Drivers License

[Natandaustin 1]

I have tried to do an internet search for this but I am getting a little lost in information, so hoping you guys can help from experience!

I will be moving to Florida with my fiance, and I am trying to work out how I can go about driving over there.

I have heard I can drive on my UK license for up to a year after entry into the country, is this correct?

Also, what do I to get an American license - is it a simple exchange by showing them I passed in the UK and they grant a USA one, or do I have to go through another drivers test?

Im sorry if these have really obvious answers but I'm just getting a tad lost!

[kris&me 572]

every state is different but Florida and my state allow 1 year on foreign license

will have to take written test to apply for learner's permit

and then road test

no getting around this

most states allow the US citizen to just take the written test for your finacee

[nobbie 105]

Varies by state, go on the Florida DMV web site. Here, Maryland, I had to do a 3 hour drug and alcohol course which was more annoying given the attitude of many to drink driving here, Then a written test, very easy and a road test, absolute doddle. If you've done a UK test you will have no trouble passing here.

[SM & EF 41]

I'm in FL and while I'm not sure how long you can drive on another country's license you can Google "florida acceptable document table" to see the pdf that explains what docs are needed for immigrants to get a license.

Good luck!

[Boiler 43,441]

No state allows a new resident as year, Go to the DMV site and see how long a new resident has to get a Florida license.

Bear in mind they drive on the wrong side of the road and apparently the driving standards in Florida is something to be seen.

[DJ6372 111]

UK license can be used in the USA for up to a year, but you will have to take a written and driving test for your local State, your Brit licence can not be swapped one for one

The official line for Brits is you have 30-60 days to gain a US DL, go to DMV and register for your learners permit, take your test happy days

If you have an accident and you haven't even made an effort to start the process you may be in the dogs doo doo

I drove rentals on my UK licence, but took my test here asap, it is sooooooooooooo easy!!

Edited December 22, 2015 by DJ6372

[Boiler 43,441]

UK license can be used in the USA for up to a year,

Horribly wrong

[DJ6372 111]

Horribly wrong

Explain horribly wrong

[DJ6372 111]

@Boiler I admit you are right!, I knew what I meant

@OP Ignore my advice other than get your FL DL asap, its still easy lol

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

I have tried to do an internet search for this but I am getting a little lost in information, so hoping you guys can help from experience!

I will be moving to Florida with my fiance, and I am trying to work out how I can go about driving over there.

I have heard I can drive on my UK license for up to a year after entry into the country, is this correct?

Also, what do I to get an American license - is it a simple exchange by showing them I passed in the UK and they grant a USA one, or do I have to go through another drivers test?

Im sorry if these have really obvious answers but I'm just getting a tad lost!

I found this:

When must a driver get a Florida driver license?

You must get a Florida license within 30 days of becoming a resident. You are considered a resident of Florida if you:

1. Enroll your children in public school, or

2. Register to vote, or

3. File for a homestead exemption, or

4. Accept employment, or

5. Reside in Florida for more than six consecutive months.

Source: http://www.flhsmv.gov/FLVisitorsFAQs.htm

The documents you need http://www.gathergoget.com

As a non-immigrant you would need EAD. There is wording that you can use your unexpired I-94 if it has more than 30 days remaining on it. So theoretically you could maybe get a license good until your 90 days is up, but you would first need to get your SSN. And yes you take the tests vision, written, and driving.

[scotinmass 588]

You can use your UK license for up to a year if you are a visitor. It is different if you are a resident. In my state Massachusetts from the day you become a resident you need a Massachusetts license.

[Kat&Jon 84]

As a Florida resident for half of my life, I can confirm that what Nich-Nick posted is 100% correct when dealing with Florida.

I haven't filed for Jon yet but when I was just there to renew my registration I asked this very question so that I knew the answer when we got to this point.

For clarification (which seems to have been provided already) you can use your UK license to drive in the US for UP to a year if you are visiting for that long. As provided above in the state of Florida you have 30 days from when you establish residency to file for your Driver's License. In Florida they clarified for me that this would be once you are approved with your EAD. Your I-94 would work but the Supervisor I asked at my local DMV said it is best to just wait and drive as a visitor until you have your EAD since that is the legal document proving you legally reside/work within the country and it will save you a few bucks for not doing it twice so close together. They told me this because the I-94 proves you entered legally but does not prove you are actually going to stay (hence the getting married to legally stay) it is best to just wait. (Hurray for knowledgeable DMV people!)

As Nich- Nick said, you will have to take the written, driving, and vision test. The vision test is super simple though! I had to take it recently since I had Lasik done to remove the fact that I need corrective lenses on my license! Not to mention it will be easier to get your license once you have your EAD because in Florida the list of documents you need is substantial and with your EAD you have proof of your address in the letter they send to you with it inside!

Let me know if you need further clarification! I live really close to my DMV and the same person I asked before told me that they would be happy to answer anymore questions for me!

Edit: Sorry I posted on this so late! Work has been crazier than usual so I hope this information was still helpful!

Edited December 29, 2015 by Kat&Jon

[ChasUno 101]

Kat&Jon (and NichNick), thanks so much for confirming the FL requirements. I was a bit anxious reading some of the above as I thought I had previously read that you couldn't even apply for a US drivers licence until the EAD card was approved/ issued. That's what I was going by, so it's a relief to read that it was indeed correct. My EAD/ AP should be arriving sometime in January, so my plan was to brush up on the FL DMV website/ drivers manual once into the New Year, get up to speed, and then start the application process once my EAD card arrives. I've been driving my partner's car on my UK licence, which his insurance is also well aware of that fact (they even have a copy of my UK licence on file.)

Oh yes, and I can confirm that the driving "standards" in Florida are absolutely abysmal. I think only Third World countries have worse standards of driving. If you've ever watched an old Keystone Cops movie with cars crashing left right and centre, that's not far off what it's like down here...

As a Florida resident for half of my life, I can confirm that what Nich-Nick posted is 100% correct when dealing with Florida.

I haven't filed for Jon yet but when I was just there to renew my registration I asked this very question so that I knew the answer when we got to this point.

For clarification (which seems to have been provided already) you can use your UK license to drive in the US for UP to a year if you are visiting for that long. As provided above in the state of Florida you have 30 days from when you establish residency to file for your Driver's License. In Florida they clarified for me that this would be once you are approved with your EAD. Your I-94 would work but the Supervisor I asked at my local DMV said it is best to just wait and drive as a visitor until you have your EAD since that is the legal document proving you legally reside/work within the country and it will save you a few bucks for not doing it twice so close together. They told me this because the I-94 proves you entered legally but does not prove you are actually going to stay (hence the getting married to legally stay) it is best to just wait. (Hurray for knowledgeable DMV people!)

As Nich- Nick said, you will have to take the written, driving, and vision test. The vision test is super simple though! I had to take it recently since I had Lasik done to remove the fact that I need corrective lenses on my license! Not to mention it will be easier to get your license once you have your EAD because in Florida the list of documents you need is substantial and with your EAD you have proof of your address in the letter they send to you with it inside!

Let me know if you need further clarification! I live really close to my DMV and the same person I asked before told me that they would be happy to answer anymore questions for me!

Edit: Sorry I posted on this so late! Work has been crazier than usual so I hope this information was still helpful!

Edited December 31, 2015 by ChasUno

[DaveNot 55]

http://www.dmv.org/international-driver-permits.php

According to the insurance company and state police it's valid for up to one year in Virginia. Please check the state you're in if it applies. Some states may not even recognize your IDP or licence. The written test and the driving test are ridiculously easy. Drive around the block 2 minutes and a bunch of common sense questions. Seriously, just get a licence if you can. State ID is a valuble asset. Some stores didn't even want to accept my passport (which is wrong), but it tells you the mentality for a minority of people...

Edited January 12, 2016 by DaveNot

[DJ6372 111]

http://www.dmv.org/international-driver-permits.php

According to the insurance company and state police it's valid for up to one year in Virginia. Please check the state you're in if it applies. Some states may not even recognize your IDP or licence. The written test and the driving test are ridiculously easy. Drive around the block 2 minutes and a bunch of common sense questions. Seriously, just get a licence if you can. State ID is a valuble asset. Some stores didn't even want to accept my passport (which is wrong), but it tells you the mentality for a minority of people...

Completely agree

personally I think IDP is a waste of money, its basicaly a translation, you UK licence is in english so why get an IDP?

As for State licence, as you said so easy to pass and works as your ID

UK licence may be valid, but not all cops know what it is!!

My fear is insurance companies would go into unhelpful mode if you did have an accident and didn't have a local DL

Edited January 12, 2016 by DJ6372