Would it be legal or illegal?.....

[JRF 117]

I really wouldn't worry about and just drive. Police isn't going to evaluate your immigration status. Very early in my journey I got stopped at sobriety checkpoint and state trooper didn't quite like my foreign license (haven't had time to get OH one yet), but eventually let me go. Worst thing that could happen was I would have had switched places with my wife that was sitting right next to me.

Maybe they won't in Ohio, but try that in Arizona. They will care about immigration status. Switching places sounds fun...until it you get caught.

[S-C 21]

Unfortunately not. I have to wait for my SS# and green card before I can trade my UK driving license for a US Driving license... Luckily the Mississippi Highway patrol also confirmed that I do not need to re-take my driving test, but I do need to take a computer test at a cost of $7 (Relief )

Yay! Nice to see someone else in Mississippi.

I am yet to move across, however I have been looking this kind of stuff up just so I know what i have to do when I get there. I have an Australian licence (I'm an Australian citizen). I looked up the DMV website for Mississippi and read that if you have a foreign licence you have to do the Learner's Permit test (the computer test), then take a driver's test in your own car that has you on the insurance. I thought it was ridiculous I would have to take a driving test after driving for 15 years which is literally half my life, but that's what it says.

If you get confirmation of this I would be very interested in that information!

[Scom 5]

Yay! Nice to see someone else in Mississippi.

I am yet to move across, however I have been looking this kind of stuff up just so I know what i have to do when I get there. I have an Australian licence (I'm an Australian citizen). I looked up the DMV website for Mississippi and read that if you have a foreign licence you have to do the Learner's Permit test (the computer test), then take a driver's test in your own car that has you on the insurance. I thought it was ridiculous I would have to take a driving test after driving for 15 years which is literally half my life, but that's what it says.

If you get confirmation of this I would be very interested in that information!

Hello fellow Mississippian I was hoping because I spoke to someone direct at highway patrol that I would get a correct answer... I can see someone else has kindly posted a link for Mississippi so will have to check it out, what a bummer if I do have to take my driving test all over again I will have a good look and also ring highway patrol again and keep you posted.... in the mean time I have added you to friends list so we can keep each other update

[S-C 21]

Fantastic!

[Scom 5]

Fantastic!

OK... I have gone onto the MS highway patrol page with regards to NON-US residents applying for a US License. It is so vague and does not actually tell you if you need to retake an actual driving test.. my husband and a few of my friends visited their web page previously and could not find an answer to this which is why I called MS Highway patrol directly. I will call them again today and explain my previous call yesterday and to request confirmation that a computer test only is required. I will email you as soon as I know... fingers crossed!!!

According to their website, a SSN is not required.

http://www.dps.state.ms.us/driver-services/new-drivers-license/non-u-s-citizen-information/

Thank you for the link

[rin and john 71]

I would contact Driver's Services. Email on website.

http://www.dps.state.ms.us/driver-services/new-drivers-license/contact-information/

Edited February 5, 2014 by rin and john

[Scom 5]

I would contact Driver's Services. Email on website.

http://www.dps.state.ms.us/driver-services/new-drivers-license/contact-information/

Thank you I will do that!

[Britabroad 0]

The MA test is a joke . Literally drove around the block once and reversed and that was it 5 minutes of diving to wait 3 hours in the rmv.

[Dave&Roza 748]

Hi Everyone

Very random Question... Mississippi Law states that as a UK Driving license holder I am legally allowed to drive in America...but only if I am a "VISITOR". As someone who has applied for AOS and awaiting my interview date (March 4th) would I, in the eyes of law, be recognized as a visitor? My first reaction would be no, but wanted to throw the question out there and get some opinions and advice.

(FYI - Never driven here as I never wanted to take the risk, but out of interest called Mississippi highway patrol who stated as a visitor of the united states a UK driving license holder can legally drive here)

In Colorado you must get a CO DL within 30 days of establishing RESIDENCY in the state. They list a whole bunch of things and one is the amount of time spent in the state. I think I figured my wife could go 4 months before being required to have a CO DL. That aside, the bigger question is insurance and what is and is not covered if the foreign drive has an accident and needs to file a claim. Are they covered under the provisions of "loaning" the car to someone. Is a foreign drive even covered under the current policy or must they be a legal driver with a DL issued by another state? The insurance company's job is to make money, so they will find any loophole they can to deny a claim.

Dave

[*Snowdrop* 604]

This topic is always a state by state issue. There are some very different rules and consequences depending on where you live. I've seen several posts on this board over the years where people in California have run into problems over being a 'resident' in that difficult stage if AOSing. Just the other day I looked up the Florida details for someone on this board and they had a much broader definition of when you are a visitor / resident.

So it can be 30, 60, or 90 days or longer depending on where you live. But some

The problem is the police won't always know the rules for immigrants so it's worth printing the pages from the DMV to take with you when you drive so that you can explain your current situation.

Also - you should not have to 'exchange' your UK licence - you will still need it when you go home for a visit. It's different than when people exchange one state's licence for another.

And the road tests over here are usually unbelievably easy compared to the UK test. I had to just drive around a short block and that was it.

The Mississippi DPS website is not very comprehensive

[NikLR 13,227]

Every state is different. It's important to go to your county DMV and ask in person.

In Colorado actually it takes 90 (or 30.. have to look it up) days to be deemed a resident and then you have 30 (or 90?) days to get a license unless you're active military. It took me almost that long because of issues with my SAVE db and an error on the DMV screen that needed to be fixed internally before I could proceed. Even after it had been fixed, and I had my print out from the SAVE db site, they wouldn't do it without the letter from the Department of Revenue that it was fixed! And that was talking to a supervisor. Sigh.

Edited February 5, 2014 by NLR

[fantonledzepp 159]

After a period of 30 days I believe that makes you a resident. I ran in to an issue with my wife here in NY. She had an Ecuadorian license and a valid NYS learners permit. Under the law after 30 days of living in NY she had to switch but the gray side she could drive by her self with a NYS learners permit and the Ecuadorian license. She did get pulled over and issued tickets because the police officer did not know the law. A simple letter to the DA and judge siting the law ( or in my case pointing them to the DMV's website) got the case dismissed and now she went on to get her USA drivers license.

Actually, in NYS it's 90 days. After 90 days of continuous stay, you're considered a resident of the state.

Edited February 5, 2014 by fantonledzepp

[Tracey&Greg 35]

Oh no..not another Mississippi driver! Just joking My poor hubby is adjusting slowly to how we drive in alabama.

[nobbie 105]

It surely is state by state and the only way to really know is to contact the local DMV place. Here is MD, you can drive on your UK licence for 60 days, then you have to do a 3 hour drug and alcohol course, theory yest and road test. They are all ridiculously easy compared to the UK which may account for why the drivers are so bad here. I was only the second person the examiner had seen turn up in car with a manual gearbox. However, here (MD) , if you are from S Korea or Germany they have a reciprocal agreement, figure that one out.

[gwenstar 66]

My friend did AOS in New York and he had to retake EVERYTHING Blah!!! I am so relieved to say the least that all I need to do is a computer test.

Oh New York....good to know! I didn't even think about that for my husband. Not like it is an issue that will be coming up anytime soon as we are still being processed at NVC. haha. The good thing about these forums is that it makes me realize or think about issues I never would have until it came up. Now I feel more prepared