I need some help: Driving in the US with your UK driving license

[Helen Louise Pile 80]

Hi everyone,

I arrived here in October with my K1 visa. We got married and are now waiting for our AOS paperwork. I had my biometrics appointment recently.

Yesterday I was pulled over by a cop here in Vermont and when she saw my license she said that it was not valid to drive here for more than 30 days after arrival. My husband wants to contest this ticket as we were under the impression that a UK full license holder could drive here in the US for one year on that license. I am aware than when I do become a resident I will have 60 days under Vermont law to obtain my state driving license but I cannot apply for that until I have my permanent resident card.

I am looking for evidence that UK drivers can drive in the US on their license. So far this is the only thing I have found:

"The U.S.A. has an agreement with most countries whereby the renter's full national driving license may be used for a period of up to one year in the U.S.A. This applies to the full U.K. driving license. Provisional licenses are not acceptable."

(Source: http://london.usembassy.gov/rctour.html)

The Vermont DMV have no information on this matter as far as I can see.

Can anyone help me find any further evidence of this???

Edited April 2, 2011 by Helen Louise Pile

[Inky 1,110]

I believe you need an international driving permit to use a foreign license for a year.

Otherwise its by state rules which are generally 30/60 days to use your foreign license depending on the state.

[Casprd 167]

I would go to court regardless. Even if it is a 30 day time limit, you can ask the judge for an adjudicated judgement. You will still have to pay any fine, but if you don't get another ticket for a certain period then it wont show on your record and won't be an impact on insurance costs

[Mal and Meg 12]

I was told i will need to sit the theory and road test with my UK licence in Minnesota though nw that i passed the theory test my UK licence is valid as mylearners permit until i pass the road test in Minnesota, but must have a person in the car who has a US licence

[Helen Louise Pile 80]

Thanks for responses!

I do intend to contest the ticket and go to court. I just really want to have evidence to back up my claim before I file 'denied' on my ticket.

As I arrived on K1 visa I cannot apply for ANY license or test with the DMV here in Vermont. They require proof of authorization to stay for at least 180 days, which the K1 visa does not provide.

What I read on the US Embassy in London website and from speaking to another Brit here in Vermont I do believe that we the UK and US have an agreement to allow full license holders to use their own license. This changes when you are a 'resident' of a State...which I am not currently but will be once I have my 'greencard'.

I am not sure where to look for information on this matter as the DMV only deals with legal residents.

Can anyone help direct me to the appropriate place??

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Okay here: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~ovis/updates/prearrival/license/vtdmv.html

An International Driver's License will be valid for up to six months, as will certain foreign or out-of-state licenses recognized by the State of Vermont. After six months, you need to apply for a state license.

The link you provided refers to rental vehicles. Every link I can find talks about checking your state requirements.

This here: http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Foreign_Visitors_Driving.shtml for instance basically says "check your state requirements".

[Seven 24]

I brought with me my European license (from Spain) and the international license.

I'm living in Ohio and all I can tell you is that the fact you can use it for a year it is said in the international drivers permit, in the driving state rules book I have to study to take the state's written test and in the website of BMV here in Ohio.

Hopefully you can find the information in the same places in your state.

Good luck!

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

Fight the ticket.

You are lawfully licensed to operate a motor vehicle on public roads.

You are required to apply for a state-issued driver's license once you become a resident.

You become a resident once your pending application for lawful permanent residence is approved.

Until then you are a foreigner, lawfully present in the USA, and as such you are driving with the valid license you have.

Unless the judge is a brain amputee, you'll win this one.

[Helen Louise Pile 80]

Fight the ticket.

You are lawfully licensed to operate a motor vehicle on public roads.

You are required to apply for a state-issued driver's license once you become a resident.

You become a resident once your pending application for lawful permanent residence is approved.

Until then you are a foreigner, lawfully present in the USA, and as such you are driving with the valid license you have.

Unless the judge is a brain amputee, you'll win this one.

Thank you. That's what my husband says. I notice you often give good advice here, thanks!

Any ideas on where I could call or look up this info though? Should I call my embassy to check it out? K1 can be confusing to try to explain to people...The cop didn't want to hear about it, she just looked at my POE stamp date.

Thank you for your advice, I am mortified at getting a ticket. I would never have driven if I'd thought it was a problem. I guess what I should have done was carry evidence of my right to drive.

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Any ideas on where I could call or look up this info though? Should I call my embassy to check it out? K1 can be confusing to try to explain to people...The cop didn't want to hear about it, she just looked at my POE stamp date.

We had a similar incident when my husband was driving with his UK license prior to getting his EAD which would allow him to get a Texas driver's license. He shouldn't have said "I've lived here 3 months" because that brought up he had only 30 days to get a TX license. I spent 30 minutes debating it was impossible with a K1 and we had been to the DPS office twice and the laws changed the day he arrived so it was new. Then it got into "where is your authorization to be here." The state trooper finally scratched out the failure to have a drver's license, but issued the speeding citation using his UK license. But in parting he said he was going to the license office the next morning to see if what I was saying was true.

This document from the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administratorst may help http://www.aamva.org/aamva/DocumentDisplay.aspx?id={E0CFB3C6-88F0-4FC3-959B-6BD1B9D5FF31} See page 141 and 143 saying Vermont allows foreign visitors 12 months.

And you will have to show you are not yet eligible to get a Vermont license until you get, at minimum, the EAD card which will show 1 year authorization in the US. This link from USCIS nicely explains you only get 90 days, but can remain pending your greencard. http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=640a3e4d77d73210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=640a3e4d77d73210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD

This is the paragraph text:

After the Fiancé(e) Visa is Issued

Once issued, the fiancé(e) visa (or K-1 nonimmigrant visa) allows your fiancé(e) to enter the United States

for 90 days

so that your marriage ceremony can take place. Once you marry, your spouse may apply for permanent residence and

remain in the United States

while USCIS processes the application. For additional information, see the “Green Card” link to the right.

[Helen Louise Pile 80]

We had a similar incident when my husband was driving with his UK license prior to getting his EAD which would allow him to get a Texas driver's license. He shouldn't have said "I've lived here 3 months" because that brought up he had only 30 days to get a TX license. I spent 30 minutes debating it was impossible with a K1 and we had been to the DPS office twice and the laws changed the day he arrived so it was new. Then it got into "where is your authorization to be here." The state trooper finally scratched out the failure to have a drver's license, but issued the speeding citation using his UK license. But in parting he said he was going to the license office the next morning to see if what I was saying was true.

This document from the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administratorst may help http://www.aamva.org/aamva/DocumentDisplay.aspx?id={E0CFB3C6-88F0-4FC3-959B-6BD1B9D5FF31} See page 141 and 143 saying Vermont allows foreign visitors 12 months.

And you will have to show you are not yet eligible to get a Vermont license until you get, at minimum, the EAD card which will show 1 year authorization in the US. This link from USCIS nicely explains you only get 90 days, but can remain pending your greencard. http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=640a3e4d77d73210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=640a3e4d77d73210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD

This is the paragraph text:

After the Fiancé(e) Visa is Issued

Once issued, the fiancé(e) visa (or K-1 nonimmigrant visa) allows your fiancé(e) to enter the United States

for 90 days

so that your marriage ceremony can take place. Once you marry, your spouse may apply for permanent residence and

remain in the United States

while USCIS processes the application. For additional information, see the “Green Card” link to the right.

THANK YOU!

This is what I was hoping to find out.

I appreciate this a great deal.

Thank you very much.

[Helen Louise Pile 80]

We had a similar incident when my husband was driving with his UK license prior to getting his EAD which would allow him to get a Texas driver's license. He shouldn't have said "I've lived here 3 months" because that brought up he had only 30 days to get a TX license. I spent 30 minutes debating it was impossible with a K1 and we had been to the DPS office twice and the laws changed the day he arrived so it was new. Then it got into "where is your authorization to be here." The state trooper finally scratched out the failure to have a drver's license, but issued the speeding citation using his UK license. But in parting he said he was going to the license office the next morning to see if what I was saying was true.

This document from the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administratorst may help http://www.aamva.org/aamva/DocumentDisplay.aspx?id={E0CFB3C6-88F0-4FC3-959B-6BD1B9D5FF31} See page 141 and 143 saying Vermont allows foreign visitors 12 months.

And you will have to show you are not yet eligible to get a Vermont license until you get, at minimum, the EAD card which will show 1 year authorization in the US. This link from USCIS nicely explains you only get 90 days, but can remain pending your greencard. http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=640a3e4d77d73210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=640a3e4d77d73210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD

This is the paragraph text:

After the Fiancé(e) Visa is Issued

Once issued, the fiancé(e) visa (or K-1 nonimmigrant visa) allows your fiancé(e) to enter the United States

for 90 days

so that your marriage ceremony can take place. Once you marry, your spouse may apply for permanent residence and

remain in the United States

while USCIS processes the application. For additional information, see the “Green Card” link to the right.

Hello! Idon'tknow whether you will be notified of this.I just wanted to say thank you. I hadmy 'hearing' in traffic court today to contest my ticket and the ruling was in my favour.

Helen