Driving help - MA!!!

[markjbankover 1]

Hello,

I hope everyone had good Xmas' and happy new year to all!!

So i've been settled here in boston for a few weeks now and moving forward with my new life. i wanted some advice in regards to driving.

I have a uk license however the card expires on the 6th january 2013, photo card section expires. I am due to take my theory test this coming friday and hopefully if i pass will schedule actual driving test for as soon as possible.

If however i fail and this is delayed, does anyone know the stance on driving in MA on an expired photo card license ?

Any advice would be great ?

[Boiler 45,535]

You have a valid license, or you do not!

[LeftCoastLady 441]

Driving on an expired license...

[markjbankover 1]

I have a uk license with the photo due to expire on the 6th january

[Labhrais 6]

Do you have your paper licence - the one that doesn't expire until your 70th birthday?

You could also renew the photo companion in the UK if you have an address you can get it sent to. I've kept my UK licence valid isung my parents address.

ETA: THis may be of help: Renewing photo on liicence.

Edited January 1, 2013 by Labhrais

[Enigma11561 336]

If your license expires, you have no license. The written tests are generally pretty easy. Upon passing ( and this may be different in each state), you have the right to drive if there is someone else in the car with you who already has a license. The hard part is the driving test. You need to remember which side of the road you are on !

[Boiler 45,535]

It is against the rules, but if you can renew your UK one.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

You have a year in MA to drive on your foreign VALID license. As it is expiring then it won't be valid so you can't use it. Here: http://www.mass.gov/rmv/license/international.htm

The other issue is at what point MA considers you a "resident of MA" and at what point that means you can no longer drive on a foreign license.

Also, apply for you license ASAP because they won't accept your I-94 once it's expired AND it doesn't say anywhere how long your license will be made valid for. It might only be valid till the I-94 expires... just bear that in mind. I wasn't able to drive for quite some time, one of the negatives of a K1.

[churawan 14]

You have a year in MA to drive on your foreign VALID license. As it is expiring then it won't be valid so you can't use it. Here: http://www.mass.gov/rmv/license/international.htm

The other issue is at what point MA considers you a "resident of MA" and at what point that means you can no longer drive on a foreign license.

Also, apply for you license ASAP because they won't accept your I-94 once it's expired AND it doesn't say anywhere how long your license will be made valid for. It might only be valid till the I-94 expires... just bear that in mind. I wasn't able to drive for quite some time, one of the negatives of a K1.

You don't have a year to drive on your UK license in MA.. You have 90days, you also have to ensure you are added to the insurance incase something happens.... I added my fiance before we got married as she was driving her car around and wanted to ensure we were covered... The written test in MA is easy if you study, the part that will be hard if not studied is the questions on alcohol, drunk driving and alike.... You will need to know the rules and penalties for each.. Pla (Churawan) was able to get through it only because she studied for it... Then schedule your road test ASAP, you will need a licensed driver with you in the backseat and a car with a hand brake for the roadtest.... Good luck!!!! And if your license is expired it is not valid so be careful, if you have a valid license than you can use it and the permit to drive yourself while practicing... Make sure you can do a "3-point" turn and paralell parking.. Other than that if you can handle the car and drive slow during the test you will be fine....

[Darnell 8,478]

do you need a license in MA to drive a 49.5 cc scooter? if no, suggest you get one soonish ( a scooter, that is )

V & T has a point, though, yer I-94 is going to expire within 90 days of 2012-12-10 so maybe it's time to arrange for alternative transport ?

[VanessaTony 3,567]

You don't have a year to drive on your UK license in MA.. You have 90days, you also have to ensure you are added to the insurance incase something happens...

Can you show a link showing 90 days? I was trying to find that one that talked about becoming a resident of MA because I think that would be the same for people with out-of-state licenses (but the out-of-state link didn't mention a timeframe just "until you're a resident")

The link I provided clearly states a year for visiting, and technically you could try saying you ARE still visiting until you actually get your EAD because you don't have a legal status... but I wouldn't really want to risk that either :S

They certainly don't like to make it easy for K1's...

[scotinmass 588]

Can you show a link showing 90 days? I was trying to find that one that talked about becoming a resident of MA because I think that would be the same for people with out-of-state licenses (but the out-of-state link didn't mention a timeframe just "until you're a resident")

The link I provided clearly states a year for visiting, and technically you could try saying you ARE still visiting until you actually get your EAD because you don't have a legal status... but I wouldn't really want to risk that either :S

They certainly don't like to make it easy for K1's...

There is no grace period in MA. You need a MA license from day 1 of becoming a resident. Only residents of MA can apply for a MA license so the fact that people on a K1 are allowed to apply for one means they are considered residents so your foreign license is not valid to drive here.

But the police do not know much about immigration law.

I drove for a year on my UK license but I was never stopped and asked for it. I felt it was worth the risk and if I had been asked I'd have played dumb. I've now had my MA license for 2 years. The road test was the easiest thing I've ever had to do. The permit test is harder. You have to know everything that is in the driver's manual. Even stuff that doesn't apply to you. I was asked a lot of questions about the junior operator's license and I'm in my 40s.

[scotinmass 588]

Once you have established residence in Massachusetts, you must

obtain a Massachusetts driver's license to retain your driving

privileges. There is no grace period.

RMV link

[markjbankover 1]

thanks everyone for their advice.

i actually went today to take my permit test, however on the way i soon realised that i forgot my passport and immigration documents, so i am now taking this next thursday.

ah well

[PantomimeGoose 59]

Just remember that "the pavement" has a different meaning in the US. My husband missed "What should you do if your tires leave the pavement?" because he thought it was a trick question