How long (if at all) can I use my foreign drivers license?

[TheNewGirl 0]

Hi,

I’ve been in the Stated for 5 years now. 4 years in college and 1 year on OPT.

I just received my second EAD and am waiting for my interview to get my AOS approved.

I have not owned a car since I’ve been here but had a moped in college. When I bought the moped, the salesman said all he needed was my Swedish drivers license and it has also been enough when I got stopped by a cop once because my back light was out.

I also borrow my husbands car from time to time.

Now, I know that I should have gotten a US license by now but always thought I didn’t have to until I was a resident (or I bought a car) and until then I could use my Swedish license (which is still valid)

Am I wrong? Anyone who knows how long, if at all, i am able to keep going on my foreign license.

Thanks!!

[CC90 90]

All driving issues are handled by the states as there's no "US license."

As such, it depends on which state you're in. In most states, you'd need a license by now.

Edited March 12, 2013 by CC90

[Owen_London 65]

Hi,

I’ve been in the Stated for 5 years now. 4 years in college and 1 year on OPT.

I just received my second EAD and am waiting for my interview to get my AOS approved.

I have not owned a car since I’ve been here but had a moped in college. When I bought the moped, the salesman said all he needed was my Swedish drivers license and it has also been enough when I got stopped by a cop once because my back light was out.

I also borrow my husbands car from time to time.

Now, I know that I should have gotten a US license by now but always thought I didn’t have to until I was a resident (or I bought a car) and until then I could use my Swedish license (which is still valid)

Am I wrong? Anyone who knows how long, if at all, i am able to keep going on my foreign license.

Thanks!!

I can't tell you the actual answer, but it will definitely depend on which state you are in. You should be able to find out the answer from your state's DMV/DOT website.

[Cathi 5,630]

Here in New Hampshire it was 30 days. each state is different.

[TheNewGirl 0]

Sorry for the confusion, I do realize there are no “US licenses”.

I used to live in Hawaii but live in California now.

Any ideas on how Cali is with foreign licenses?

[Cathi 5,630]

Sorry for the confusion, I do realize there are no "US licenses".

I used to live in Hawaii but live in California now.

Any ideas on how Cali is with foreign licenses?

go to the DMV site for Cali, they will have the info there.

[Dave&Roza 748]

Hi,

I've been in the Stated for 5 years now. 4 years in college and 1 year on OPT.

I just received my second EAD and am waiting for my interview to get my AOS approved.

I have not owned a car since I've been here but had a moped in college. When I bought the moped, the salesman said all he needed was my Swedish drivers license and it has also been enough when I got stopped by a cop once because my back light was out.

I also borrow my husbands car from time to time.

Now, I know that I should have gotten a US license by now but always thought I didn't have to until I was a resident (or I bought a car) and until then I could use my Swedish license (which is still valid)

Am I wrong? Anyone who knows how long, if at all, i am able to keep going on my foreign license.

Thanks!!

The key is the term "resident" as it is used by each state. For example here in Colorado you are not a resident unless you claim one of several benefits or have a physical presence of 90 days. Then you have 30 days to get a Colorado DL. So a max of 4 months to use the old license--that applies to any state DL as well as your Swedish license. Check the CA DMV and see if they allow the EAD to get a DL. If not, then you will have to wait for the GC. In the mean time, I think you are running the risk of a ticket of operating a vehicle without a proper license.

Dave

[hmh33 117]

If you have your EAD and a social security number, go and get a California driver's license already. It's easy, and you are required to do it once you've lived in the state for some short period - 10 or 30 days, I think.

[newacct 688]

Any ideas on how Cali is with foreign licenses?

People visiting can use their out-of-state or out-of-country licenses for as long as they want.

However, "residents" must get a California license within 10 days of becoming a resident.

But exactly how "resident" is defined is kind of murky. I think it's a common sense thing based on whether you're considered to be "living here". I don't think it has anything to do with your immigration status.

[MIDUVIL 34]

People visiting can use their out-of-state or out-of-country licenses for as long as they want.

However, "residents" must get a California license within 10 days of becoming a resident.

But exactly how "resident" is defined is kind of murky. I think it's a common sense thing based on whether you're considered to be "living here". I don't think it has anything to do with your immigration status.

I agree with you, I read plenty of times the NYS booklet to try to understand the meaning of resident.

There are also the intent to stay, if for example you have a K1, just married, so you have the intent to stay in NYS. So you need a valid NYS licence (around 30 days after your entrance in usa).

There is no link between being a resident for usics and being a resident for DMV, and to add to the mess each state has its own requirement.

Edited March 12, 2013 by MIDUVIL

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

Short answer: after 5 years in the Land of the Brave and Free, you absolutely need a California Driver License when operating a motor vehicle, even if you are blond and good looking.

If you just arrived fresh off the boat, you could drive with your Swedish one 'til you become a resident. However, California spells out "until you become a resident up to a maximum time of 1 year." Since you are in the U.S. for several years now, they definitely write you a ticket that will make your head spin like a UFO that has been shot.

[AnotherLostSoul 167]

Sorry for the confusion, I do realize there are no “US licenses”.

I used to live in Hawaii but live in California now.

Any ideas on how Cali is with foreign licenses?

So this is an interesting thing here in California. There's a written law, but the funny thing is, if they find out that you've lived here longer than a month they won't accept your Swedish driver's license and you can get in trouble for driving "without the license". I can't remember the exact number of days you can cruise around with your European license, but I had a friend who was here for a year, and in her 2nd month of stay she got stopped by a cop and got penalized for driving "without a license" since they did not accept her European DL. So, if I were you I would just apply for a DL as soon as you can. You need social security card (I think) and show legal status in the US. Good luck!

Short answer: after 5 years in the Land of the Brave and Free, you absolutely need a California Driver License when operating a motor vehicle, even if you are blond and good looking.

If you just arrived fresh off the boat, you could drive with your Swedish one 'til you become a resident. However, California spells out "until you become a resident up to a maximum time of 1 year." Since you are in the U.S. for several years now, they definitely write you a ticket that will make your head spin like a UFO that has been shot.

LOL I like your analogy! I even visualized it...LOL

[SunnySanDiego 17]

Hi,

I’ve been in the Stated for 5 years now. 4 years in college and 1 year on OPT.

I just received my second EAD and am waiting for my interview to get my AOS approved.

I have not owned a car since I’ve been here but had a moped in college. When I bought the moped, the salesman said all he needed was my Swedish drivers license and it has also been enough when I got stopped by a cop once because my back light was out.

I also borrow my husbands car from time to time.

Now, I know that I should have gotten a US license by now but always thought I didn't have to until I was a resident (or I bought a car) and until then I could use my Swedish license (which is still valid)

Am I wrong? Anyone who knows how long, if at all, i am able to keep going on my foreign license.

Thanks!!

I'm in Cali also and according to the California DMV you should have gotten a license within ten days of residing in the state.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.htm#two500

Also how did you get insurance? In the state of California they will not insure you if you don't have a state license or are you driving uninsured?

[hmh33 117]

I was able to get insurance before I had a CA license. It was a bit expensive though.

[SunnySanDiego 17]

I was able to get insurance before I had a CA license. It was a bit expensive though.

Weird when I got here I tried to go on my husband insurance and then looked around because no place would insure me without an American licence from some state and most wanted me to get a California one. Did you have a licence from another state?