Drivers License in the US

[mrandmrsBRS 116]

Hey,

I have a question.
I just failed my road test and I am very devastated.

Now, that I am running out of time, I won't be able to get my drivers license here in Germany.

How do I get my drivers license in america? And what do I need?

Do I have to go to a driving school like here in Germany?

Or can my husband practice with me a couple times and then take the test?

TIA

[Kastrs 723]

You would need a US licence when you become a US resident anyway. As for the requirements, those are dependent on what state you will be living in. Your husband should be able to tell you the requirements in the state where you will live.

[mrandmrsBRS 116]

You would need a US licence when you become a US resident anyway. As for the requirements, those are dependent on what state you will be living in. Your husband should be able to tell you the requirements in the state where you will live.

I'll be moving to Virginia. And as far as I know the german drivers license would still be vaild for 6 months in the US.

Anyway, is the DMV the only place where I can take the tests or are there different places?

[mallafri76 1,012]

You need to check the requirements for your state. In most states, you have to do the written test and the driving test to get a license. Since you don't already have a license, you'll probably need a learner license.

You'll get much better and accurate information if you just check with DMV in Virginia. Link below:

http://www.dmv.org/va-virginia/apply-license.php

[mrandmrsBRS 116]

You need to check the requirements for your state. In most states, you have to do the written test and the driving test to get a license. Since you don't already have a license, you'll probably need a learner license.

You'll get much better and accurate information if you just check with DMV in Virginia. Link below:

http://www.dmv.org/va-virginia/apply-license.php

Thank you very much =)

[mallafri76 1,012]

You may want to try and re-take the driver's test, as Virginia is one of the states that will let you simply exchange your German driver's license for an American one.

I've been driving for 21 years without incident, including no speeding ticket, and will still have to do a written test with all the new drivers and actually do a driver's test too. You're so lucky coming from Germany.

[mrandmrsBRS 116]

You may want to try and re-take the driver's test, as Virginia is one of the states that will let you simply exchange your German driver's license for an American one.

I've been driving for 21 years without incident, including no speeding ticket, and will still have to do a written test with all the new drivers and actually do a driver's test too. You're so lucky coming from Germany.

Actually I was thinking about doing that. But I would have to pay another 300 or 400 € which I don't have right now.

Germany is one of the hardest countrys to get your drivers license

[nobbie 105]

The driving test in the US is a joke, yes you may be able to exchange your German one for a Virginia one. The US test is so easy it's almost impossible to fail. My road test was only between 5 and 10 minutes plus a bit of parking between some cones. The written test (in MD anyway) is very easy if your English is good. I only had to answer 25 questions and was allowed to get 3 wrong!!! and still pass.

[mrandmrsBRS 116]

The driving test in the US is a joke, yes you may be able to exchange your German one for a Virginia one. The US test is so easy it's almost impossible to fail. My road test was only between 5 and 10 minutes plus a bit of parking between some cones. The written test (in MD anyway) is very easy if your English is good. I only had to answer 25 questions and was allowed to get 3 wrong!!! and still pass.

I downloaded the driving manual for Virginia and they are the same questions. So that shouldn't be a problmen at all.

5-10 mins??? lol Here in Germany you HAVE to drive 45 mins up to an hour).

ANd there are 3 people in the car: me, my instructor and the guy from the german dmv.

The car from my driving school has an extra brake and extra gas pedal for the front passanger (instructor) if he uses the brakes or anything like that, the test is over.

[mallafri76 1,012]

I downloaded the driving manual for Virginia and they are the same questions. So that shouldn't be a problmen at all.

5-10 mins??? lol Here in Germany you HAVE to drive 45 mins up to an hour).

ANd there are 3 people in the car: me, my instructor and the guy from the german dmv.

The car from my driving school has an extra brake and extra gas pedal for the front passanger (instructor) if he uses the brakes or anything like that, the test is over.

We have the same in Sweden. Remember the first couple of lessons when you drive and miss to give way or something, and the instructor hits the break for you. The driving test is an hour in Sweden too, not including the "ice road driving" and "driving in darkness" tests.

I was reading the written driving exam for Florida and it looks fairly easy, it just feels so flipping ridiculous to sit and do a written exam and then actually do a driving test when you've been driving with no incident for 21 years.

Have you checked how much it costs to do the tests in Virginia? Maybe it'll still be cheaper for you to try and re-do that driving test in Germany?!

[mrandmrsBRS 116]

I am not really sure if that is correct but

3 $ for a learners permit and 4 $ per year for a drivers license (a drivers license is valid for 8 years so 32 $ + 3 $ for the permit.

Even if I missed additional costs it still would be a lot cheaper than in Germany (I would have to pay 300-400 €)

And my husband could teach me how to drive in america, right?

[HK12 273]

Yes, your husband can teach you, once you have the Learner Permit.

I decided against getting a license in Germany, because it is so expensive and hard over there. Here is my experience: Once I had my EAD (I came on a K1), I took a couple of hours of classroom instructions through a driving school, then took the written test and got my Learner Permit. (Driving school is completely voluntary and not a requirement here in Oklahoma. It was just easier for me personally that way.) With the Learner Permit, I had 3 driving sessions with the driving school, and the rest was taught to me by my husband and father-in-law. After a few months of driving and getting used to the traffic, I took the practice test through the driving school (I was lucky enough that they were licensed by the DMV to offer this - made it a lot more relaxing to have your test with an instructor you already knew, instead of some grumpy DMV person ). It was super-easy and took only about 7-8 minutes. I think with the driving school and DMV fees, I paid about 400 dollars for everything. Much easier and cheaper than in Germany.

Since you have obviously already had some driving lessons in Germany, you will probably not need a driving school or anything. You will only have to pass the written test and get your Learner Permit and then, when ready, take the practice test.

Good luck!!

Edited December 2, 2015 by HK12

[FabtheFab 67]

Hi HK12,

Do you know if Oklahoma accepts international licenses or I would still need to take a test? I'm moving there in a few weeks. I have been driving for some 15 years now and never had an accident (but somehow I feel a bit insecure about doing a parallel parking test all over again... )

Thank you!

[DJ6372 111]

Passed the written test without reading any manuals, just a multi choice set of questions on a PC

Honestly if you've been driving most of the answers are obvious (I've been driving 30 years)

Driving test this afternoon in Santa Monica will update

BTW it cost $33 at DMV

Edited December 2, 2015 by DJ6372

[IcezMan_IcezLady 582]

Hi HK12,

Do you know if Oklahoma accepts international licenses or I would still need to take a test? I'm moving there in a few weeks. I have been driving for some 15 years now and never had an accident (but somehow I feel a bit insecure about doing a parallel parking test all over again... )

Thank you!

You are better of getting a driver's license from the US. Most place accept driver's license as the proof of ID whether to buy alcohol or writing a check to pay for services.

Take the test to save yourself the hassle.