US Drivers License In Pennsylvania

[Meg and Grae 1]

Hey guys,,

I have a New Zealand DL and naturally,seeing I am now in the US,i need to get a US license.I am based in Pennsylvania.

Ive looked online for information about this but so far have had no luck,

Can someone explain what the general procedure is?.Do I have to sit another test?.How long does it take?.Do I need to get an International license before i get a US one?. ?????.

I have read through some of the posts here that some states require you to hand over your foreign license.Id rather avoid this.

Cheers!,,

Grae.

[payxibka 10,044]

Hey guys,,

I have a New Zealand DL and naturally,seeing I am now in the US,i need to get a US license.I am based in Pennsylvania.

Ive looked online for information about this but so far have had no luck,

Can someone explain what the general procedure is?.Do I have to sit another test?.How long does it take?.Do I need to get an International license before i get a US one?. ?????.

I have read through some of the posts here that some states require you to hand over your foreign license.Id rather avoid this.

Cheers!,,

Grae.

You do not need a US driver's license (actually no such thing). You need a Pennsylvania license. Look a the PA DMV website and they should have all the info you need.

[broma25 2]

You do not need an International license, you must get a PA license within 1 year. You can drive on your foreign license in PA for 1 year. However my recommendation is to get things swapped over to american as soon as you can, you need to start building and american life!

I had to take the written and driving test but I am from the UK, I really don't know about NZ. Call in at your local DMV I am sure they will tell you.

[Meg and Grae 1]

You do not need an International license, you must get a PA license within 1 year. You can drive on your foreign license in PA for 1 year. However my recommendation is to get things swapped over to american as soon as you can, you need to start building and american life!

I had to take the written and driving test but I am from the UK, I really don't know about NZ. Call in at your local DMV I am sure they will tell you.

Thanks mate.

I will find out where the nearest DMV is.I lived in London for eight years and swapped my NZ DL for a UK one and then back again.

Its good to know that I can use my NZ license for a year.Im guessing ill have to sit a written and practical again.

I feel like im 15 again.

[DI&JR 1]

You do not need an International license, you must get a PA license within 1 year. You can drive on your foreign license in PA for 1 year. However my recommendation is to get things swapped over to american as soon as you can, you need to start building and american life!

I had to take the written and driving test but I am from the UK, I really don't know about NZ. Call in at your local DMV I am sure they will tell you.

Thanks mate.

I will find out where the nearest DMV is.I lived in London for eight years and swapped my NZ DL for a UK one and then back again.

Its good to know that I can use my NZ license for a year.Im guessing ill have to sit a written and practical again.

I feel like im 15 again.

Here is the link to the PA Department of Motor Vehicles page:

http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/

->The drivers' manual states (for future reference):

http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/pdotforms/pa_dr...l/chapter_1.pdf

"WHO NEEDS A PENNSYLVANIA DRIVERʼS LICENSE?

• Foreign License Holders: Pennsylvania honors a valid foreign driverʼs license with an international driving

permit for a period of up to one (1) year. If the foreign license and/or international driving permit expire before

one (1) year, the individual must apply for a Pennsylvania learnerʼs permit to continue to drive in this state. All

holders of foreign licenses must apply for a Pennsylvania learnerʼs permit if they wish to obtain a Pennsylvania

driverʼs license. Reciprocity agreements exist with the countries of France and Germany allowing for the transfer

of a valid non-commercial driverʼs license without road or knowledge testing; a visual screening test will be

administered. (Transfer of a driverʼs license from France or Germany cannot be completed the same day.)"

(Hmm, good to know about the German reciprocity agreement! I hadn't looked at this before)

->The required documents for proof of residency(K-1):

http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/pdotforms/fact_...ts/pub195nc.pdf

Passport,

I-94,

Visa,

Social Security Card, or letter from SSA indicating that SSA did not

make a decision yet, or SSA rejection letter

Marriage Certificate showing proof of marriage to U.S.

Citizen,

Proof of Citizenship of spouse, and

2 proofs of residency (for spouse, I believe: http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/pdotforms/fact_...ts/pub195us.pdf )

-> and the link for locations of License Centers:

https://www.dot33.state.pa.us/locator/locat...080718144615653

I hope this helps!

[Oosie 1]

I drove a while on my UK license before applying for a PA learners permit. I had to show my green card, SS card and proof I lived in PA and pass an eye test. They sent me right away to take a computerised test, multiple choice questions, which surprisingly I passed right away.

Permit in hand, I scheduled a driving test online for 3 weeks later. Before the test I had to prove my lights worked. The test was to reverse park between 4 barrels, 3 attempts allowed, then to drive out of the parking lot, turn right, head 200 yds to a road, stopping at 4 stop signs, turn right onto the road, drive 100 yds to traffic lights, turn right, left at the stop sign in the mall parking lot, 50 yds and left into the test centre parking lot. I was warned before by a driving instructor to make sure I stopped properly, to pull out smoothly to the road in one movement, no edging out and to keep carefully within the speed limit. Most of the test was under 15 mph.

Needless to say after less than 5 minutes I had passed my test.

IF you drove in NZ and in the UK you should have no problem but do read the PA drivers manual first as I was stupid enough to think I could schedule my computerised test after I got my permit and it turned out that passing that test is a condition of getting the permit.

Keep your NZ license, whether you can exchange it or not and take the PA test, that way you don't need to consider handing over your NZ license.