DMV in NYC

[Dr_LHA 3]

Yes they will take your foreign license. At least they are supposed to. It's against the law to posess more than one driver's license.

Has this actually happened to anyone? I've never heard this and everyone I know still has their home country license, and would be livid if the DMV took it off them (they have no right to take someone's foriegn license). I didn't think there is a law against possessing two licenses, only against possessing two license from different states in the US. Nothing wrong with having a PA license and a UK license for example.

I may be wrong however... annoying if true. I wouldn't want to give up my UK license (and haven't).

Edited July 25, 2006 by dr_lha

[Marilyn. 340]

well, here in California it says in the handbook that they will take your license ...

when I got my Cali license, she asked for my Canadian license and I handed it over... she looked at it and typed something in her computer and handed it back to me.... I was suprised and said something to the effect that wasn't I supposed to turn it over to the DMV and she said no, I could keep it

[JubJub 0]

Yes they will take your foreign license. At least they are supposed to. It's against the law to posess more than one driver's license.

Has this actually happened to anyone? I've never heard this and everyone I know still has their home country license, and would be livid if the DMV took it off them (they have no right to take someone's foriegn license). I didn't think there is a law against possessing two licenses, only against possessing two license from different states in the US. Nothing wrong with having a PA license and a UK license for example.

I may be wrong however... annoying if true. I wouldn't want to give up my UK license (and haven't).

It happened to me in NY State. It's common sense for the DMV, say you get busted for DUI and they suspend/revoke your US license. There's nothing to then stop you driving around with your foreign license. Whether this procedure is followed in other states I don't know.

"When you receive your NYS driver license, you must surrender your foreign driver license to the DMV road test examiner. The local DMV office keeps your foreign driver license, and then destroys the license after 60 days. If you plan to return to your home country and use your foreign driver license, ask the road test examiner how to make sure that your foreign driver license is not destroyed. If you need to get your foreign driver license, go to the local DMV office where you applied for your NYS driver license."

http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/license.htm#d...romothernations

[Dr_LHA 3]

when I got my Cali license, she asked for my Canadian license and I handed it over... she looked at it and typed something in her computer and handed it back to me.... I was suprised and said something to the effect that wasn't I supposed to turn it over to the DMV and she said no, I could keep it

Exactly what happened to me in California.

[anya-D 8]

well, as far as I know I stil have my Thai driver's licence.. and all my friends also. Never been asked to give them my licence or have to show them anything. (even i show them my international driving licence, they didnt take that one either) may be they only take certain countries????

[john_and_marlene 162]

I should note that by not accepting proof of AOS (i.e. the NOA1) as proof of legal presence, NY are NOT meeting the requirements of the Real ID act.

Check here:

http://www.ncsl.org/standcomm/sctran/realidsummary05.htm

Under: "Immigration requirements"

These are minimum requirements established by the federal government. States are free to impose additional restrictions as they see fit. They are meeting the federal minimums and more.

[Neja 0]

Yes they will take your foreign license. At least they are supposed to. It's against the law to posess more than one driver's license.

Has this actually happened to anyone? I've never heard this and everyone I know still has their home country license, and would be livid if the DMV took it off them (they have no right to take someone's foriegn license). I didn't think there is a law against possessing two licenses, only against possessing two license from different states in the US. Nothing wrong with having a PA license and a UK license for example.

I may be wrong however... annoying if true. I wouldn't want to give up my UK license (and haven't).

It happened to me in NY State. It's common sense for the DMV, say you get busted for DUI and they suspend/revoke your US license. There's nothing to then stop you driving around with your foreign license. Whether this procedure is followed in other states I don't know.

"When you receive your NYS driver license, you must surrender your foreign driver license to the DMV road test examiner. The local DMV office keeps your foreign driver license, and then destroys the license after 60 days. If you plan to return to your home country and use your foreign driver license, ask the road test examiner how to make sure that your foreign driver license is not destroyed. If you need to get your foreign driver license, go to the local DMV office where you applied for your NYS driver license."

http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/license.htm#d...romothernations

Yep they took my Canadian driver's license when I traded it in for a NYS one. I figure if I ever go back to Canada to live then I can just trade in my US one for a Canadian one. No problems for me.

[Boiler 45,880]

Or just get a duplicate now and be done with it, you never know when it might come in useful.

Yes they will take your foreign license. At least they are supposed to. It's against the law to posess more than one driver's license.

Has this actually happened to anyone? I've never heard this and everyone I know still has their home country license, and would be livid if the DMV took it off them (they have no right to take someone's foriegn license). I didn't think there is a law against possessing two licenses, only against possessing two license from different states in the US. Nothing wrong with having a PA license and a UK license for example.

I may be wrong however... annoying if true. I wouldn't want to give up my UK license (and haven't).

I believe NY is the only one where there is an issue, the simplest solution is not ta take it with you, just do the test as a new driver.

I did bring the form to get a replacement, but not an issue in CO, probably still have it somewhere.

[Dr_LHA 3]

These are minimum requirements established by the federal government. States are free to impose additional restrictions as they see fit. They are meeting the federal minimums and more.

Yeah, I see what you're saying, although I'm not sure if its right that they can disallow documents of legal presence that the government thinks is OK. Thank goodness I don't live in a state that thinks it has to be stricter than the Federal government requires for giving out a drivers license. Not being able to drive while waiting the indeterminate period for my Green Card would be a pain in the #######.

[Anna C. 4]

They take the foreign DL? How can I stop that? As far as I know I have to take a test in NC to get a DL, so why should they want to get my European dl? I wanna keep it! It cost 800 Euros to get it, and is valid a life-long, hey will never get it! Or can they force me? I mean whenever I go home for a visit, I'll rent a car, and with my German DL it will be much cheaper than with an American DL... So there is a practical reason to keep it...

[Dr_LHA 3]

They take the foreign DL? How can I stop that? As far as I know I have to take a test in NC to get a DL, so why should they want to get my European dl? I wanna keep it! It cost 800 Euros to get it, and is valid a life-long, hey will never get it! Or can they force me? I mean whenever I go home for a visit, I'll rent a car, and with my German DL it will be much cheaper than with an American DL... So there is a practical reason to keep it...

Being as you have to take the test anyway, I would simply not take your EU license to the DMV. I can't think of any good reason to give up your foriegn license, and the only ones I've heard of on this board that make some sense are the Canadians, who can just swap their license for a US one without taking the test (IIRC).

[Boiler 45,880]

They take the foreign DL? How can I stop that? As far as I know I have to take a test in NC to get a DL, so why should they want to get my European dl? I wanna keep it! It cost 800 Euros to get it, and is valid a life-long, hey will never get it! Or can they force me? I mean whenever I go home for a visit, I'll rent a car, and with my German DL it will be much cheaper than with an American DL... So there is a practical reason to keep it...

It it ID in Germany, did not know that.

a) Do not take it with you.

or

B) obtain a duplicate if they have it already.

[Marilyn. 340]

They take the foreign DL? How can I stop that? As far as I know I have to take a test in NC to get a DL, so why should they want to get my European dl? I wanna keep it! It cost 800 Euros to get it, and is valid a life-long, hey will never get it! Or can they force me? I mean whenever I go home for a visit, I'll rent a car, and with my German DL it will be much cheaper than with an American DL... So there is a practical reason to keep it...

Being as you have to take the test anyway, I would simply not take your EU license to the DMV. I can't think of any good reason to give up your foriegn license, and the only ones I've heard of on this board that make some sense are the Canadians, who can just swap their license for a US one without taking the test (IIRC).

that all depends on the State.... here in California I had to take the written test and the road test.....

[Dr_LHA 3]

that all depends on the State.... here in California I had to take the written test and the road test.....

Of course! Every state is different.

[Anna C. 4]

Thanks guys, I just wont bring it to the DMV and pass the super easy tests there. Piece of cake compared to the German tests!!! And easier rules over here (less things are verboten)

And yes, the DL of Germany is a valid photo ID. So it's a big no no to give it up!!!!