Can driving, ""Get me into trouble?"" (Am on 2 yr. GC now)

[Jon and Krissy 452]

I have had my 2 year GC for a few months now, and I have a good job. I also, have my 6 month driver's license, and have become a good driver. In South Carolina, a drivers permit like this requires, that a licensed driver be with me. Sometimes I drive to work ""BY MYSELF"" and have no provlems. IF I was stopped in a "road check" what kind of problems would I have, as far as my 2 year GC, which I already have, and with the state of South Carolina, as I only need a couple of months until I can take my "perminet" drivers exam. Any comments appreciated!

Don't be an idiot, take the driving test and become a licensed driver. A learner's permit is NOT a driving license!

[Bill and Vicky 25]

I am not law enforcement or an attorney, but...

When I was sixteen, I was stopped for not having a licensed drive in the front seat with me. I had my learner's permit. It was a small town in Massachusetts, and the officer had me go home with instructions to tell my father (who was in the Lions Club with the officer and would ask about it later). I wasn't given a ticket, and my father and I worked out the details of my "punishment".

If you know that you are operating the vehicle without a licensed driver in the front seat, you are violating the law. Your learner's permit may be revoked, making it even longer before you get a regular driver's license. Since you're "illegally" driving the car, the car can be towed and the owner will have to recover it. (If you're the owner, and you go to recover it, you have to have the licensed driver with you or you can't drive it out of the impound lot.

If you're not legally driving the car, then the insurance may or may not be in effect. (My insurance company tells me that if I'm in an accident and I'm not wearing my seat belt, they can use the requirement that I have to be wearing a belt at all times to indicate contributory negligence and reduce any awards to me.)

Obviously if you do something dumb like DUI or unsafe driving, you could be taken to jail. Depending on how much of a "jerk" the arresting officer is, you could also have issues with your CIS paperwork. Just because you're legal doesn't mean that they'll accept it right away. If you spend the night in a jail, that's something that will come up later in the immigration process.

I'd strongly stress that you *don't* get caught driving without a licensed driver in the front seat. But if they stop you, admit what you've done and be respectful. DO NOT RUN FROM THE POLICE.

Bill

[Boiler 45,657]

Have you advised your Insurer that she is driving against State regulations?

[Hank_ 9,174]

I have had my 2 year GC for a few months now, and I have a good job. I also, have my 6 month driver's license, and have become a good driver. In South Carolina, a drivers permit like this requires, that a licensed driver be with me. Sometimes I drive to work ""BY MYSELF"" and have no provlems. IF I was stopped in a "road check" what kind of problems would I have, as far as my 2 year GC, which I already have, and with the state of South Carolina, as I only need a couple of months until I can take my "perminet" drivers exam. Any comments appreciated!

Wouldn't affect your GC but you are basically driving without a valid license (being that for the permit to be valid you need a licensed driver with you) and that has it own issues.

If you are driving very well by yourself....... Go take the test! (I know S.C. has that 6 month requirement)

(just be careful out there, drive safe )

Edited February 9, 2014 by Hank_

[f&c 50]

Like others have said, the laws vary from state to state. Officer discrection also comes into play. I police in Georgia and have run into this several times. I usually issue a citation for driving on the wrong class of license or license class restrictions and have them contact a licensed driver to get the vehicle. I started a thread similar to this awhile ago.

[jerni 24]

Nobody seems to have asked if you have a license from your home country... Were you licensed to drive before you moved to the US?

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

Nobody seems to have asked if you have a license from your home country... Were you licensed to drive before you moved to the US?

Like most states I'm aware of, OP wouldn't need the 6-month permit if he did, so the answer presumably is no.

-----

Driver License Testing

You DO have to take the knowledge and skills tests and obtain and hold a beginner permit for 180 days IF one of the following applies to you:

You cannot present a valid driver license from your home country.

Your home country does not have formally established reciprocity with the United States (see the list below).

You DO NOT have to take the knowledge or skills tests if:

Your out-of-country license credential is valid (unexpired).

Youre from a country that has formally established a reciprocity agreement with South Carolina. These countries include:

Canada.

Mexico.

France.

Germany.

American Samoa.

Guam.

Puerto Rico.

Virgin Islands.

Federated State of Micronesia.

Republic of Marshall Islands.

Republic of Palau.

http://www.dmv.org/sc-south-carolina/apply-license.php

Edited February 10, 2014 by SusieQQQ

[aussie_jason 195]

Nobody seems to have asked if you have a license from your home country... Were you licensed to drive before you moved to the US?

Foreign driver licenses are only valid if you are visiting and most states require you to at least take the driving test in order to get a state issued license so I don't think that matters.

[f&c 50]

In Georgia, you must carry a passport with a foreign license. If the license is not in English, you have to have an international driving permit with it. If you're in the state for more than 30 days, a foreign license is no longer valid and can be charged/arrested for driving without a license.

[jerni 24]

Foreign driver licenses are only valid if you are visiting and most states require you to at least take the driving test in order to get a state issued license so I don't think that matters.

It matters in regard to if you can still drive while going through the licensing process. I have a UK license which allowed me to drive without any restrictions. You have to take the written and driving test in NY, you cannot trade in your UK license (unlike New Jersey for example). When I got my learners permit, it comes with the restriction that you must have a person over the age of 21 with you while driving. After getting the learners permit you have to take a 4 hour class then schedule the road test, this takes well over 30 days (getting a test date alone in my city is 30 days out).

Seemed odd to suddenly be restricted, so I called the DMV and asked if my NY learners permit restrictions override my UK license. After being on hold for an eternity they came back and said no it doesn't, you can still drive without someone over the age of 21 and when you go to the test you just show the DMV person your UK license to waive the requirement of having a person over 21 with you for the test. I asked how long this applies and they said getting the learners permit satisfies the 30 day requirement and to "do the driving test as soon as possible". I did the test as soon as possible, however they never indicated there was a specific time-frame to complete the process.

Edited February 10, 2014 by jerni

[Boiler 45,657]

It will be on their web side for new residents.