Drivers Licences...

[David And Katie 5]

Hi folks,

There's various interpretations on this, and I think (know?) it varies state by state.

I can't find a definitive answer, and short of calling Indiana BMV (I'm not that anxious to know), I wondered if anyone here had some info.

I know if I were a visitor or a tourist, I could use my UK licence for up to a year, but I've read anecdotally on here that you're only allowed to drive for 30 days on a foreign licence, if you have a visa (immigrant visa?).

The BMV (Indiana must be the only state not to use DMV) says this:

The United States signed an agreement with many other countries to honor a foreign driver license for visitors to the United States for at least one year from the date of arrival. This privilege is made possible as a result of the United Nations Convention on Road Traffic (Geneva, 1949), and the Convention on the Regulation of American Automotive Traffic (Washington, 1943), both of which have been ratified by the United States.

An out-of-country driver's license cannot be used for identification purposes. You do not have to surrender an out-of-country license if you are issued an Indiana driver's license, permit, or identification card.

If you have an out-of-country driver's license and intend to become a resident of Indiana or meet Indiana residency requirements, you must pass the vision screening test, written knowledge test, and driving skills test to obtain an Indiana driver's license.

All documents proving your identity, Social Security number, lawful status, and Indiana residency will be verified through a central verification process. The BMV will issue an interim license, valid for 30 days, authorizing the holder to drive pending authentication of documents submitted to BMV.

Anyone know for definite?

I'll be in country soon enough and with time on my hands, so its no problem to walk to the BMV - it's only a 2 mile walk.

David.

[Barbara J 115]

Hi folks,

There's various interpretations on this, and I think (know?) it varies state by state.

I can't find a definitive answer, and short of calling Indiana BMV (I'm not that anxious to know), I wondered if anyone here had some info.

I know if I were a visitor or a tourist, I could use my UK licence for up to a year, but I've read anecdotally on here that you're only allowed to drive for 30 days on a foreign licence, if you have a visa (immigrant visa?).

The BMV (Indiana must be the only state not to use DMV) says this:

Anyone know for definite?

I'll be in country soon enough and with time on my hands, so its no problem to walk to the BMV - it's only a 2 mile walk.

David.

David each state is so different in this country but you can drive on an international drivers permit for 1 year. I am in Georgia and I could not get my GA license till I had my GC even though it clearly states on the web site all I needed was my EAD work authority card. Some states will allow you to get your license with just that.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

No, No, No....do not get an international permit. It gives you no authority to drive. It is a translation booklet into many languages so foreign officers could easily understand your license. David does not need to translate his license from English to English. Now if he planned to drive in Germany or Czech Republic, it would be useful.

David, you are a visitor in the US until they grant you a permanent resident card...green card...AOS. Drive on your UK license until you can get one in IN.

The BMV (Indiana must be the only state not to use DMV)

We have DPS (Dept of Public Safety)

Edited July 27, 2011 by Nich-Nick

[David And Katie 5]

Thanks NN. Yeah, I mistakenly got an IDP after someone gave me some duff info [this was last year sometime]. I was told it was needed in order to get insurance on hire cars in the US. £5 down the drain, but I've gotten used to throwing money at this whole situation

Ok, I'll drive on my UK licence until then, and in the meantime gather the evidence that the BMV needs to issue a DL (Lawful status, identity, residency and SSN).

I've lost the will to live reading through their website so I will be productive and actually go down there and talk to someone next week.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Did you go through this app? http://www.in.gov/apps/BMV_SecureID/Information.aspx

They say they accept an I-94 as proof of lawful status, but most states also require it to be vald for 6 months or more. Since a K1 I-94 is good for only 90 days, IN may not go for it. I think just about every other I-94 is good for longer, but IN doesn't say on their website how long the I-94 has to be valid. Also looks like the NOA for filing AOS ought to be good for proof (I-797).

Proof of Indiana residency-- If you can't easily get added to bills, looks like Katie could sign an affidavit and show her license and her residency for you. It says parents can do that so I don't know why a new spouse of a foreigner couldn't sign too.

I would get SSN soon after arrival, work on getting name on a bank acount, lease, credit card, or utilities. Then with NOA from filing AOS, go try for the license.

Meanwhile drive as a visitor. I say this from experience because hubby got stopped on UK license and and was asked if he was visiting. "No, I've lived here two months." Bad choice. Then added to ticket was failure to get a TX license within 30 days (now it's 90). A state trooper does not know immigration, especially the K1. After much explanation that it was impossible to get a license for several months because of immigration issues, he finally scratched off no valid license. Hindsight says--"Yes, I'm visiting. Loverly state, Guv."

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

David,

your question is not an uncommon one and the issue surely is confusing as driver's license laws are a matter of the state, not the US government, and since we have 50 of these, there's a lot of different soups to be cooked.

Indiana is a new one for me so I had a quick read on the subject, but the way I interpret what's written, you do not meet the residency requirement of the State of Indiana yet and you are not in a position to satisfy Indiana's Secure ID requirements either. Thus, you are not a resident yet and can use your British license until you have become one and can document it. At that point your 30-day window opens.

http://www.in.gov/bmv/2766.htm

[JoannaV 174]

If you get bored whilst waiting, and have acquired an SSN, then you could always walk down there and try applying anyway. But maybe not if it is still super hot :-)

[David And Katie 5]

Thanks everyone...

The heat index today over there is 42C ... the temp is still set to be high on Friday and who knows until when! I thought it was hot in the UK!

I will slowly work on getting my name on bank statements and whatnot in the mean time and get my SSN (not really required for adding myself to a bank from what I've read...).

[rallybug 17]

No, you shouldn't need your SSN to open a bank account, although it will probably make it slightly easier as they can tick all the boxes in the right order I opened my account with WF back in June last year, when we hadn't even applied for K1.

[* Kristin * 49]

A perhaps silly question... if you are driving as a visitor on a UK license, do you need insurance? I was speaking to our insurance agent about this and she said she could add my fiance - on his British license - to our insurance. Is this wise? And is it needed...?

David,

your question is not an uncommon one and the issue surely is confusing as driver's license laws are a matter of the state, not the US government, and since we have 50 of these, there's a lot of different soups to be cooked.

Indiana is a new one for me so I had a quick read on the subject, but the way I interpret what's written, you do not meet the residency requirement of the State of Indiana yet and you are not in a position to satisfy Indiana's Secure ID requirements either. Thus, you are not a resident yet and can use your British license until you have become one and can document it. At that point your 30-day window opens.

http://www.in.gov/bmv/2766.htm

[David And Katie 5]

You need insurance, definitely.

I'm not sure if I can be added onto her policy though, and once we're married she has to stop using her parent's insurance anyway (she has her own car, but her mother has the insurance policy in her name).

So I guess that would be the chance to add me onto the new policy (and woohoo, another bill to pay).

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

A perhaps silly question... if you are driving as a visitor on a UK license, do you need insurance? I was speaking to our insurance agent about this and she said she could add my fiance - on his British license - to our insurance. Is this wise? And is it needed...?

Insurance is another thing governed by the state so I supposed there can be little nuances of differences. Asking your agent is the best thing you can do.

My example with a K1 on a UK license:

The car is insured, not the driver. So my car is insured as long as I gave permission for him to drive the car. He drove everytime he came here just to visit.

So then we married day 5 in the US and I called the agent to add new hubby. My agent said just wait until he gets his TX license. It's easier that way. The car is covered, even if he drives.

When I later put his name on the policy, my insurance didn't go up a penny. I was insuring the cars (owned 2) based on type, age, cost to repair, etc., not the driver. However had my hubby been a male under 26, the premium would have be higher on the most expensive vehicle.(Same for a female under 21 in TX) That's why many people here with teen boys buy them a clunker and a separate policy. Then the family Mercede$ won't be rated on an under age male driver. They are mega expensive to insure.

Best to find out straight from the person insuring you.

[Robert&Karen 264]

I'd love to know how many here already have driven on the wrong side of the road in America, and how many are deathly afraid of it.

[william_wallace 8]

I'd love to know how many here already have driven on the wrong side of the road in America, and how many are deathly afraid of it.

Driving in the South is like the Grim Reaper being the passenger beside you. Off all the places in the world I have driven, South Carolina is the worst. I need eyes on the side of my head all the time.

It still boggles my mind how easy the driving test is in South Carolina. 10 minutes on the road doing the basics of basics.

Still can't understand how they let 16 year olds on the road.

[DiZZyLoX 114]

I second Nich-Nick. I just changed insurance but with Allstate it was your cars insured. so you're good. that seems to be all that's cared about in FL. but double check.