.

Let us know how you get on.

Gillian

[elmcitymaven 9,711]

You do not need an International Driving Licence to do this -- essentially, that is a document which translates the information on your foreign licence into the language of the country in which you are driving. It is not a stand-alone document, and must be used with your foreign DL. Since your licence is already in English, it isn't necessary.

But, as Gillian says above, each state will have different rules about how long you can drive on your UK licence. In Connecticut, it's 12 months, but this varies from state to state. Googling is the way to go, and don't waste your money on the International DL!

[mustang-sally 8]

Im glad I dont need an International Drivers License.

I have searched and found that if I'm a tourist or student in Wisconsin then my UK license is ok for a year. However, there is no mention of immigrants so I have emailed them to see where I stand, just waiting on a reply now. Hoping that I do have 12 months to get my US license sorted.

[Muuuuah 0]

I searched the internet for the state i am in and it told me that i could drive on my UK license for up to one year. But when i called the the test center they told me that the UK license was not valid in the state and that it could not be used. There was a lot of confusion, in the end i had to wait until i got my EAD then they let me take my test. As well as looking on google i would call your local test center to see what they say.

[SMB x2 0]

Can I just ask what sort of thing people have been searching for. I imagine it's the usual 12 month thing, but I wanted to look up the rules for Iowa and my UK drivers license, but I'm not having much luck.

Thanks

[English Muffin 59]

Can I just ask what sort of thing people have been searching for. I imagine it's the usual 12 month thing, but I wanted to look up the rules for Iowa and my UK drivers license, but I'm not having much luck.

Thanks

Here you go

http://www.dot.state.ia.us/mvd/ods/foreign.htm

The main site is http://www.dot.state.ia.us/mvd/ods/index.htm

Gillian

Edited February 8, 2008 by English Muffin

[SMB x2 0]

Ah, lovely, cheers! I was on that page earlier (the first link) but couldn't understand the terminology. OK, so I've done a bit of searching about,

Permanent resident foreign nationals should bring their Permanent Resident Card (I-551). Permanent resident foreign nationals may be issued a full term Driver's License or Non-Driver Identification Card.

Does that mean once we're nearing the end of the AOS process and I get that I-551 stamp in my passport, I'm good to prod the local license place and see about being issued with a full Iowa license? I must admit, all this time I was assuming I'd need to resit a test and start driving in the US from scratch.

Stu

Edited February 8, 2008 by SMB x2

[Crazy_Brit 0]

Don't forget you need a Social Security number to get a DL, i came here in May 2005 and took my text Oct 2005 but I also if I remember rightly had to show them my EAD or some proof that I was here legally.

Crazy Brit

[Boiler 43,430]

Im glad I dont need an International Drivers License.

I have searched and found that if I'm a tourist or student in Wisconsin then my UK license is ok for a year. However, there is no mention of immigrants so I have emailed them to see where I stand, just waiting on a reply now. Hoping that I do have 12 months to get my US license sorted.

Drivers new to Wisconsin are required to apply for a Wisconsin driver license within 60 days of establishing residency.

From their web site.