Buying a car in NY

[MrVelox]

HDM said:

Craig, Mr Velox,

A little off topic, but I'd like to pick your brains, is there an easy way of converting a UK drivers licence to a NY one? As far as I know (and as you've confirmed), you have to do the theory test, and then spend the 8 hours trundling around with the 16 year olds in the drivers ed car, is there any form of short cut to this?

Thanks

Sorry I didn't see this sooner!

According to the DMV's website, unless you are from Canada you have to do the theory test (Easy) and then get 5 hours instruction from a licensed school. They also apparently seize your UK License and destroy it when they issue a NY one.

Your UK license is good for at least a year here. Should you get stopped say you are over just on business or something, it's not a ticket you are likely to get.

[jeff m]

MrVelox said:

They also apparently seize your UK License and destroy it when they issue a NY one.

Is this a new thing, or just NY?

In NJ I just did the theory, very simple questions, multiple choice.
The NJ DMV chose a third word lic over the British one because it had a picture. (I had a few to choose from)

MrVelox said:

Your UK license is good for at least a year here.

Not every cop knows that, be prepared to sit in your car for 30 minutes while he calls his Commander

[HDM]

Mr Velox, thanks for the info, its the 5 hour driving bit I'm trying to avoid, you'd think there should be a market for some form of fast track programme if you're just transferring, not learning from scratch, although I have to observe that based on the standard of driving over here, some people must have figured out a way to avoid the 5 hour course! I was recently back in the and the standard and courtesy of driving is so much better. (in my opinion of course!)

[GreigM]

MrVelox said:

They also apparently seize your UK License and destroy it when they issue a NY one.

Although while they can do anything they like to the physical license, it doesn't invalidate it in the UK, so just give em a "spare"

Surprised if they would follow through on attempting to seize your foreign license as they have no real jurisdiction to do so...

[MrVelox]

jeff m said:

MrVelox said:

They also apparently seize your UK License and destroy it when they issue a NY one.

Is this a new thing, or just NY?

In NJ I just did the theory, very simple questions, multiple choice.
The NJ DMV chose a third word lic over the British one because it had a picture. (I had a few to choose from)

MrVelox said:

Your UK license is good for at least a year here.

Not every cop knows that, be prepared to sit in your car for 30 minutes while he calls his Commander

It's customary over here that when you change license states that you turn in your old license. Some states won't issue you your new license until you hand in your old one (And they can check to see if you have an out of state one).

As you know, licenses in the US are issued by states, not by the Federal Government (Unlike the UK) and it's also illegal to be licensed in more than 1 state at the same time, hence they take your old license. Rule came about as people used to hold multiple licenses and "Spread out" penalty points and disqualifications.