Driving in the US with a French driving license

[Tiz&Adam 0]

MVA is becoming my nightmare.

I've been there 4 times already. Today was when I thought I was going to finally have my MD license. I got one that expires when my visa does!

They also told me I can drive with my French license for a year from the date I arrived in the US. Were you told the same?

They had never dealt with a "case" like mine and they were most confused.

Can anybody let me know their stories?

[carmelkiss7 0]

MVA is becoming my nightmare.

I've been there 4 times already. Today was when I thought I was going to finally have my MD license. I got one that expires when my visa does!

They also told me I can drive with my French license for a year from the date I arrived in the US. Were you told the same?

They had never dealt with a "case" like mine and they were most confused.

Can anybody let me know their stories?

[YuAndDan 153]

Moving this to "Moving here life in USA"

Driving privileges are a state by state thing. Most states will let you use foreign DL until you are considered to be a resident (Green-Card Holder), at which point you will be required to have a State Driver's license.

[Harsh_77 718]

Yep, u will only get a DL, until your visa date is valid on top of it now they put in red on your DL that you are temp visitor.

Driving with French lic varies from state to state. I will not go in there this is really a complicated.

[Canadiandggal 49]

I am a cr-1 person but here is a link to my review http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/282656-hagerstown-maryland-mva-review/page__p__4289351__fromsearch__1#entry4289351

also here is the mva site http://www.mva.maryland.gov/

I was told I could drive with my Canada license for 60 days as the US had a pack with Canada we are considered a Out of state not Country. I would call the mva and see what they say.

Exchanging an Out-of-State License for a Maryland License, Please Bring:

Proof of age/identity, lawful presence, verifiable social security number or proof of ineligibility, Maryland residence, Out-of-State license(s), and the appropriate fee for each license class for which you apply. Please refer to Sources of Proof for required documentation.

New Maryland residents must obtain a Maryland Drivers License within 60 days.

You must pass a vision test.

An Out-of-State license may be valid or expired. If expired for one year or more, you are required to pass a knowledge and driver's skills test. If you do not have your out-of-state license in your possession, you will need to present a certified driving record from the licensing agency. The license cannot be suspended, cancelled or revoked.

If licensed for less than 18 months, you will be issued a Maryland Provisional License.

A valid U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) physical card or Federal/MVA waiver (if applying for a Commercial Driver's License).

A hazardous material (HAZMAT) test is required to keep your HAZMAT endorsement (if applying for a Commercial Driver's License).

Out-of-State learner's permits cannot be exchanged for a Maryland Learner's Permit or license.

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Exchanging an Out-of-Country License for a Maryland License, Please Bring:

Proof of age/identity, lawful presence, verifiable social security number or proof of ineligibility, Maryland residence, Out-of-Country license(s), and the appropriate fee for each license for which you apply. Please refer to Sources of Proof for required documentation.

You must pass a vision test, knowledge test, and driving test.

An Out-of-Country license may be valid or expired. The license cannot be suspended.

If licensed for less than 18 months, you will be issued a Maryland Provisional License.

If you have never been licensed in the U.S., you must complete a 3-Hour Drug & Alcohol Education Program.

A valid U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) physical card or federal/MVA waiver (if applying for a Commercial Drivers License) is needed.

An Out-of-Country license may be required to be accompanied by an international driver's license or translated into English by an approved MVA translator.

If you are from Out-of-Country, and have never held a license, you must obtain a learners permit.

Note: Knowledge and skill tests are NOT required if you are converting a valid license, or a license that expired less than 12 months ago, issued by one of the following countries or U.S. Territories:

Countries: Canada, Yukon Territory, France, Republic of Korea (South)

U.S. Territories: American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands. Also, the Panama Canal Zone, if the applicant was born prior to September 30, 1979

Edited January 11, 2011 by Canadiandggal

[missouriviaperu 1]

Moving this to "Moving here life in USA"

Driving privileges are a state by state thing. Most states will let you use foreign DL until you are considered to be a resident (Green-Card Holder), at which point you will be required to have a State Driver's license.

unfortunately for us the state of Missouri doesn't recognize a foreign driver's license...have to start from scratch with the Permit & Driving Exams