getting a US Driver's License in NJ for Cr1 Beneficiary

[acoban 0]

Hello,

My wife was issued her Cr1 Visa (thanks to Visa Journey) and she will be immigrating from Switzerland to New Jersey on October 20th.

As far as getting a Driver's License in NJ, does anyone (with experience) know if she will begin with a permit, take any tests, or simply be issued a NJ Driver's License? I do know that Switzerland is a member of the UN Convention on Road Traffic, if that helps.

I also did find info. about non-US citizens with "temporary status" here: www.state.nj.us/mvc/Licenses/LicensesNon-Citizens.htm on the NJ DMV website. But I don't think this applies to her because she should have permanent status.

Finally, would obtaining an International Driver Permit assist her in any way? Or getting her Swiss License translated into English?

Thanks all,

Andrew

[*Snowdrop* 604]

Hello,

My wife was issued her Cr1 Visa (thanks to Visa Journey) and she will be immigrating from Switzerland to New Jersey on October 20th.

As far as getting a Driver's License in NJ, does anyone (with experience) know if she will begin with a permit, take any tests, or simply be issued a NJ Driver's License? I do know that Switzerland is a member of the UN Convention on Road Traffic, if that helps.

I also did find info. about non-US citizens with "temporary status" here: www.state.nj.us/mvc/Licenses/LicensesNon-Citizens.htm on the NJ DMV website. But I don't think this applies to her because she should have permanent status.

Finally, would obtaining an International Driver Permit assist her in any way? Or getting her Swiss License translated into English?

Thanks all,

Andrew

It's different in every state but reading the link you provided for temporary status it is probably very similar for those with greencards. You should phone them and double check but I imagine based on my experience in Virginia and reading the info from various states that she will have to take the vision, knowledge and road tests to get her licence. In Virginia you have 60 days to drive on your existing foreign licence and then you have to take the tests to get the state licence.

You'll need to provide all the documents to verify legal status and residence - they have an online checklist for you.

[gwenneh 7]

From experience in NJ in 2008, as long as she has a valid Swiss driving license, she takes the theory test and is exempt from the practical. Once she passes the theory, she will be issued a full license.

Edited September 11, 2011 by gwenneh

[acoban 0]

Thanks both. I called, and she'll need to take both written and driving tests. Good news is she can drive for up to a year with the Intl Driver's Permit. We'll purchase it.