Can I drive with my international drver's licence?

[Day Dreamer 0]

Hi there!

I have a valid driver's licence from my country of origin, everything on it is also translated in English. I recently received my EAD and applied for a SSN today.

Can I drive with my driver's licence or do I have to go by the DMV and get a new test?

Thank you in advance.

[paojack 41]

Is it an International DL or is it your country's DL? Either way depends on the state you live in.

Some states allow you to drive with your country's DL and not with an International DL, other states don't allow foreign DL at all.

If I were you I would go get your state's DL, it just makes everything easier.

[w8inglongtime 29]

Hi there!

I have a valid driver's licence from my country of origin, everything on it is also translated in English. I recently received my EAD and applied for a SSN today.

Can I drive with my driver's licence or do I have to go by the DMV and get a new test?

Thank you in advance.

Unfortunately you can't drive for more than 30 days on a foreign drivers licence. Unless its a international drivers licence.(someone correct me if i'm wrong).You'd have to go to your DMV once you have you SSN and get a new drivers licence. You may not even have to take the driving test if you're from Belgium. I think Belgium is on the list of countries whose drivers do not have to prove they can drive a car. You may Only take the written test.

Edited November 21, 2011 by w8inglongtime

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

No. Whether or not, and for how long you can use you foreign or out of state license will vary by state. For California, it's ten days once you become a resident of the state, which is simpler than most California newbies suspect as far as the DMV is concerned.

[Day Dreamer 0]

It is my country's driver licence, so it's not an actual international driver's licence. I live in the state of Texas.

Once I receive my SSN I'll just stop by the DMV and see what my options are.

Thank you bunch!

[Tim/Mav 305]

I would think NO. Set aside from States having different driving Laws a different Country has even more different driving Laws. But, I really don't know. But I appreciate the WARNING your going to drive so I can get the hell off the Road. LOL

[paojack 41]

Unfortunately you can't drive for more than 30 days on a foreign drivers licence. Unless its a international drivers licence.(someone correct me if i'm wrong).You'd have to go to your DMV once you have you SSN and get a new drivers licence. You may not even have to take the driving test if you're from Belgium. I think Belgium is on the list of countries whose drivers do not have to prove they can drive a car. You may Only take the written test.

No, it does depend on the state you live in!.. I Could not renew my old Colorado DL because I dont have EAD or green card yet so I have been driving with my mexican DL for 4 months and have not had problems at all, I actually asked a cop if it was Ok to drive with it and he said yes But again, if you have your EAD already, I would go get your state's DL, the tests (driving and written) are very easy.

[Tim/Mav 305]

You have to LEARN TO DRIVE LIKE A USC First.

Then take your Drivers Test. LOL

[N M 96]

No, it does depend on the state you live in!.. I Could not renew my old Colorado DL because I dont have EAD or green card yet so I have been driving with my mexican DL for 4 months and have not had problems at all, I actually asked a cop if it was Ok to drive with it and he said yes But again, if you have your EAD already, I would go get your state's DL, the tests (driving and written) are very easy.

That cop doesn't know Colorado law then!

You can use a foreign license in CO for 90 days max. After that you need to obtain a CO license. Unfortunately for many of us who take the K1 route, you won't get your EAD within 90 days of entry, so you have two options: Stop driving until your EAD arrives and you can get a CO license, or keep driving and hope for the best. Most people seem to choose the latter, but it's risky. Looking back, if I'd have been in an accident after the 90 day point, I sincerely doubt my wife's insurer (it was her car) would have paid out.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Hi there!

I have a valid driver's licence from my country of origin, everything on it is also translated in English. I recently received my EAD and applied for a SSN today.

Can I drive with my driver's licence or do I have to go by the DMV and get a new test?

Thank you in advance.

Texas allows visitors to drive 12 months on a foreign license. Once you get a greencard you are a resident and have 90 days to get a TX license. With your EAD, you can get a "Temporary Visitor" TX license that expires the same day as the EAD. Or just wait on the GC and get a longer term license from the start. Local cops are not going to know immigration laws so may question why you don't have a TX license if you've been here a number of months. They don't get it that it takes some months to qualify with EAD or GC.

For any license you will need proof of insurance and a SSN. You will take the written test (multiple choice on computer) and a driving test with a state highway patrol trooper. You get 3 tries before you have to start over and pay again. The written test will give you a learner's permit if you need more time to practice driving before you take the driving test.

Go to the DPS office and pick up the free yellow handbook to study for the written test. Pay attention to the first section all about teen drivers and penalties for drugs etc. The test has a lot of questions on that---I guess because most people getting a first license are teens. My husband skipped that section of the book since it didn't apply to him and barely got the required 70% to pass on the first attempt.

[baron555 934]

Hi there!

I have a valid driver's licence from my country of origin, everything on it is also translated in English. I recently received my EAD and applied for a SSN today.

Can I drive with my driver's licence or do I have to go by the DMV and get a new test?

Thank you in advance.

There is no such thing as an International Driver's License....there is an International Drivers Permit but it is merely an English translation of your country's driver's license. Each state's DMV is different as to whether they allow that to be used, usually for some temporary period, until you have to obtain a regular state DL.

More importantly, is whether you can obtain auto insurance.....most states require to have auto insurance as an additional prerequisite to driving and that may trump any DL discussion. Discuss this with your finace's auto insurance carrier.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

There is no such thing as an International Driver's License....there is an International Drivers Permit but it is merely an English translation of your country's driver's license. Each state's DMV is different as to whether they allow that to be used, usually for some temporary period, until you have to obtain a regular state DL.

More importantly, is whether you can obtain auto insurance.....most states require to have auto insurance as an additional prerequisite to driving and that may trump any DL discussion. Discuss this with your finace's auto insurance carrier.

Totally agree on the misconception people have that there is an international driver's license that gives driving privileges.

Insurance: In Texas where he lives, if the car is insured by wife, then she can give her permission for anybody to drive it and it is covered. Showing the car is insured will get him past the driving test. Cars are insured, not the people driving them. He should be added to the policy if he becomes a regular driver of the car. It shouldn't cost anymore money to add a driver to an insured car unless he's a male under 25. At least that's how my State Farm in Texas works--no hike in insurance when I added my husband as a named driver.

[stronger 43]

In the state of Georgia you can drive for up to 1 year on a foreign driver's license from your country of origin. Then after you have your Temporary Green Card with I-94 you can apply for a Georgia drivers license. I was happy to learn this. I need a mobile man.

[Dan & Jenni 457]

In the state of Georgia you can drive for up to 1 year on a foreign driver's license from your country of origin. Then after you have your Temporary Green Card with I-94 you can apply for a Georgia drivers license. I was happy to learn this. I need a mobile man.

thats good to know. when i get to Georgia i will be a mobile man... although i wont be your mobile man so dont be asking for lifts anywhere ok haha

[bigdog 376]

Looks like Texas Nick has the right information.