Questions about UK driving license & visit to UK on vacation

[honeymonster 0]

Hi...this is my first question on here,so here goes..

Question 1 - I have recently moved to Cleveland from England.I have a full UK driving license.Would I need to do a new driving test to obtain a Ohio license or would they accept my UK license which I have had since 1995?

Question 2 - I was led to believe that once I enter the US that I wont be able to return to the UK for a period of 12 months,is this correct?.I would like to know because it would be nice to maybe go back to the UK in August or September to visit my elderly parents and other members of the family and my friends.

For the record I entered the US in January 2010.I have a I-551 stamp in my passport.I have a Social Security Card & Number and I also have my 'Permanent Resident' Green Card.

Any help recieved will be much appreciated :-)

[VanessaTony 3,567]

1. Most states restrict the period with which an international licence is accepted. Here's their contact page: http://bmv.ohio.gov/contact.stm I'd call this main number: (614) 752-7500 and ask them to be sure.

2. You have a greencard. You can leave and re-enter whenever you want. the ONLY issue is you have to make sure you're not out of the country for more than 12 months at a time. The longer you're out (even if it's under the 12 months) the more difficult it is to prove you truly reside in the US which is one of the requirements for LPR. Also, make sure you keep track of any entries and exits as if you apply for citizenship they will ask (and sometimes its hard to remember from a while back)

Edited February 22, 2010 by Vanessa&Tony

[nigel 7]

Hi...this is my first question on here,so here goes..

Question 1 - I have recently moved to Cleveland from England.I have a full UK driving license.Would I need to do a new driving test to obtain a Ohio license or would they accept my UK license which I have had since 1995?

Question 2 - I was led to believe that once I enter the US that I wont be able to return to the UK for a period of 12 months,is this correct?.I would like to know because it would be nice to maybe go back to the UK in August or September to visit my elderly parents and other members of the family and my friends.

For the record I entered the US in January 2010.I have a I-551 stamp in my passport.I have a Social Security Card & Number and I also have my 'Permanent Resident' Green Card.

Any help recieved will be much appreciated :-)

Not sure about your Uk D/L ..But Different states different rules....so check with your state....

If i was you i would take your test for your state...and if its anythng like Florida ...it's a piece of cake..

I drove around the parking lot not even getting out of 2nd gear and passed....But having a Full Uk Licence for 22 yrs would have helped me somewhat. guess...

Plus having a US D/L will help if your ask for I.D as this will crop up on most day to day business...

Now....You can travel outside the us for short periods while on a LPR....try not to be away for more than 6 mths as this will show red Flags at P.O.E

also stay outside for more than 6 mths will disrupt your time if/when you want to become a usc in the future..

If you know your going to be outside for more than 12/24 mths.....apply for a i 131 Re-entry permit before you leave the us..

Keep all records of your travel as this will be one requirment if/when you do decide to apply for USC down the line...

[Nik+Heather 121]

There's the digest of motor vehicle laws for Ohio here: http://www.publicsafety.ohio.gov/links/HSY7607.pdf

My reading of page 11 is that since you are not a tourist (you are a US LPR), you have to get an Ohio drivers license ASAP (no time specified - in other states it's only 30 days). It says further down that you have to pass all the tests. No comment on whether some countries they will just convert or not. When you go to get it, they will tell you. It might be a good idea to read the rules of the road just in general - there are lots of things which are different over here just in terms of general conventions - who goes first at a 4-way stop, what does a double yellow solid line mean.....etc.

[honeymonster 0]

Hi...this is my first question on here,so here goes..

Question 1 - I have recently moved to Cleveland from England.I have a full UK driving license.Would I need to do a new driving test to obtain a Ohio license or would they accept my UK license which I have had since 1995?

Question 2 - I was led to believe that once I enter the US that I wont be able to return to the UK for a period of 12 months,is this correct?.I would like to know because it would be nice to maybe go back to the UK in August or September to visit my elderly parents and other members of the family and my friends.

For the record I entered the US in January 2010.I have a I-551 stamp in my passport.I have a Social Security Card & Number and I also have my 'Permanent Resident' Green Card.

Any help recieved will be much appreciated :-)

UPDATE **....Last Tuesday (March 2nd),I took my driving test and I passed :-),I took the written test the week before and passed that as well.On the driving test I was told of a couple of minus points..

1 - I changed lanes too close approaching a set of traffic signals

2 - The test examiner told me that in a 35mph zone,I was only doing 25...she said apart from that my driving was very good.

For the record,when I went into the office to obtain my license I had to show them photo I.D in this case my Green Card..Social Security Card,and something with my name and address on in this case it was a bill for internet service and hand over $23.So I now have a brand new Ohio drivers license..even though it is pink !