advice renting and driving from NJ to PA with UK Liscense

[poochie909 0]

I am a permanent resident from the UK (entered on Sept 14th 08) who needs to rent a car to drive from New Jersey to Philadelphia PA.

I inquired at the rental place about driving with a UK license and they didn't seem to think there would be any problem.

Does anyone have any experience renting and driving in NJ & PA with a UK license and whether there would be a problem with insurance or being pulled over?

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

I am a permanent resident from the UK (entered on Sept 14th 08) who needs to rent a car to drive from New Jersey to Philadelphia PA.

I inquired at the rental place about driving with a UK license and they didn't seem to think there would be any problem.

Does anyone have any experience renting and driving in NJ & PA with a UK license and whether there would be a problem with insurance or being pulled over?

previous comment deleted...

Edited October 8, 2009 by lancer1655

[TBoneTX 45,273]

That's good that the rental-car company foresaw no problems.

Your USC spouse should call his/her car-insurance company to inquire about coverages for you. Likely, if you don't yet have a state driver's license, you're not on your spouse's policy, especially in a rental car... but ask.

If you are not on your spouse's policy, consider purchasing all of the optional (and rather expensive) coverages that the car-rental company will offer you. Expensive insurance is far better than none, si man!

Edit: Regarding being pulled over, carry the most up-to-date immigration paper that you have -- Welcome Letter, if you don't have the green card.

Edited October 8, 2009 by TBoneTX

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

It should be fine as long as your home state (NJ?) recognizes your UK license as valid. Are you going to use your personal insurance or buy theirs?

[poochie909 0]

Thanks for the replys guys.

My wife doesnt drive so no insurance there. I think NJ/PA recognizes the UK license but not sure if there's a problem because Ive been here for over a year.

My insurance from home has expired so I guess I'll get the most comprehensive insurance policy the rental place offers and just be reeeally really careful out there.

I have my green card and EAD that I usually take with me so that should be good ID

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

The over 1 year could be a problem you might check with NJ dmv to be safe, I think they may have a 60 day requirement to get a license as a state resident. I didn't see a foreign license rule but that doesn't mean there isn't one. I missed PA's 1 year clause yesterday.

[familyguy 2]

Thanks for the replys guys.

My wife doesnt drive so no insurance there. I think NJ/PA recognizes the UK license but not sure if there's a problem because Ive been here for over a year.

My insurance from home has expired so I guess I'll get the most comprehensive insurance policy the rental place offers and just be reeeally really careful out there.

I have my green card and EAD that I usually take with me so that should be good ID

The legal position is that you should have a NJ licence. Does the rental company know you are resident here and NOT a visitor?

The practical position is that if you are pulled over and give a UK address and show your UK license and passport then you are unlikely to encounter any problems, providing of course the rental agreement shows the address on your UK licence as your residence. You may even escape a ticket as a courtesy to a "confused tourist" I have known it happen.

If however you have the misfortune to be involved in an accident there is a possibility that the Insurance cover may be revoked, But hey what is a little bankruptcy between friends?

http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Licenses/LicensesNon-Citizens.htm

Edited October 8, 2009 by familyguy

[poochie909 0]

The legal position is that you should have a NJ licence. Does the rental company know you are resident here and NOT a visitor?

The practical position is that if you are pulled over and give a UK address and show your UK license and passport then you are unlikely to encounter any problems, providing of course the rental agreement shows the address on your UK licence as your residence. You may even escape a ticket as a courtesy to a "confused tourist" I have known it happen.

If however you have the misfortune to be involved in an accident there is a possibility that the Insurance cover may be revoked, But hey what is a little bankruptcy between friends?

http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Licenses/LicensesNon-Citizens.htm

That's exactly what I'm worried about.

I didn't go into much detail with the rental people about my residency. I guess it was assumed that I am a tourist and I could see them trying to F me over any insurance claim.

I was hoping I could be honest and use my NJ address and rely on their insurance if anything happened. Don't like the idea of being pulled over since here over a year and have been NJ resident since mid June

[Anh map 2,098]

What type of insurance coverage does your credit card offer when renting a vehicle? Some will do that.

If not, then it's a gamble to go without insurance.

Best of luck. Drive defensively.

[poochie909 0]

What type of insurance coverage does your credit card offer when renting a vehicle? Some will do that.

If not, then it's a gamble to go without insurance.

Best of luck. Drive defensively.

called the card company..they offer no vehicle insurance

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Then if you can I'd get a NJ license as soon as possible before the trip. It won't be hard...most driving tests here are dangerously simple compared to what your used to in the UK. (assuming you even need to take the test in NJ....)

Edited October 9, 2009 by lancer1655

[poochie909 0]

Then if you can I'd get a NJ license as soon as possible before the trip. It won't be hard...most driving tests here are dangerously simple compared to what your used to in the UK. (assuming you even need to take the test in NJ....)

Yea im screwed... Its on Saturday. A friend had promised to drive but he has an emergency.

Do you think they will really ask how long Ive been a resident in NJ when applying for a license? I know I updated my address with USCIS in mid July but would the NJ DMV be able to check that (or care)?

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

They'll probably ask but won't verify so if you were to lie they wouldn't be able to check, at least thats how it was in California last year for me when I finally switched my stuff over.

[justashooter 430]

pennsylvania accepts a foreign liscense for the first year of residency, or until it's expiration. i can't say what they'd do with an out of stater, other than ticket to the maximum. pennsylvania troopers are serious about excessive speed on highways, and about reduced speed in construction zones. they require headlights in daytime if you have wipers turned on. they ticket people who hang in the left lane. they also get miffed if they have someone on the side of the road and you whiz by in the right lane. state law requires you to shift to left if at all possible when passing a traffic stop.

remember to drive on the right side of the road.

[hudons 0]

This confused me as well.

They say that you are allowed to drive in the US for 60 days on your UK license, to allow for tourists etc. (at least in NH). If your GC was issued in the last 60 days then I guess you're fine. I've been pulled over a few times on my J1 after being the US for 6 months and I just explain a lot and they let me off because they're confused. One problem is you can get a ticket up here for not updating your license address after being resident in the state for 60 days, even if you're a USC. I guess all states are different. Check out the DV website of the states you're travelling through.

It's probably a good idea to suck it up and go to the DMV for your NJ license. I got mine in NH and it was cheap and easy, nothing like in the UK.

$35 for a license in NH, including testing. I also find it helps when getting ID'd for anything to have a US license.

The only problem is the DMV. They had 4 lines for everyone else and 1 line for non-US citizens. I waited for 3 hours. And they issued me a license on my J1 visa. You only need proof of address/residency. There's not a certain amount of time you have to have been resident as they expect everyone to apply within 60 days of living in the state!

Good luck mate....

Congrats on the Green Card!!

Edited October 11, 2009 by hudons