Driving In U.S

[Dave H 12]

Hi all,

I have not applied for my drivers license yet, as I don't have enough I.D proof to apply yet.

But I was wanting to know if I can drive my wife's car (U.S.C.). My wife says I can, but my U.K insurance only allowed me to drive abroad for 30 days, that time has now passed. Also my wife does not have me as a named driver on her insurance.

My wife wants me to drive as much as possible but I really don't think I am allowed.

Many Thanks

Dave

[Gosia & Tito 199]

Hi all,

I have not applied for my drivers license yet, as I don't have enough I.D proof to apply yet.

But I was wanting to know if I can drive my wife's car (U.S.C.). My wife says I can, but my U.K insurance only allowed me to drive abroad for 30 days, that time has now passed. Also my wife does not have me as a named driver on her insurance.

My wife wants me to drive as much as possible but I really don't think I am allowed.

Many Thanks

Dave

If I am getting this right, you wol dbe driving her ein the US, with a UK license, correct? Most states allow 30 days before you need to change a license, but goven circumstance, I think you would be ok ,now for insurance, it is her insuracen her ein the US who detemines coverage. You don't necesarily have to be register as a drive; again, in many states and depending of the insurance, the insurance comapnies allow a driver (no need to register) that is 'visiting'. The 'visiting' can be subject to interpretation though...I'd suggest calling them and getting in writing, whatever is that they allow. When my folks or siblings come to visit (from overseas), they are ok, but they rarely stay past 30 days. My insurance is ok with it (I'm in TX by the way). My insurance only wants to know if I have given permission to drive my cars. And for illustrations, 2-3 years back, my sister took my truck to go shopping and it got stolen, to make things worst, the cops catched up with the guy and after a TV-like chase, my truck got totaled....I called the insurance, and same day (Sunday) someone showed at my house with papers to sign....week later I had a new truck....

Hope this helps

[amesa 9]

You need to go to your state's DMV website to find out the law.

For Florida, it's mandatory to have insurance...you have to have a license and show several items of proof of identity and residency.

Sure, you can drive...but if you get caught without a license or without insurance, you could get in legal trouble.

I would suggest working on getting your ID documentation and then get your US license. You may have to wait a few more months, but better that than get in trouble if caught. Do you want to risk it?

[Dave H 12]

You need to go to your state's DMV website to find out the law.

For Florida, it's mandatory to have insurance...you have to have a license and show several items of proof of identity and residency.

Sure, you can drive...but if you get caught without a license or without insurance, you could get in legal trouble.

I would suggest working on getting your ID documentation and then get your US license. You may have to wait a few more months, but better that than get in trouble if caught. Do you want to risk it?

I believe I need insurance too to drive her car, So I think I may wait to drive any more or until I get a U.S license. Like you say, it's better to be safe than sorry.

Thanks

Dave

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

If you reside in the same residence you must be specifically insured on the car. For example my son who lives at home is NOT insured on my car. My daughter who is on her own can drive my car and be covered.

[Dave H 12]

If you reside in the same residence you must be specifically insured on the car. For example my son who lives at home is NOT insured on my car. My daughter who is on her own can drive my car and be covered.

BUT, I don't have a U.S drivers license. Does this matter at all? Also your daughter would have her own insurance, and I have none now.

Thanks

Dave

[Dave H 12]

BUT, I don't have a U.S drivers license. Does this matter at all? Also your daughter would have her own insurance, and I have none now.

Thanks

Dave

After phoning the DMV and finding out they could not answer my questions, they put me through to the traffic dept of the police, and got an answer machine!!!!!!!

I then started searching the internet and was given a website, through Visajourney actually. It looks like in Colorado I can drive for 90 days instead of 30. I was told this is because my K-1 expires after 90 days. So if anyone wants info just try here:http://www.aamva.org/aamva/DocumentDisplay.aspx?id={E0CFB3C6-88F0-4FC3-959B-6BD1B9D5FF31} I found the relevant info on pages 140-142 (Driver Licenses for Foreign Non-Resident Visitors)

Thanks

Dave

[teresaandkurt 2]

A valid foreign license + valid visa = ability to legally drive in the US. End of story. Which state does not matter. At the end of the expiry of the visa, then it becomes a matter of residency...

[VanessaTony 3,567]

A valid foreign license + valid visa = ability to legally drive in the US. End of story. Which state does not matter. At the end of the expiry of the visa, then it becomes a matter of residency...

Mmm no. A K1 visa is immediately cancelled upon entry therefore is no longer "valid". States such as California give you 10 days of being a RESIDENT (not an LPR, just living in California) before you need a CA licence.

It is entirely state dependent. Some will give you one if you have a set number of days left on your I-94 (which controls your status). Some won't give you one on an I-94. Some will give you a licence with your AOS NOA1, some require an EAD as a minimum. All require an SSN (that I've seen).

ALSO some countries aren't a member of the reciprocal licence scheme and so you need an International Drivers Permit, just your licence isn't enough.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Topic has been moved from AOS forum to Working & Travelling During US Immigration forum as a more appropriate location to discuss Drivers' Licenses

[Dave H 12]

Mmm no. A K1 visa is immediately cancelled upon entry therefore is no longer "valid". States such as California give you 10 days of being a RESIDENT (not an LPR, just living in California) before you need a CA licence.

It is entirely state dependent. Some will give you one if you have a set number of days left on your I-94 (which controls your status). Some won't give you one on an I-94. Some will give you a licence with your AOS NOA1, some require an EAD as a minimum. All require an SSN (that I've seen).

ALSO some countries aren't a member of the reciprocal licence scheme and so you need an International Drivers Permit, just your licence isn't enough.

My I-94 expires on July 19th, then I won't be able to drive in Colorado until I get a drivers license from U.S. I have checked today and that is what I have been told. I don't have enough proof to apply for a license yet. I have no E.A.D or N.O.A.1. My SSN should take 3 weeks to be delivered too.

Dave

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Hi all,

I have not applied for my drivers license yet, as I don't have enough I.D proof to apply yet.

But I was wanting to know if I can drive my wife's car (U.S.C.). My wife says I can, but my U.K insurance only allowed me to drive abroad for 30 days, that time has now passed. Also my wife does not have me as a named driver on her insurance.

My wife wants me to drive as much as possible but I really don't think I am allowed.

Many Thanks

Dave

Dave--looks like you found your answer for driving 90 days as a visitor. Colorado didn't specifiy that in the document footnotes(p.144), so did a Colorado official tell you 90 days?

The best answer about insurance will be from your wife's insurance agent. Driving and insurance are a state thing. For example in Texas it is not the driver who is insured, but the vehicle. If I insure my vehicle and I give someone permission to drive it, then it is covered. My UK husband was covered without being listed. My agent told me so. When he got his license, he was added as a named driver at no additional cost on my policy because the cost is based on the vehicle, not a fee per driver. (once you are older than the young driver extra cost)

So have the wife get the answer from her insurance company as it might be different in CO.

[KemalTuanaYalcin 16]

Hi all,

I have not applied for my drivers license yet, as I don't have enough I.D proof to apply yet.

But I was wanting to know if I can drive my wife's car (U.S.C.). My wife says I can, but my U.K insurance only allowed me to drive abroad for 30 days, that time has now passed. Also my wife does not have me as a named driver on her insurance.

My wife wants me to drive as much as possible but I really don't think I am allowed.

Many Thanks

Dave

Have you looked up about obtaining an international driver's license. I was doing some research online, I found one where my fiance once here and after we marry, he could obtain an international driver's license that would allow him to drive here for 5 years, however he had to have a driver's license from his home country. I don't know if you had one or not. But from what I read online it appeared that as long as he had that he could drive. Also, regarding the insurance, I know all states are different, but being a former californian I know that my policy permitted me to allow others to drive my vehicle and I did not need to add them to my policy. However, if you are driving your wife's car frequently I would suggest getting added on the insurance as an additional driver once you obtain the international driver's license if you qualify. I know that in California, insurance covered the vehicle, not the person so there might possibly be a way to drive here. Also, I would call your locak police office or AAA and ask them these questions and see what suggestions if any they can give you!

Hope you have a good day!

[Gosia & Tito 199]

Have you looked up about obtaining an international driver's license. I was doing some research online, I found one where my fiance once here and after we marry, he could obtain an international driver's license that would allow him to drive here for 5 years, however he had to have a driver's license from his home country. I don't know if you had one or not. But from what I read online it appeared that as long as he had that he could drive. Also, regarding the insurance, I know all states are different, but being a former californian I know that my policy permitted me to allow others to drive my vehicle and I did not need to add them to my policy. However, if you are driving your wife's car frequently I would suggest getting added on the insurance as an additional driver once you obtain the international driver's license if you qualify. I know that in California, insurance covered the vehicle, not the person so there might possibly be a way to drive here. Also, I would call your locak police office or AAA and ask them these questions and see what suggestions if any they can give you!

Hope you have a good day!

Prior post about Colorado seems correct. I lived there as well and they seem to have the most foreigner-friendly rules (to the point of recognizing other countries -not all though) licenses. The post about TX is correct, as I have *tested * it

Even international licenses have limitations. It is not only the length but other conditions what drive how they are valid or not. Best thing to do is to check with wife insurance agent and whatever he/she says, get it in writing; I would not trust that 'it is in the policy'; insurance companies are in the business of making money and their policies have plenty of wording that is designed to trick you out of your money and theirs not to be given away.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Have you looked up about obtaining an international driver's license. I was doing some research online, I found one where my fiance once here and after we marry, he could obtain an international driver's license that would allow him to drive here for 5 years, however he had to have a driver's license from his home country.

There is no such thing (legally) as an International Driver's License. The International Driver's Permit is merely a translation document of the foreign person's license into many languages for the benefit of local authorities. In Dave's case, his UK license is in English and will be readable to US police officers.

Driving permission is granted by the state. Each one decides if they will recognize foreign licenses, from what countries, and for how many months. An IDP gives no permission to drive. If you are allowed to drive by the state, then it provides the translation for your foreign language license.

For Americans planning to drive abroad, the IDP is only available at AAA (American Automobile Association) offices for $10-$15. For non-Americans, the IDP should be obtained in the home country. Beware of many scams/fakes saying it gives you legal benefits in the country you are visiting.