Drivers liscence question

[Meg and Grae 1]

Hey guys,

I understand that I wont be able to get a US drivers license until I get my AOS.I have a New Zealand drivers license.Can I drive in the US on that when I arrive or do I need a international drivers license?..

Cheers!.

Grae.

[govols 0]

I think you will find it is different for each state but in TN I was able to get a Certificate for Driving which has now change to a temporary drivers license. I was able to get this with my EAD but you can use your I94,passport or visa or other proof of residency. Here is the link for TN.

http://tennessee.gov/safety/driverlicense/...esentation1.pdf

Tony

[AUBGER 0]

yeah..there was another thread yesterday about that. FL issues temporary DL with NOA and passport too....From what I understand...Maine just issues it ( I love my state)...you should check yours...

As for New Zealand license...well...i never really heard of anybody foreign driving with just a foreign license but I do know that people drive with international DL's issued by the country.

[Lansbury 19]

Hey guys,

I understand that I wont be able to get a US drivers license until I get my AOS.I have a New Zealand drivers license.Can I drive in the US on that when I arrive or do I need a international drivers license?..

Cheers!.

Grae.

There will be an agreement between NZ and the USA has to how long a driving licence from each is valid in the other. The normal practice is for it to be 12 months. However the various State DMVs seem to not abide by these agreements and set there own time limit.

Oregon DMV did follow the normal practice and I could have used my UK licence for 12 months, I did in fact drive with it for 3 months before I took my US test.

An International Drivers Licence is just a means of translating your NZ licence to be understandable by police officers etc in other countries. If the USA required you to have one the rule would say for example my drive on a NZ licence for 12 months with a IDL. As your licence is in English I would guess like a UK licence it is acceptable in the US on its own. AN IDL is not valid as a driving licence on its own and must be accompanied by a driving licence issued by a licensing authority in your own country. Look up the requirement the US has for visitors from NZ to drive in the US, you have the same driving privileges as a visitor would for the length of time your State DMV allow.

[kelzm 0]

Hi Grae,

As the NZ drivers license is in English there's no need to get an international drivers license. Theoretically we are able to drive in the USA with our licenses for 12 months, but each state has their own restrictions that apply.

As a tourist I have hired rental vehicles and driven with my NZ license and it has not been a problem. However, you may want to check what the particular rules are for the state you are moving to as they will have a bearing on your situation.

[athena_ny 1]

Hi Grae,

As the NZ drivers license is in English there's no need to get an international drivers license. Theoretically we are able to drive in the USA with our licenses for 12 months, but each state has their own restrictions that apply.

As a tourist I have hired rental vehicles and driven with my NZ license and it has not been a problem. However, you may want to check what the particular rules are for the state you are moving to as they will have a bearing on your situation.

There's a poster who had a possible DUI in CA and was told since he was immigrating and would technically be a state resident, he couldn't drive on his British DL or some such like that. Just be careful.