Conflicting informtion - Florida DMV

[Saffyre 0]

I have been in the US almost 30 days, and I finally bought a car this weekend. My SO has it insured so I am ok to drive it with my UK license (or so he assures me).

However, I have been told by DMV that my UK license is only valid for 30 days after arriving in the US, after which time I must get a FL license.

Now, that gives me FOUR days to feel confident enough to pass my test which i am not happy about.

I was under the impresion that I was good to drive on a UK license for up to 6 months because the legal statute says 'residents' have to have a FLlicense. Well since I am not married yet, nor have I filed for AOS, I assume I am not a resident.

If you move to Florida and have a valid license from another state, you must get a Florida license within 30 days of becoming a resident. Here's what they say about that........

You are considered a resident of Florida if you:

enroll your children in public school, or

register to vote, or

file for a homestead exemption, or

accept employment, or

reside in Florida for more than six consecutive months.

I've been here less than a month and I have no job, no children, I can't vote and I don't even know what hokestead exemption is.

So, does anyone here know if I can legally drive with my UK licence past the 30 day limit? If I get stopped by a policeman, what's the worst that can happen? (I'm not saying I will risk it, but i'm just curious)

Thanks in advance

Edited August 25, 2008 by Saffyre

[yankee 0]

I have been in the US almost 30 days, and I finally bought a car this weekend. My SO has it insured so I am ok to drive it with my UK license (or so he assures me).

However, I have been told by DMV that my UK license is only valid for 30 days after arriving in the US, after which time I must get a FL license.

Now, that gives me FOUR days to feel confident enough to pass my test which i am not happy about.

I was under the impresion that I was good to drive on a UK license for up to 6 months because the legal statute says 'residents' have to have a FLlicense. Well since I am not married yet, nor have I filed for AOS, I assume I am not a resident.

If you move to Florida and have a valid license from another state, you must get a Florida license within 30 days of becoming a resident. Here's what they say about that........

You are considered a resident of Florida if you:

enroll your children in public school, or

register to vote, or

file for a homestead exemption, or

accept employment, or

reside in Florida for more than six consecutive months.

I've been here less than a month and I have no job, no children, I can't vote and I don't even know what hokestead exemption is.

So, does anyone here know if I can legally drive with my UK licence past the 30 day limit? If I get stopped by a policeman, what's the worst that can happen? (I'm not saying I will risk it, but i'm just curious)

Thanks in advance

you can check this site; http://www.dmv.org/

or google for DPS in Florida.

[diadromous mermaid 36]

Only you can really answer...

Have you.....

enrolled your children in public school, or

registered to vote, or

filed for a homestead exemption, or

accepted employment, or

resided in Florida for more than six consecutive months

yet?

I have been in the US almost 30 days, and I finally bought a car this weekend. My SO has it insured so I am ok to drive it with my UK license (or so he assures me).

However, I have been told by DMV that my UK license is only valid for 30 days after arriving in the US, after which time I must get a FL license.

Now, that gives me FOUR days to feel confident enough to pass my test which i am not happy about.

I was under the impresion that I was good to drive on a UK license for up to 6 months because the legal statute says 'residents' have to have a FLlicense. Well since I am not married yet, nor have I filed for AOS, I assume I am not a resident.

If you move to Florida and have a valid license from another state, you must get a Florida license within 30 days of becoming a resident. Here's what they say about that........

You are considered a resident of Florida if you:

enroll your children in public school, or

register to vote, or

file for a homestead exemption, or

accept employment, or

reside in Florida for more than six consecutive months.

I've been here less than a month and I have no job, no children, I can't vote and I don't even know what hokestead exemption is.

So, does anyone here know if I can legally drive with my UK licence past the 30 day limit? If I get stopped by a policeman, what's the worst that can happen? (I'm not saying I will risk it, but i'm just curious)

Thanks in advance

[Saffyre 0]

Mermaid...I have done none of those things, but the lady in DMV insisted that I had to retake my test within 30 days and wouldn't pay anay attention to the information I had printed out and taken with me.

While I would prefer not to take my test yet, i'll do it if I have to. My concern is that I get pulled over by a cop then get into trouble with immigration if they say I was caught 'driving without a license'