Driving after entering USA

[jptl85 25]

Hi All,

I was wondering what people have done in regard to driving in the USA after arrival on K1. I hold a full (clean) UK license. I have today got an International Driving Permit too (just in case).

Will i need to wait until receiving green card after AoS process before applying for Learners Permit / Driving License?

Will i be able to drive on my UK license in the meantime?

Any advice as always would be appreciated..

Jay

[Boiler 45,486]

Go to the DMV site for the State you are moving to and look up the rules for new residents.

[yTess 0]

You should be able to drive without your international license.

To get the US learning permit/drivers license you need to get a social security number along with other documents for identification.

Now to get the social security number you need to be authorized to work in the states, have an EAD card, be a LPR or a US citizen.

I'm not sure you can use your UK license

I'm sorry i meant with**

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

My husband drove on his UK license as a visitor until he got EAD, which allowed him to get a 1year license (because EAD expiry is one year). Greencard got him a normal six-year license. Check your state because they each vary.

Some common things many states will require

1) SSN

2) Proof of immigration status (EAD, greencard, or such)

3) Proof of living at your address like a utility bill in your name, OR your spouse shows one and signs an affidavit for you.

4) Written and driving test.

An International Driving Permit is a translation of your valid license info into many languages so the local police can understand yours better. Assuming your license is in English, they can probably read it. (Do get one if you drive to Germany, France, Italy, etc.)

[Boiler 45,486]

My husband drove on his UK license as a visitor until he got EAD, which allowed him to get a 1year license (because EAD expiry is one year).

OP is immigrating on a K1.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

OP is immigrating on a K1.

Yes I know that.

?????

[Boiler 45,486]

So he will be resident not a visitor.

[JohnR! 5,495]

Hi All,

I was wondering what people have done in regard to driving in the USA after arrival on K1. I hold a full (clean) UK license. I have today got an International Driving Permit too (just in case).

Will i need to wait until receiving green card after AoS process before applying for Learners Permit / Driving License?

Will i be able to drive on my UK license in the meantime?

Any advice as always would be appreciated..

Jay

The actual procedure will depend on the state whither you're moving. DL are issued under state laws.

However, you can quite possibly count on the following:

1 - You can use your UK DL (with your passport) until you can get your permit in your state.

2 - To be on the safe side, wait until you get your greencard before applying for a DL. In most states, if you apply with your I-94, chances are your DL will expire on the same date as your I-94, which means, 90 days from the date you ener the US.

Good luck!

[Novembro 1,763]

1 - You can use your UK DL (with your passport) until you can get your permit in your state.

Don't some states differ on the amount of time you can use your foreign license?

[JohnR! 5,495]

Don't some states differ on the amount of time you can use your foreign license?

Yes, they do and it is normally 6 months, but it it not enforced. In actuality you can use your EU DL as long as it is valid, along with a valid passport until you get your GC. The real incentive for obtaining a US DL is that you will need it to obtain insurance and car registration.

Edited June 2, 2014 by Gegel

[Boiler 45,486]

Don't some states differ on the amount of time you can use your foreign license?

They do, Colorado has changed their rules since I have been here.

The most restrictive one I have seen is California.

Yes, they do and it is normally 6 months, but it it not enforced. In actuality you can use your EU DL as long as it is valid, along with a valid passport until you get your GC. The real incentive for obtaining a US DL is that you will need it to obtain insurance and car registration.

I do not remember any that give new residents that long.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

So he will be resident not a visitor.

I see what you are saying now. I was just stating my K1 husband drove with his UK license until he had something in writing from USCIS granting him more than 90 days in the US, so he could get a license. It was answering the question "what have people done with regard to driving in the USA after arrival on K1." That what he did.

[Kiwinyc 62]

Like Nich-Nick's husband I drove on my UK license in TX until i got my EAD. Then I went and got my TX license. TX says you're supposed to get a TX license after you've been resident for 3 mths but when USCIS considers you a resident and when TX considers you a resident are two different things. Without an EAD I was technically still only a visitor and thats what I was going to say while producing my UK license were I ever stopped and asked to produce a license. I was never pulled over however.

[Boiler 45,486]

Each State has its own rules and who the consider to be resident which has nothing to do with immigration status.

[Novembro 1,763]

Yes, they do and it is normally 6 months, but it it not enforced. In actuality you can use your EU DL as long as it is valid, along with a valid passport until you get your GC. The real incentive for obtaining a US DL is that you will need it to obtain insurance and car registration.

I thought so. Ali got pulled over about three months after he got here and got slapped with a "driving without a license". We thought he had 90 days, apparently it was 60. Womp womp.