Quickly Driving in the US

[Boyd_M 23]

Anyone have experience being able to drive when coming to the US.  In my state as long as you have valid Drivers lic and international permit, you can drive.  The problem is how can I obtain liability insurance for my fiancé?  My insurance company says I cannot add her until she has a valid driver's license, which maybe we can obtain the first day or two, but I am not sure.  Just wondering if anyone has been able to accomplish this.  I don't want her having to stay home all day while I am at work if it takes more than a few days to get the license.

[Becci391 339]

She might has to wait for her EAD until she can get a US-license. I couldn't get my Georgia license until I got my EAD.

Go to your local DMV website to see the requirements for non US-citizens.

[Crazy Cat 39,151]

It might be difficult to find a company wiling to insure someone who does not have a valid license, but Google says it is possible....I would expect rates to be sky high.....

[Boiler 43,381]

I think CO allows 60 days for new Resident, Insurance was not a problem, was with State Farm.

 

See how long your State allows for new residents.

[Marzena & Stephen 544]

I was able to get my license as soon as I got my social security card 

I showed them my social security card which you can get immediately (except have to wait for it in the mail)

I also had to give them my i94

And show them my Canadian license.

I only had to take the written exam (in illinois)

Some states require the driving depends on the state. 

I passed the exam and my drivers license came in the mail shortly after.

However it expired when my i94 expired.

So I have to wait on my ead now go extend it.

Every state is different with their expiry.

 

 

[Londonergirl 133]

I got my drivers license here without EAD or GC. But DMV had to approve all my documents beforehand and I also had to have an SSN. This was my first ever license. I think its valid for 4 years.

Edited March 28, 2018 by Londonergirl

[SB5130 88]

19 minutes ago, Marzena & Stephen said:

I was able to get my license as soon as I got my social security card 

I showed them my social security card which you can get immediately (except have to wait for it in the mail)

I also had to give them my i94

And show them my Canadian license.

I only had to take the written exam (in illinois)

Some states require the driving depends on the state. 

I passed the exam and my drivers license came in the mail shortly after.

However it expired when my i94 expired.

So I have to wait on my ead now go extend it.

Every state is different with their expiry.

 

 

 

7 minutes ago, Londonergirl said:

I got my drivers license here without EAD or GC. But DMV had to approve all my documents beforehand and I also had to have an SSN. This was my first ever license. I think its valid for 4 years.

 

I think it will be different for PH Driver's License Holder. Canada and UK have DL reciprocity agreement with US. 

In most states, DPS doesnt acknowledge a valid PH DL and doesn't automatically convert it without passing a road test. 

 

I got a PH DL when I first arrived here. I had to take both written and road test before I got my Driver's License. I got my Driver's License after getting my EAD. 

 

OP, I understand your concerns. Is your fiancee ready to drive here in U.S.? I am from PH too and even though I know how to drive in PH, I find it really different here and took a while for me to adjust. If this is her first time driving here in US, she may take a while to adjust. Probably, she'll have her EAD first before she can adjust to driving here. 

[Marzena & Stephen 544]

7 minutes ago, SB5130 said:

 

 

I think it will be different for PH Driver's License Holder. Canada and UK have DL reciprocity agreement with US. 

In most states, DPS doesnt acknowledge a valid PH DL and doesn't automatically convert it without passing a road test. 

 

I got a PH DL when I first arrived here. I had to take both written and road test before I got my Driver's License. I got my Driver's License after getting my EAD. 

 

OP, I understand your concerns. Is your fiancee ready to drive here in U.S.? I am from PH too and even though I know how to drive in PH, I find it really different here and took a while for me to adjust. If this is her first time driving here in US, she may take a while to adjust. Probably, she'll have her EAD first before she can adjust to driving here. 

I agree with having to take the driven exam. And adjusting

[OldBritAbroad 15]

26 minutes ago, SB5130 said:

...Canada and UK have DL reciprocity agreement with US...

 

I think this is true only if you are visiting and using your existing DL to e.g. rent a car. If you are looking to obtain a State DL, then there is no reciprocity and you must pass whatever driving exam is required by your State. Here in Oregon, the DMV would not accept my UK DL (which I have had for over 44 years) and I had to pass both the written and practical exam before they would grant me one.

 

That said, my wife’s ex-husband was given an Arizona DL back in 2002 simply on the strength of his Egyptian one - don’t know if that still holds true, though, and given the state of his driving I most certainly hope not!

[Boiler 43,381]

Canadians often have advantages, depends on the State.

[Boyd_M 23]

Well i have verified that she can legally drive with a PH Drivers lic plus international permit.  It is the liability insurance that I am concerned about, until she can get her DL in my state.  She can take written and driving test with no wait, with the International permit.  I am wondering if a personal liability policy like on a travel insurance policy would be sufficient for that?

[Boiler 43,381]

She needs Auto Insurance.

[SusieQQQ 11,584]

We are in California and geico gave us car insurance even while we still had our foreign licenses. When we got our California licenses we just updated the insurance details. Not a problem at all.

 

I’m sure travel policies don’t cover you once you have become a resident.

Edited March 29, 2018 by SusieQQQ

[SB5130 88]

18 minutes ago, OldBritAbroad said:

I think this is true only if you are visiting and using your existing DL to e.g. rent a car. If you are looking to obtain a State DL, then there is no reciprocity and you must pass whatever driving exam is required by your State. Here in Oregon, the DMV would not accept my UK DL (which I have had for over 44 years) and I had to pass both the written and practical exam before they would grant me one.

 

That said, my wife’s ex-husband was given an Arizona DL back in 2002 simply on the strength of his Egyptian one - don’t know if that still holds true, though, and given the state of his driving I most certainly hope not!

I said most. DPS requirements vary from state to state. Here in Texas, certain countries are waived from taking the driving test. 

 

"Applicants who have a valid, unexpired learner license from another U.S. state or U.S. territory, or Canada, France, South Korea, Germany or Taiwan and are applying for a Texas learner license, do not have to take the knowledge exam. If applying for a Texas driver license, these individuals must Complete the Impact Texas Driver course; and pass the skills exam.

Applicants who have a driver license from any country other than the U.S., Canada, France, South Korea, Germany or Taiwan must take and pass both the knowledge and skills exams. Select the following link for a complete list of requirements and more information on how to apply for a Texas driver license."

 

https://www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/movingtotexas.htm

[yuna628 9,527]

In general, insurance follows the car and not the driver. If the vehicle is insured, then any accidents had in the vehicle while she is driving and if she is at fault - falls on your insurance, regardless of if she has a personal plan or not. There may be some exceptions to the rule. The liability falls upon your plan, but how much liability is the question. You'll need to check the specifics of that plan and especially the exclusions. If she has obtained a US license and you have either given her permission to drive your vehicle (check with your insurer first) or you are required to add her to the insurance as a 'covered driver'. I'd think it'd be pretty difficult for her to obtain insurance until she has DMV documentation and not just her foreign license. Travel insurance won't cut it.

 

https://dcameragroup.com/does-automobile-insurance-follow-the-car-or-the-driver/

https://www.esurance.com/info/car/car-insurance-follows-the-driver-myth

 

 

Edited March 29, 2018 by yuna628