getting a driver's license in pennsylvania

[FrankGloria 0]

Hi everyone. I've looked over the PA-DMV website and I'm a little confused. My wife entered the US as a K-1 fiancé. We were married a few weeks ago. She has a valid Italian driver's license and an International Driving Permit. My questions are: Does she need to apply for a permit and take a written and driving test? Or can she apply for a license (no tests) based on the fact that she is currently a licensed driver? Does she need to apply using the DL180 (permit with a medical exam) form or the DL180R (license and no medical exam) form? Thanks in advance!

[Ms C 5]

She can drive with her driving license for a certain no of months, that depends from state to state, in Oklahoma DMV they told me 9 months, check with yours, after that she needs to take both written and practical test and get a driving license here.

[Kastrs 723]

Each state has its own rules, it might be helpful for you to call the DMV and explain the situation. I live in ny and here the rule is that once you become a resident of ny you need to get an in state license, and that means starting from the beginning with a permit and everything. Good luck figuring this out.

Edited April 26, 2013 by Kastrs

[Adrian_Trischa 6]

I'm going through the same thing (in a different state). I have to get my learners permit again and then go for the practical test...again. (Dreading doing parallel parking!)

[a+j 77]

Best thing you can do is going to the DMV and ask, as the requirements are different from State to State.

When I did it here in Indiana, I was told I could drive on my Italian license for one year provided I also carried its certified translation on official stationery (which I got from a university). I didn't have to apply for a learner's permit as I already had my out-of-Country license, but I had to take a written test and a driving test to get my Indiana driver's license.

Edited April 26, 2013 by a+j

[justashooter 430]

the international is good for 1 year from arrival date or till it's expiration. the physical test is required. documentation of permanent residence is required. NOA from application for adjustment after marriage is good enuf, IIRC.

[scotinmass 588]

I'm going through the same thing (in a different state). I have to get my learners permit again and then go for the practical test...again. (Dreading doing parallel parking!)

I took my road test in MA. I practiced and practiced parallel parking till I could do it in my sleep and the guy never asked me to do it! The test was ridiculously easy.

[Moomin 292]

Technically, when being a visitor (meaning not a resident) she can drive with her foreign license. Thing is, K1 is a non-immigrant visa used for immigrating. So until AOS, she's not necessarily a resident, only a visitor. But it's a grey area.

However, I'd personally prefer to just get it overwith and go do the written test and what else is needed, within those 60 days. I'd dislike ending up in the learner's permit for xx months before being legally allowed to drive without anyone else in the car with a valid driver's license. So if there's a way of waiving the months of learner's permit, I'd go down that route. - Which means; get ssn now, save the envelope(when getting the ss card in mail) with the name and address on to present as proof of being a new resident and any other type of mail with her name and address on it. Bring marriage cert. if she'll be using her married name. And ofcourse passport and I94.

Soo.. On their webpage it says; "All new residents with out-of-state non-commercial driver's licenses must obtain a PA Driver’s License within 60 days of establishing Pennsylvania residency. To apply, you must appear in person at one of ourDriver License Centers. You will be required to surrender your out-of-state driver’s license (valid or expired six months or less) before PennDOT can issue you a PA Driver's License. You will need to take a vision-screening test and complete Form DL-180R “Application for Pennsylvania Non-Commercial Driver’s License By Out-of-State Non-CDL Driver.” In addition, you will need to show proof of identification and residency and your Social Security card. Please visit our fees page for information on the fee for the product you will be requesting."

http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/new_residents/driver_license.shtml

And here's a link to the locations of the license branches; http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/centers/locationsCenter.shtml

Edited April 28, 2013 by moomin

[DeW_DrOpS 21]

Hi everyone. I've looked over the PA-DMV website and I'm a little confused. My wife entered the US as a K-1 fiancé. We were married a few weeks ago. She has a valid Italian driver's license and an International Driving Permit. My questions are: Does she need to apply for a permit and take a written and driving test? Or can she apply for a license (no tests) based on the fact that she is currently a licensed driver? Does she need to apply using the DL180 (permit with a medical exam) form or the DL180R (license and no medical exam) form? Thanks in advance!

Well..i am also from PA and last week i gave Computer Test and passed it successfully. It was damn easy to pass, we hav to get 15 questions correct out of 18 and u can also skip questions if u dont know them. After u pass they will take ur Vision Test and then give u a Valid Learner's Permit. But they asked me 2 Residence proofs. After u get ur Learner's Permit, u can immediately give ur Road Test if u know driving well.

Apart from what i understand is that if u hav a Foreign Lisence it will be valid for only 1 year, so after that u will have to apply and go thru all this process. So it is better to apply soon and get Driving Lisence after passing computer test.