US driving licence
Discussion
Anyone got one while on holiday over there, and if so how quickly can you do it?
I did read some years ago in Motor sport ( IIRC) that this happened to a bunch of mechanics from Team Lotus who left their British ones behind, and got a US one the same day.
But that was back in the 60/70's
I did read some years ago in Motor sport ( IIRC) that this happened to a bunch of mechanics from Team Lotus who left their British ones behind, and got a US one the same day.
But that was back in the 60/70's
Dad is a green carded migrant there (Texas). He got his in 1 day, apparently it was a piece of piss, similar format to the 'old' test here where you sit down behind the wheel and are asked a few theory questions before and during your drive. Then an hours drive on various different road types in some automatic barge.
He said the only thing that stumped him was the different style of road signage which took a little bit to get used too, and the American right of way at a 4 way junction is a bit odd.
He said the only thing that stumped him was the different style of road signage which took a little bit to get used too, and the American right of way at a 4 way junction is a bit odd.
License 
(just to annoy all the idiot pedants who type that when it is done the other way)
Were you thinking of any state in particular?
Like lots of stuff here, it is entirely dependent on state, and some states are stricter than others.
Some you can get same day, others come by mail, and some states waive the practical test if you produce a valid UK licence (+ from some other countries) and you just have to do the knowledge test, which consists of multiple choice on a computer.
Some are very strict on proof of residence and want stuff like bank statements/bills with an address, others don't need it and they mail it to the address you give.
This is of course assuming you have a visa that will allow you a license in the first place. All states verify your immigration status before issuing, and if you are simply here on the VWP (ie, ESTA) then as far as I am aware you aren't eligible.
As a random example, here is the document eligibility checker for NJ http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/pdf/Licenses/ident_ver_...
and for NY https://dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/prove-identity-a...
(just to annoy all the idiot pedants who type that when it is done the other way)
Were you thinking of any state in particular?
Like lots of stuff here, it is entirely dependent on state, and some states are stricter than others.
Some you can get same day, others come by mail, and some states waive the practical test if you produce a valid UK licence (+ from some other countries) and you just have to do the knowledge test, which consists of multiple choice on a computer.
Some are very strict on proof of residence and want stuff like bank statements/bills with an address, others don't need it and they mail it to the address you give.
This is of course assuming you have a visa that will allow you a license in the first place. All states verify your immigration status before issuing, and if you are simply here on the VWP (ie, ESTA) then as far as I am aware you aren't eligible.
As a random example, here is the document eligibility checker for NJ http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/pdf/Licenses/ident_ver_...
and for NY https://dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/prove-identity-a...
Edited by GCH on Tuesday 25th April 20:33
Florida is easy. You don't need to be resident here just have an address (however with an item of mail you can generally self certify). Tests (written and practical) are easy. Just need to be able to access your latest I94 on the website which is usually pretty quick after arriving, however could take up to a few days depending.
Brit living in Florida here. I renewed my license 2 weeks ago so well versed.
The biggest issue is your I94, the DMV will only issue a license to the expiry date listed on there. I know this as my driving license recently expired whilst my new work visa was being approved and I had to Uber everywhere.
This is a Florida website that will tell you what documents you need to be issued a license:
http://www.gathergoget.com/
Usual things like 2 x proof of address but also a SSN (like our National Ins number) It would seem that if you do not have a SSN in Florida you cannot get a license without other supporting documentation and most of it seems pretty tricky to get unless you live here....
Happy to be proven completely wrong. I have had 3 Florida driving licenses but being a Visa holder I have different qualifying criteria.
If you do manage to pull the paperwork together the test itself is truly bonkers. 15 minutes around a car park, turn at an imaginary junction, I had to reverse and do an emergency stop. I never exceeded 20mph.
The biggest issue is your I94, the DMV will only issue a license to the expiry date listed on there. I know this as my driving license recently expired whilst my new work visa was being approved and I had to Uber everywhere.
This is a Florida website that will tell you what documents you need to be issued a license:
http://www.gathergoget.com/
Usual things like 2 x proof of address but also a SSN (like our National Ins number) It would seem that if you do not have a SSN in Florida you cannot get a license without other supporting documentation and most of it seems pretty tricky to get unless you live here....
Happy to be proven completely wrong. I have had 3 Florida driving licenses but being a Visa holder I have different qualifying criteria.
If you do manage to pull the paperwork together the test itself is truly bonkers. 15 minutes around a car park, turn at an imaginary junction, I had to reverse and do an emergency stop. I never exceeded 20mph.
As others have already stated, you cannot be issued with a US drivers license without residency credentials - meaning a current I-94, a green card or proof of US citizenship.
The whole premise being to make it more difficult for the undocumented to 'document' themselves.
The result being that most illegal immigrants drive here without a license (or insurance), which is one more reason why our insurance premiums are so bloody ridiculous.
The whole premise being to make it more difficult for the undocumented to 'document' themselves.
The result being that most illegal immigrants drive here without a license (or insurance), which is one more reason why our insurance premiums are so bloody ridiculous.
Matt Harper said:
As others have already stated, you cannot be issued with a US drivers license without residency credentials - meaning a current I-94, a green card or proof of US citizenship.
The whole premise being to make it more difficult for the undocumented to 'document' themselves.
The result being that most illegal immigrants drive here without a license (or insurance), which is one more reason why our insurance premiums are so bloody ridiculous.
I'm afraid that's not correct, at least not here in Florida - I know at least 10 or 12 UK people here who have 'Temporary' Florida driving licenses that expire when their right to stay in the US ends (i.e. 90 days after arrival if on VWP).The whole premise being to make it more difficult for the undocumented to 'document' themselves.
The result being that most illegal immigrants drive here without a license (or insurance), which is one more reason why our insurance premiums are so bloody ridiculous.
Hell, I don't have a green card or US Citizenship and I have a Florida driving license!
The Moose said:
I know at least 10 or 12 UK people here who have 'Temporary' Florida driving licenses that expire when their right to stay in the US ends (i.e. 90 days after arrival if on VWP).
Why not just drive there on your UK license in that situation?Regardless, I'e done it twice in the USA - once for Nevada; again for Louisiana. Both times full proof of residency was required - actual driving test was very easy but for both the theory part required learning lots of largely pointless facts and numbers....
The Moose said:
I'm afraid that's not correct, at least not here in Florida - I know at least 10 or 12 UK people here who have 'Temporary' Florida driving licenses that expire when their right to stay in the US ends (i.e. 90 days after arrival if on VWP).
Hell, I don't have a green card or US Citizenship and I have a Florida driving license!
I did get a temp license but only for 30 days at which point I had to get a proper one. My circumstances are different maybe due to the fact I am on a work visa.Hell, I don't have a green card or US Citizenship and I have a Florida driving license!
Anglade said:
The Moose said:
I know at least 10 or 12 UK people here who have 'Temporary' Florida driving licenses that expire when their right to stay in the US ends (i.e. 90 days after arrival if on VWP).
Why not just drive there on your UK license in that situation?Regardless, I'e done it twice in the USA - once for Nevada; again for Louisiana. Both times full proof of residency was required - actual driving test was very easy but for both the theory part required learning lots of largely pointless facts and numbers....
Anglade said:
Why not just drive there on your UK license in that situation?
Regardless, I'e done it twice in the USA - once for Nevada; again for Louisiana. Both times full proof of residency was required - actual driving test was very easy but for both the theory part required learning lots of largely pointless facts and numbers....
A lot of states have a requirement that if you are resident in state for more than 30 days you need a state issued license.Regardless, I'e done it twice in the USA - once for Nevada; again for Louisiana. Both times full proof of residency was required - actual driving test was very easy but for both the theory part required learning lots of largely pointless facts and numbers....
katz said:
A lot of states have a requirement that if you are resident in state for more than 30 days you need a state issued license.
Yes, but the definition of 'resident' does not (in most cases) just mean sleeping within the state for those 30 days - that does not make you a resident.Edited by GCH on Wednesday 26th April 22:02
The Moose said:
I'm afraid that's not correct, at least not here in Florida - I know at least 10 or 12 UK people here who have 'Temporary' Florida driving licenses that expire when their right to stay in the US ends (i.e. 90 days after arrival if on VWP).
Hell, I don't have a green card or US Citizenship and I have a Florida driving license!
I don't think you read my post properly - the valid I-94 bit....Hell, I don't have a green card or US Citizenship and I have a Florida driving license!
This is a gov't issued list of required documentation:
http://www.gathergoget.com/checklist/checklist.asp...
Matt Harper said:
The Moose said:
I'm afraid that's not correct, at least not here in Florida - I know at least 10 or 12 UK people here who have 'Temporary' Florida driving licenses that expire when their right to stay in the US ends (i.e. 90 days after arrival if on VWP).
Hell, I don't have a green card or US Citizenship and I have a Florida driving license!
I don't think you read my post properly - the valid I-94 bit....Hell, I don't have a green card or US Citizenship and I have a Florida driving license!
This is a gov't issued list of required documentation:
http://www.gathergoget.com/checklist/checklist.asp...
My bad - we agree
GCH said:
katz said:
A lot of states have a requirement that if you are resident in state for more than 30 days you need a state issued license.
Yes, but the definition of 'resident' does not (in most cases) just mean sleeping within the state for those 30 days - that does not make you a resident.Edited by GCH on Wednesday 26th April 22:02
t illegals here that drive with no license or insurance. Typically in California.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff