Driver's license.

[J & L 10]

I have a driver's license in my country but I'm not quite sure what I'll have to in the USA.
Would I be able to drive with it? Would it be switched to an American driver's license if mine's still valid?
Would I have to take a test again?

[AllYouCanEat 3]

You can drive with your license for maybe a few weeks after your arrival in the US. After that you will have to get a US driver's license and yes, you'll have to take both a written and driving test.

But don't worry it's pretty easy and only costs like 20 bucks.

Here's a good article that walks you through the process:

http://liveworktravelusa.com/back-to-school-your-first-us-drivers-license/

Good luck!

[J & L 10]

You can drive with your license for maybe a few weeks after your arrival in the US. After that you will have to get a US driver's license and yes, you'll have to take both a written and driving test.

But don't worry it's pretty easy and only costs like 20 bucks.

Here's a good article that walks you through the process:

http://liveworktravelusa.com/back-to-school-your-first-us-drivers-license/

Good luck!

Thank you so much!

[MyLittlePony 340]

Easy huh? Why we have lots of idoit drivers on the road should make the test harder.

[Marilyn. 340]

The requirements for the DL all depend on the State you are moving too. Not all States require you to take the learner and driving test over again.

[J & L 10]

The requirements for the DL all depend on the State you are moving too. Not all States require you to take the learner and driving test over again.

I just cannot find out which ones do require for me to take a test all over again...

[Dave&Roza 748]

I just cannot find out which ones do require for me to take a test all over again...

You need to concentrate on the requirements for the state you will be living in the US--that is the one that matters to you. Some states require the GC in order to even get a DL. Others let you get a DL based on a passport and an I-94. Please go to your state's DMV website and look up what the requirements are. A word of warning: you may be able to legally drive on your foreign DL, but what will the insurance company do if you should have an accident in a car owned by someone else like your spouse? That is the more important question. Every state olso has different definitions at to how and when you become a resident and that usually makes your foreign DL invalid.

Good luck,

Dave

[J & L 10]

You need to concentrate on the requirements for the state you will be living in the US--that is the one that matters to you. Some states require the GC in order to even get a DL. Others let you get a DL based on a passport and an I-94. Please go to your state's DMV website and look up what the requirements are. A word of warning: you may be able to legally drive on your foreign DL, but what will the insurance company do if you should have an accident in a car owned by someone else like your spouse? That is the more important question. Every state olso has different definitions at to how and when you become a resident and that usually makes your foreign DL invalid.

Good luck,

Dave

So true, we just sent our documents after all. I just try to make a list of all the things I'd need over there, and when ever I can think of something new, I try to make a post on here to see if anyone can help. I guess I'll have no choice but to go to the DMV, patiently wait, and hope someone can help me.

All in due time!

Edited May 31, 2013 by J & L

[MIDUVIL 34]

You can check on the DMV website of your future residence (sorry but I'm sure that I missed something).

[Owen_London 65]

Let's make this clearer: which state of the USA will you be living in? Once people know that, they may able to help more.

[CaroSL 68]

So true, we just sent our documents after all. I just try to make a list of all the things I'd need over there, and when ever I can think of something new, I try to make a post on here to see if anyone can help. I guess I'll have no choice but to go to the DMV, patiently wait, and hope someone can help me.

All in due time!

Call them in advance. They can tell you on the phone. Although they didn't tell me to bring my notice of action from the I-485 (that stake that the I-485 files has been accepted (not that I'll have my green card). This allowed me to get a driving licence valid for 6 months instead of 2. So I'll have my EAD before my driving licence expires and I'll be able to renew the DL with the EAD.So it is several trips to the DMV but at least I won't be out of a DL.

How long you can drive with your DL from your country depends on the state... in Arizona it is 7 months, in DC the website says it is a month but I have a good friend who assures me it is a year (I believed he called them up...)

It is not sure at all your state will make you go through the driving test again. I didn't have to.

good luck!

[J & L 10]

Let's make this clearer: which state of the USA will you be living in? Once people know that, they may able to help more.

Ohio.

[AllYouCanEat 3]

This is from the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles:

http://www.bmv.ohio.gov/dl_non_renewable_transferable.stm

This site states that you can obtain a "non-renewable" driver's license as a non-U.S. citizen that is good for 4 years based on your immigration papers.

Does that mean it cannot be extended after 4 years, unless you get a Greencard???

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

This is from the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles:

http://www.bmv.ohio.gov/dl_non_renewable_transferable.stm

This site states that you can obtain a "non-renewable" driver's license as a non-U.S. citizen that is good for 4 years based on your immigration papers.

Does that mean it cannot be extended after 4 years, unless you get a Greencard???

It means if you get EAD with an expiration in one year, the license will expire in one year. A two year greencard will get a two,year license. A ten year greencard will get you a four year (maximum) license. Then you have to go back and prove your immigrant status again to get a new four years. Edited June 1, 2013 by Nich-Nick

[Noel194 53]

Obtaining an Ohio Driver License

Once you are an Ohio resident, you need to become an official Ohio driver as soon as possible. You are considered an Ohio resident once you: take a job, sign a lease, buy a home, register to vote, or enroll children in school.

• • • • • • Obtain a copy of the Digest of Ohio Motor Vehicle Laws. This booklet is available for download or ordering, click here. You can also get the Digest at your local license agency. Look in the Yellow Pages under "License Services" for the license agency nearest you. All of the information you need to study for an Ohio driver license test is in this booklet.
          • After you've studied the Digest, go to the nearest Driver Examination Station for a knowledge test and vision screening. No appointment is necessary, but check the days and hours of operation for the exam station nearest to you.
          • The driving test is usually waived for new residents who have a valid out-of-state license. The examiner may require one for someone who may need a license restriction.
          • Additionally, you will be required to show proof of full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, proof of legal presence (U.S. Birth Certificate, valid U.S. Passport/Passport Card, Naturalization Papers, USCIS documents), and proof of residency. Please refer to the acceptable identification document list.

Note: If your full legal name is inconsistent on any of the documents presented you must provide additional documents to establish the full legal name. The following documents shall be acceptable for this purpose; a marriage certificate or marriage license; a certified copy of a decree of divorce, dissolution, or annulment of marriage; or a certified copy of a court ordered name change.