NJ Driver License

[INK 0]

Does anyone have experience with getting a NJ DL after moving on immigrant visa? Do you have to take the knowledge/driving test to swap DLs?

Thanks in advance...

[SapphireDreams 71]

I'm pretty sure anyone, even people from out of state have to take a written test to get a NJ license. I have a couple of friends in NY that moved to Jersey and had to write the test. They failed it too, so they recommend studying!!

I think Amanda had to take the test too, I'm sure she'll weigh in

[thetreble 19]

Yes, you must take the test. PLEASE STUDY! Even though I had been driving for 7 years when I took that test, I failed twice. I'd even driven in the US for an entire year every day and still failed. I didn't understand the measurements and some of the things are different then what they are in Canada.

Good luck!

[ddartt1 2]

Yes you will have to take the written test, i took mine in July and passed. You can read online driver manual at NJDMV website. The sample test on this website are also useful: www.skillfuldrivingschool.com

Good luck.

[Gypsyangel 11]

The test is by computer. I recommend going through and answering all the ones you know, then it will recycle back to the other questions until you get enough right to pass. and yes, study! It's not hard but it gets technical.

Bring your valid Canadian driver's licence or they will make you take a driving test. They will return it to you.

Also, you need your green card to write the test. That can be a pain if you're waiting for it and you're trying to get car insurance - at least it was for me. Good luck!

[DoneWaiting 15]

Every State may have different rules and I am not in disagreement with any of the prior quotes, however. The USA will allow Canadian Citizens to reciprocate their drivers license to their new home [state of Residency]. According to the DMV law [in most states], if you are permanent resident and have a possession of a driver's license from any other state [including Puerto Rico and Hawaii] and Canada, you have to transfer your driving privileges.

Copy of your Documents will be necessary [of course].. Hope I am not wrong otherwise, study for the test. lol

Regards,

Does anyone have experience with getting a NJ DL after moving on immigrant visa? Do you have to take the knowledge/driving test to swap DLs?

Thanks in advance...

[OBX 51]

Does anyone have experience with getting a NJ DL after moving on immigrant visa? Do you have to take the knowledge/driving test to swap DLs?

Thanks in advance...

Yes you will be required to take the written test. Check out their website for information . http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/

The 6 point identification is very important. They accepted my green card, a bank statement from Canada with my US address and a Canadian debit card (which I found odd.)

The online test was invaluable to me. As others have mentioned study, study study!! The best way to increase your odds of passing, as mentioned above, is to answer only the questions you are absolutely sure of first. The questions will recycle until you have answered 40 correct out of 50. I went through about 5 times slowly eliminating the ones I was sure of then moved to those I wasn't quite sure of and so on. When I took the test in August a lot of the questions were related to the rules and regulations regarding the stages of licensing new drivers and DUI issues. There were actually few questions about actual driving skills. I came within one question of failing but the computer will automatically stop once you hit the magic number.

Generally a road test is not required but when I went was told it was up to the discretion of the person administering your written test. I was questioned on how long I had been driving since they noticed that my Ontario license was just issued last year. I explained that I had just changed to my married name but had been driving for over 20 years. They were satisfied with that and I received my NJ licence.

Good luck, let us know how it turns out for you.

Edited December 8, 2009 by OBX

[poochie909 0]

We moved to NJ from NY in July 09 but I didn't need to drive until now. I would like to avoid doing the road test if possible and just use my UK license and do the knowledge/vision tests...anybody have experience with this?

Do they ask how long you've been a NJ resident? Is it likely they could even verify if I said we just moved here a month ago?

[INK 0]

We moved to NJ from NY in July 09 but I didn't need to drive until now. I would like to avoid doing the road test if possible and just use my UK license and do the knowledge/vision tests...anybody have experience with this?

Do they ask how long you've been a NJ resident? Is it likely they could even verify if I said we just moved here a month ago?

No sure about UK license, it is likely the same procedure as is for Canadian. I had to give knowledge and vision test - no road test.

They do not as how long have you been in NY.

[antda 13]

Hi Everyone,

I don't know about driver's licenses in NJ, but I can tell you that this is what it is for driver's licenses in NYS....

Drivers From the US or Canada Who Move to NYS

NYS recognizes valid driver licenses held by residents of other US states, US territories and Federal districts and Canadian provinces. If you become a resident of NYS, you must apply for a NYS driver license not more than 30 days after you become a NYS resident.

You can exchange an out-of-state driver license or Canadian driver license for a NYS driver license if the driver license has your photograph, the driver license is not suspended or revoked and the driver license:

has been valid for at least 6 months, or

has expired in the past 12 months, or

is a valid CDL and has been valid for any amount of time, and

The driver license that you exchange must show the date that your driver license was issued. The date is required to verify that the driver license was issued at least six months before you applied for a NYS driver license. If your out-of-state photo driver license does not show the date of issue, get a driver license record or letter from the state that issued the driver license that indicates the date of issue. The letter or driver abstract must have been issued by the other state within six months before you submit the letter or driver abstract to the NYSDMV. The letter or driver record must be an original and must be on the letterhead of the Department of Motor Vehicles of the other state. The letter or driver abstract cannot be a copy or a fax.

If your out-of-state driver license or Canadian driver license is suspended or revoked, you cannot apply for a NYS driver license. You must remove the suspension or revocation and bring to a NYS DMV office a valid driver license that meets the requirements listed above.

If you have only a driver license like those listed below, you must apply for a NYS driver license as a new driver. See "New Drivers-How to Apply".

You cannot exchange the following types of driver licenses for a NYS driver license:

a driver license with no photo

a driver license that does not show the date that the driver license was issued. Read the information about the requirement that your driver license show the date of issue.

a learner permit

a temporary driver license or an interim driver license

a hardship driver license or an "employment only driver license"

a driver license expired for more than 12 months

a non-commercial driver license valid for less than 6 months.

a driver license marked "non-renewable" or "non-transferable"

To exchange an acceptable out-of-state photo driver license for a NYS driver license:

Complete application form MV-44 and apply at a local DMV office.

Pass a vision test at the DMV office, or bring a valid form MV-619 (Eye Test Report) completed by an eye-care professional. If the form MV-619 has a print date of 9/03 or earlier, the form is valid for 6 months after the date of the eye test. If the form has a print date of 3/04 or later, the eye-care professional marks a box on the form to indicate if the form is valid for 6 months or for 12 months after the date of the eye test.

Surrender your out-of-state driver license. See the information below if your out-of-state driver license is lost or stolen.

Provide at least two points of identification and proof of date of birth, and your out-of-state photo driver license and your Social Security Card.

Show your Social Security Card. If you are not eligible for a Social Security Card, you must provide a letter from the US Social Security Administration (SSA) that states that you are not eligible. The SSA Letter must have been issued within the last 30 days. You must also show an I-94 with one of the following codes: B-1, B-2, E-2, F-2, H4, L-2, M-2, O-3, P-4, Q-3, R-2 or TD. At least 11 months of valid, legal status must remain on your I-94.

Pay the $10 application fee and the driver license fee with cash, check, money order or credit card.

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

Hope this helps. Good luck with your driver's licenses and with the rest of your immigration journeys too.

Ant

Does anyone have experience with getting a NJ DL after moving on immigrant visa? Do you have to take the knowledge/driving test to swap DLs?

Thanks in advance...

We moved to NJ from NY in July 09 but I didn't need to drive until now. I would like to avoid doing the road test if possible and just use my UK license and do the knowledge/vision tests...anybody have experience with this?

Do they ask how long you've been a NJ resident? Is it likely they could even verify if I said we just moved here a month ago?

[OBX 51]

We moved to NJ from NY in July 09 but I didn't need to drive until now. I would like to avoid doing the road test if possible and just use my UK license and do the knowledge/vision tests...anybody have experience with this?

Do they ask how long you've been a NJ resident? Is it likely they could even verify if I said we just moved here a month ago?

They did not ask how long I had been in NJ when I went to change my license although technically I believe you are supposed to apply within 2 months of moving to the state. (From their website: Replacing an out-of-state license: If you have recently moved to New Jersey, you must transfer your out-of-state license within 60 days of your move or before your current license expires, whichever occurs first.)

The written test was required (study, study, study) and as noted in my earlier post I was told the road test was at the discretion of the person administering the written test. Had I been a new driver I suspect they might have required me to do it but I don't think it's the norm if you are an experienced driver. Good luck.

Edited March 13, 2010 by OBX