Japanese wife wants to drive in USA

[HypoLoveTriangle 2]

My wife has been living in the US since April. Michigan to be exact. While in Japan, she didn't drive. When you live in/around Tokyo, you really don't need to. She has a renewed Japanese driver's license for automatic transmission vehicles.

We go to our USCIS interview on Sept 11th.

For those of you who might know, what are our best options for her to get a Michigan Driver's License and to drive a car?

I couldn't really find it on the SOS website.

-Does she need to re-test and go thru a driver's test?

-will the SOS just give her a Michigan license because she has a Japanese one? (granted they drive on the opposite side of the road. craziness)

-Do i need to get her a driver's permit and teach her?

etc etc?

What's the best way?

Thanks

Phil

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

My wife has been living in the US since April. Michigan to be exact. While in Japan, she didn't drive. When you live in/around Tokyo, you really don't need to. She has a renewed Japanese driver's license for automatic transmission vehicles.

We go to our USCIS interview on Sept 11th.

For those of you who might know, what are our best options for her to get a Michigan Driver's License and to drive a car?

I couldn't really find it on the SOS website.

-Does she need to re-test and go thru a driver's test?

-will the SOS just give her a Michigan license because she has a Japanese one? (granted they drive on the opposite side of the road. craziness)

-Do i need to get her a driver's permit and teach her?

etc etc?

What's the best way?

Thanks

Phil

My wife began driving lessons the 2nd day. We used her Russian DL as a "learners permit" sine Vermont will accept foreign licenses for up to 60 days. She then took the written and driving test and passed in less than 2 months. Vermont does not require a green card to get a drivers license and accepted her visa, marriage license and application for AOS as proof she could remain legally for 6 months

You will need to get details from your states SOS, if you do not find them online then you need to DRIVE there and find out. Or pick up one of their brochures on the subject. I am not aware of ANY state that issues licenses to foreigners without a test

[amyandjorge 76]

call your b/dmv and explain your situation, for some reason I remember something about Japanese licenses being an exception to the rules.

with my husband, first they told us he could drive with his foreign license for a few months without a problem, then they said since he is an immigrant (not a tourist) he is not allowed to do that but he still shouldn't have a problem.

my husband had to take the written test, get a permit, then take the driving test to get his license.

[LauraDP 10]

I have been told by Maryland DMV (as that is where we plan to relocate to) that both my husband (a USC but without a US drivers license) and myself will have 60 days in which we are permitted to drive using our UK drivers licenses while we undertake the procedures for obtaining a relevant state license, which involves a knowledge test, vision test and practical / driving test. At that point we will be issued with MD drivers licenses. I have to admit I am a bit freaked out by the fact I have to get my head around being on the other side of the road (especially tackling roundabouts / circles the other way) in such a short space of time but needs must. I have four kids to transport so would rather not be wholly dependent on public transport so I just need to suck up the nerves, when the times comes, and go for it.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

I have been told by Maryland DMV (as that is where we plan to relocate to) that both my husband (a USC but without a US drivers license) and myself will have 60 days in which we are permitted to drive using our UK drivers licenses while we undertake the procedures for obtaining a relevant state license, which involves a knowledge test, vision test and practical / driving test. At that point we will be issued with MD drivers licenses. I have to admit I am a bit freaked out by the fact I have to get my head around being on the other side of the road (especially tackling roundabouts / circles the other way) in such a short space of time but needs must. I have four kids to transport so would rather not be wholly dependent on public transport so I just need to suck up the nerves, when the times comes, and go for it.

Laura, silly bean, roundabouts are very rare in the US My home town recently put in a bunch of roundabouts in a new area, but besides that, I have never seen any others in the US. Keep in mind the seat will be on the other side too, so that helps situate things.

[Xanax 349]

I think roundabouts are mainly in the UK and Australia, they are the only places I have seen them.

4 way stops are the thing here (atleast in MN) everyone just drives up to the stop and whomever was there first goes through, no order, no give way to X side first. It was very odd for me at first.

Edited August 31, 2012 by Xanax

[LauraDP 10]

Laura, silly bean, roundabouts are very rare in the US My home town recently put in a bunch of roundabouts in a new area, but besides that, I have never seen any others in the US. Keep in mind the seat will be on the other side too, so that helps situate things.

Ha ha ha! I love that you called me a "silly bean". My in-laws lived in Washington DC for many years and I was always perplexed by the mysterious rules that governed the use of roundabouts in the US. Aside from the fact that everyone was travelling in the opposite direction from the one I was used to, it seems like those entering the roundabout have the right of way instead of those already on it. My wee mind was blown and I have been fretful about them ever since. I know, I'm a twerp. You are right, however, that the US has far fewer roundabouts than here in the UK so I will just have to plan all of my routes to avoid them.

Sorry to hijack the OP's thread with my neurosis!

[LauraDP 10]

I think roundabouts are mainly in the UK and Australia, they are the only places I have seen them.

4 way stops are the thing here (atleast in MN) everyone just drives up to the stop and whomever was there first goes through, no order, no give way to X side first. It was very odd for me at first.

Oh yes, 4 way stops. My obsession with roundabouts meant I had forgotten those. I love the fact that, if everyone arrives at the junction at the same time, it is all down to eye contact, nods and winks for who goes first. Or at least that is the way my husband drives. Maybe he just likes winking at other drivers.

I keep having to remind myself that I have driven in London without anything bad occurring so if I can negotiate driving in that city then I can pretty much handle driving anywhere. Using the other hand to change gears and looking over the other shoulder for my blind spot will involve some retraining of my brain, however. Why oh why did the UK have to be so awkward about driving on the opposite side from most of the rest of the world?

Cheers

Laura

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Oh yes, 4 way stops. My obsession with roundabouts meant I had forgotten those. I love the fact that, if everyone arrives at the junction at the same time, it is all down to eye contact, nods and winks for who goes first. Or at least that is the way my husband drives. Maybe he just likes winking at other drivers.

I keep having to remind myself that I have driven in London without anything bad occurring so if I can negotiate driving in that city then I can pretty much handle driving anywhere. Using the other hand to change gears and looking over the other shoulder for my blind spot will involve some retraining of my brain, however. Why oh why did the UK have to be so awkward about driving on the opposite side from most of the rest of the world?

Cheers

Laura

If you want to know about 4-way stops, the person who gets there first is meant to go first, and if two cars get there at the same time, the person on the right is meant to go first. Of course, I don't think many drivers remember this from Drivers Ed; my hometown had a lot of these and many people are too interested in being polite so it's a stalemate. Lots of waving indicating "You go first," "No you," "No, I insist." etc.

[adiiann 163]

She needs to take written and eye exam to get learner's permit. After she gets the learner's permit and she can get driving test. Go to your local department of motor vehicle, pay fee and let her takes exam, if she already know how to drive, she can have her driver's license in a day.

[adiiann 163]

If you want to know about 4-way stops, the person who gets there first is meant to go first, and if two cars get there at the same time, the person on the right is meant to go first. Of course, I don't think many drivers remember this from Drivers Ed; my hometown had a lot of these and many people are too interested in being polite so it's a stalemate. Lots of waving indicating "You go first," "No you," "No, I insist." etc.

I am not too polite. If I stop first, I go first. LoL. I hate people driving below minimum speed esp. when I go to work.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

You will need to get details from your states SOS, if you do not find them online then you need to DRIVE there and find out. Or pick up one of their brochures on the subject. I am not aware of ANY state that issues licenses to foreigners without a test

Canadian's don't need to take a test. Most states will just take the Canadian and switch it over. Except CA.. i think CA is the one state where they can't do that.

For those of you who might know, what are our best options for her to get a Michigan Driver's License and to drive a car?

I couldn't really find it on the SOS website.

1. Does she need to re-test and go thru a driver's test?

2. will the SOS just give her a Michigan license because she has a Japanese one? (granted they drive on the opposite side of the road. craziness)

3. Do i need to get her a driver's permit and teach her?

1. Typically yes

2. Not usually no

3. I think it's best if you hire someone to do it. Many a VJ poster has commented on the stress of teaching their foreign SO to drive in the states (and to this day I hate driving when my husband is in the car, he drives)

I believe this page: http://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,1607,7-127-1627_8669_9040_9042_47086---,00.html is most relevant to you. The box on Step 1 mentions out of state or Canadian licences, neither of which your wife has so she would have to go through the steps from this page. Step 4 says "if you have a valid foreign licence..." so read that.

Edited August 31, 2012 by Vanessa&Tony

[ZamboMichigan 2]

Canadian's don't need to take a test. Most states will just take the Canadian and switch it over. Except CA.. i think CA is the one state where they can't do that.

1. Typically yes

2. Not usually no

3. I think it's best if you hire someone to do it. Many a VJ poster has commented on the stress of teaching their foreign SO to drive in the states (and to this day I hate driving when my husband is in the car, he drives)

I believe this page: http://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,1607,7-127-1627_8669_9040_9042_47086---,00.html is most relevant to you. The box on Step 1 mentions out of state or Canadian licences, neither of which your wife has so she would have to go through the steps from this page. Step 4 says "if you have a valid foreign licence..." so read that.

Since I live in Michigan, and my wife will be here shortly, I have researched this already.

Technically, she can Drive here with her Japanese operators permit per the following treaty enacted in 1949: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/Reciprocity_Agreements_and_Underlying_Authority_170819_7.pdf

It is highly recommended that she does obtain some instruction to be a better defensive driver here. Many driving here could bebefit from this instruction, and yes there are many roundabouts already implemented and more on the way..they are all the rage now.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Topic has been moved from General Immigration forum to Moving Here and Your New Life in America as it is not a specifically immigration related question and more appropriate to this forum.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Moderator hat off . . . .

Canadian's don't need to take a test. Most states will just take the Canadian and switch it over. Except CA.. i think CA is the one state where they can't do that.

I believe this page: http://www.michigan....7086---,00.html is most relevant to you. The box on Step 1 mentions out of state or Canadian licences, neither of which your wife has so she would have to go through the steps from this page. Step 4 says "if you have a valid foreign licence..." so read that.

Actually, just to correct the first statement - every State is different. Some States do accept a straight transfer of Canadian Driver's licenses but not all. Georgia doesn't. I had to do all of the tests over again - eye, written and driving - even though I had been driving without a problem for 33 years. Most of the border states or ones with a high Canadian visitor content (ie Florida) tend to accept Canadian DL as a straight one on one exchange but Southern and interior states generally do not.

You do need to find out how Michigan handles drivers who have foreign licenses and if they have any special considerations for Japanese DL.

Edited September 1, 2012 by Kathryn41

[LauraDP 10]

You might want to contact the DMV in the state you plan to settle to obtain a drivers handbook for your wife so she can begin genning up as much as possible before she takes the exams etc to obtain her license. I contacted the Maryland DMV and they mailed a handbook to the UK for me, which arrived this morning.