US Driver's licenses & buying a car

[LauraDP 10]

I am not sure if this is the right area of the forum in which to post this question so forgive me if I have got it wrong and feel free to move my post.

I am a UK national and my husband is a dual UK/US national but we both only have UK driver's licenses. We are going to be relocating to Pennsylvania. My husband will be moving in the next 6-8 weeks (depending on when his job contract comes through) to start work, find us a place to live and furniture etc. We have four kids so the children and I cannot move out until we at least have the basics or it would be too tough on the kids.

One of the first things, therefore, my husband has to do is get a car. Is it correct that he will need a US driver's license to purchase a car and insure it? (Even if paying cash and / or buying from a private seller).

We have been trying to make contact with the PA DMV but we cannot submit their eform because it requires a US driver's license # and a VIN # for a US car - which we obviously don't have! And when I tried to get family to submit it on our behalf it would not work either because they have out of state licenses (we don't know anyone in PA). That is why I have resorted to posting this query here.

My husband read somewhere that in order to pass the practical bit of the driving test he would need to have his own car. But how can he have his own car when he doesn't have a US license? That seems to be a Catch 22. What is the way around it?

Can my husband rent a car using his UK license even though he will be a permanent resident at that point rather that a tourist? If so I suppose he could use a rental car to do the test. Would that be allowed?

Does anyone know how long you can drive on a UK license in PA? When we thought we were moving to MD, I got in touch with the MD DMV and they told me I had just 30 days to pass. But it seems that to even be able to sit the test in PA you need to have two proofs of address and it is highly unlikely you would get a utility bill within 30 days. I know non-residents can drive on their foreign licenses for up to a year but can that apply to immigrants too?

This probably seems like a trivial topic but to us it is pretty critical because the whole car thing causing a further delay is going to mean that my kids are apart from their Dad over Christmas which is going to be really upsetting for them.

Thanks in advance for any response to my questions.

Best wishes

Laura

[Owen_London 65]

As you've worked out, license rules vary by state. Your best bet is probably to phone them, I'm guessing on the out of state number, from UK, 001-717-412-5300. Bear in mind that the first people you talk to sometimes won't really know.

[LauraDP 10]

As you've worked out, license rules vary by state. Your best bet is probably to phone them, I'm guessing on the out of state number, from UK, 001-717-412-5300. Bear in mind that the first people you talk to sometimes won't really know.

Is that the number for the PA DMV? Because I found their eform to contact them online but not a phone number.

The eform would not work because it required a US address, US license number and VIN number to be able to make contact with them - none of which I had - and when I asked family in the US to complete it on my behalf it still failed because they were out of state (at least we assume that was why it didn't work since three different people tried entering their various numbers). So frustrating!

And, yes, good tip on assuming the front line people might not have answers to such a non-standard query. We are finding that to be the case with just about everything.

Thanks for responding.

Laura

[Boiler 46,016]

He can use his UK DL for so long, varies by state, see state DMV. Seems CA is shortest, usually between 30 and 90 days before he has to have a US License.

Insurance will just cost a lot more without a US License.

Buying a car, well not an issue in CO, no idea if PA has some weird rules but a quick call to your favourite dealer would tell you.

A lot of people use something like International Autource?, I think I have the name right.

[Owen_London 65]

Is that the number for the PA DMV? Because I found their eform to contact them online but not a phone number.

The eform would not work because it required a US address, US license number and VIN number to be able to make contact with them - none of which I had - and when I asked family in the US to complete it on my behalf it still failed because they were out of state (at least we assume that was why it didn't work since three different people tried entering their various numbers). So frustrating!

And, yes, good tip on assuming the front line people might not have answers to such a non-standard query. We are finding that to be the case with just about everything.

Thanks for responding.

Laura

This is where I found it: http://www.dot33.state.pa.us/contact_us/index.shtml

[Patsgal54 18]

I would suggest your husband should go ahead and get his US license ASAP. He will need to download the PA drivers manual (it should be on their DMV's website) and study that so he can take the written test, then he can take the road test. Here in KY you can drive on a foreign license for up to a year, but insuring a car on a UK license was going to be very expensive (although there are companies that will do it). I am not sure about buying a car though. I took my test in a rental car, they allow it as long as your name is on the rental agreement - at least they do here in KY, I should think they would in PA too.

[mindthegap 2,601]

You can rent just fine on a UK license- immigration status doesn't come into it. I know that Hertz do cheaper long term deals so that may be useful for you.

In some states you don't even need to take the road test if you have a UK licence - just the written test is required. Worth checking up on this as it can save hassle.

You will need your social security number to get a licence though!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Plan on a written and road test. I am not aware of any state that waives it for UK licenses. Canadian license yes. And Germany seems to have worked out some individual agreements with many states.

[LauraDP 10]

Thank you for your replies.

I have been trying to phone the DMV in PA on and off all afternoon but it has just been ringing out. I guess they are maybe not working because of Independence Day yesterday or are on a skeleton workforce.

A bit more research has shown that PA will not permit the test to be taken in a rental car.

This is all getting very frustrating.

My husband wants to get his US license asap (even if they do allow him to use his UK license for up to a year) because we are aware that it is preferable for practical and financial reasons. I will also aim to pass my test asap but, of course, by then my husband will have bought a car I can take my test in so that bit of this problem will be resolved.

I guess the crux of the problem is that a US license is required in order to buy a car but in order to get a US license we need to own a car. Catch 22. Frustrating.

Thanks for all the responses.

Best wishes

Laura

[Dave&Roza 748]

Thank you for your replies.

I have been trying to phone the DMV in PA on and off all afternoon but it has just been ringing out. I guess they are maybe not working because of Independence Day yesterday or are on a skeleton workforce.

A bit more research has shown that PA will not permit the test to be taken in a rental car.

This is all getting very frustrating.

My husband wants to get his US license asap (even if they do allow him to use his UK license for up to a year) because we are aware that it is preferable for practical and financial reasons. I will also aim to pass my test asap but, of course, by then my husband will have bought a car I can take my test in so that bit of this problem will be resolved.

I guess the crux of the problem is that a US license is required in order to buy a car but in order to get a US license we need to own a car. Catch 22. Frustrating.

Thanks for all the responses.

Best wishes

Laura

I do not see why you need a US license to buy a car. You need the US license to insure the car and you need the insurance in order to get license plates for the car (a different catch-22, but still there anyway). Your husband needs to find an insurance agent that can help him--a good agent should be able to do this and that is why you pay them. He can buy a car and then get insurance on it so he can register it. Then he can take the driving test in that car and once he passes, change his insurance. He might look into a driving school as here in CO they offer driving tests in their cars and the DMV accepts those driving tests for issuing a license. One thing I have noticed about the whole getting a license when your an immigrant adult--the US sucks! It is geared towards the 16 YO needing to get their first DL. No thought is given to a 30-40 YO adult that has never driven. The advantage we have is that I am in the US with a car and insurance and she can drive that car with permission--I truly feel your frustration.

Good luck,

Dave

Edited July 5, 2013 by Dave&Roza

[LauraDP 10]

I do not see why you need a US license to buy a car. You need the US license to insure the car and you need the insurance in order to get license plates for the car (a different catch-22, but still there anyway). Your husband needs to find an insurance agent that can help him--a good agent should be able to do this and that is why you pay them. He can buy a car and then get insurance on it so he can register it. Then he can take the driving test in that car and once he passes, change his insurance. He might look into a driving school as here in CO they offer driving tests in their cars and the DMV accepts those driving tests for issuing a license. One thing I have noticed about the whole getting a license when your an immigrant adult--the US sucks! It is geared towards the 16 YO needing to get their first DL. No thought is given to a 30-40 YO adult that has never driven. The advantage we have is that I am in the US with a car and insurance and she can drive that car with permission--I truly feel your frustration.

Good luck,

Dave

I was told by family in the US that they would not allow the car to leave the forecourt unless the buyer has valid insurance and that the insurance can only be obtained with a US license. That was what I was basing it on.

He shouldn't need any lessons (I will for sure!) because he has a lot of experience of driving in the US as my in-laws lived there until they retired. It is just that he was always there as a visitor before rather than as a resident so always drove on his UK license.

You are absolutely right that the system seems to be designed for young, first time drivers who can use their parents' vehicles for the test. I remember when I contacted the MD DMV they took ages to even comprehend what it was I was asking.

Thanks for your reply

Laura

[mindthegap 2,601]

Plan on a written and road test. I am not aware of any state that waives it for UK licenses. Canadian license yes. And Germany seems to have worked out some individual agreements with many states.

From experience, NJ.

[Boiler 46,016]

All the information is on the PA DMV web site, no need to call them.

You seem to have made a number of incorrect assumptions.

[LauraDP 10]

All the information is on the PA DMV web site, no need to call them.

You seem to have made a number of incorrect assumptions.

Really? I am not sure I have formed any assumptions, to be honest, as the biggest part of our problem is that we cannot find precise, specific and unambiguous information on which to base any such assumptions. I do, however, fully accept that I may well be interpreting the information on the PA DMV website incorrectly. I guess as an English teacher that is one of my pitfalls - if language is not specific enough then it is open to interpretation.

Thanks

Laura

[Ozz777 23]

Really? I am not sure I have formed any assumptions, to be honest, as the biggest part of our problem is that we cannot find precise, specific and unambiguous information on which to base any such assumptions. I do, however, fully accept that I may well be interpreting the information on the PA DMV website incorrectly. I guess as an English teacher that is one of my pitfalls - if language is not specific enough then it is open to interpretation.

Thanks

Laura

Hi Laura, here are the PA publications on what proofs you will need, to obtain your drivers license as both a citizen and a non-citizen. In your first post, I believe you said that your husband was a dual citizen of US and UK, but later said that he would be a permanent resident, which one is correct? Just scroll down the appropriate forms and note which situation applies to your husband and to you. It seems that either way, you'll need a social security card, or an official letter from the social security administration. It only takes a few days to obtain a SS card, once you apply.

http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/pdotforms/fact_sheets/pub195nc.pdf for non citizens

http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/pdotforms/fact_sheets/pub195us.pdf for citizens

I agree that PA government agencies can be difficult to deal with or obtain accurate information from, as I lived there from 2006-2011 and had many similar issues. You have to remember that, with the exception of the Philadelphia area, people don't really move into PA in great numbers, so it is kind of a closed society. I know that when I told people that I had moved there from Seattle, they were like... Why? Lol

As for buying a car from a private seller for cash, that should be no problem. And if you can provide the proofs needed for a license, it will be no problem insuring and registering it. The PA DMV claims that you can't use a rental car, but when doing the google search below, one will find that their are many companies that offer this very service in PA. Oh, and get used to everyone in Pennsylvania always calling it P-A, not Pennsylvania. Another quirk of the great ole USA.

https://www.google.com/search?q=pa+drivers+test+rental+car&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&channel=fflb&channel=rcs

I would also call some american insurance companies like state farm, allstate or geico, and explain your situation to a customer service person and see what they say. If you need numbers, let us know and we can get them for you.

Best of luck, and I hope it works out well for you guys.