Driving after entering USA

[JohnR! 5,495]

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

Most, if not all, do.

[Boiler 46,232]

Colorado is 90 days, less if you are working.

I think you are confusing visitor and resident.

[JohnR! 5,495]

In most states the DMV will recognize your EU DL for as long as you are under process. He should not have been cited.

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.

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.

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.

Colorado is 90 days, less if you are working.

I think you are confusing visitor and resident.

Precisely. For residents the DMV tends to be more lenient.

[Boiler 46,232]

You are horribly wrong and could put someone in big trouble. For a start I have never seen any specific mention of EU licenses being different.

Lots of examples of people who have been pulled for having no license. I remember someone on another board who was doing the VWP Express and got involved in a prang had the same issue. He had entered as a visitor but somehow told the Cops he was staying.

[JohnR! 5,495]

You are horribly wrong and could put someone in big trouble. For a start I have never seen any specific mention of EU licenses being different.

Lots of examples of people who have been pulled for having no license. I remember someone on another board who was doing the VWP Express and got involved in a prang had the same issue. He had entered as a visitor but somehow told the Cops he was staying.

You are mixing visitors and residents. K-1 visas are not considered visitors.

here: http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/immigrate/types/family/fiance-k-1.html

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

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.

In 2008, it was only 30 days after becoming a resident. We went with the "visitor" thing like you. He did get pulled over twice and showed the UK license. First time was the morning after we came together through POE. October 1. Got stopped for a Sept inspection sticker on the car. Geez! The town had been literally shut down due to a hurricane. So first morning home at 8:30 am, we were headed to do the inspection and got stopped. We had the papers in the console and said were were actually on our way and named the station. He said okay. Second time was speeding. He was not cited for failure to have a TX license. Maybe we are better at talking our way out of things than others.

Most states don't even spell it out what makes you a resident required to have a state license. I've only come across one and it said in plain language "you are considered a resident of [forgot state] when you--1) take a job; 2) enroll children in school; 3) ??; 4) ??" It would help if they all spelled it out.

This is an often debated topic in the Moving Here forum. Some drive on their foreign license. Some don't.

[Boiler 46,232]

Seems Colorado have changed it again since I last looked, but the web site info is pretty clear:

Foreign Nationals living in Colorado who would like a driver’s license must meet the following requirements:

• Pass the written knowledge test
  
• Pass a vision screening test
  
• Present identification which prove all four of Colorado’s identification requirements.
  
• Present proof of current Colorado address
  
• Obtain a Colorado Instruction Permit
  
• Pass the road test
  

For more detailed information on getting a Colorado driver’s license, please visit the DMV’s website.

If you would like to verify that you have all of the necessary identification paperwork, please click the button below. The following pages will help you to select your document(s), ensure that they meet all requirements, and give you a list to print out and take with you to the driver’s license office.

Colorado Requirements for Residency:

• Own or operate a business in Colorado.
  
• Are gainfully employed in Colorado.
  
• Reside in Colorado for 90 consecutive days.
  

After becoming a Colorado resident, you have 30 days to qualify for a Colorado driver license and 90 days to register your vehicle .

[jkelly07 120]

many people come to visit the usa and rent cars not a problem as long as you have driver valid driver license from your country.

[jkelly07 120]

many people come to visit the usa and rent cars not a problem as long as you have driver valid driver license from your country.

[Boiler 46,232]

True

But completely irrelevant.

[markonline1 11]

Unusually for this forum, a tonne of incorrect info in this thread! If the OP is coming to California on a K1, you can drive for the first 10 days. All the info you need is in the CA drivers handbook which you'll need to look at if you want to pass the driving test. Other states, no idea.

[S-C 21]

Seems Colorado have changed it again since I last looked, but the web site info is pretty clear:

Foreign Nationals living in Colorado who would like a driver’s license must meet the following requirements:

• Pass the written knowledge test
• Pass a vision screening test
• Present identification which prove all four of Colorado’s identification requirements.
• Present proof of current Colorado address
• Obtain a Colorado Instruction Permit
• Pass the road test

For more detailed information on getting a Colorado driver’s license, please visit the DMV’s website.

If you would like to verify that you have all of the necessary identification paperwork, please click the button below. The following pages will help you to select your document(s), ensure that they meet all requirements, and give you a list to print out and take with you to the driver’s license office.

Colorado Requirements for Residency:

• Own or operate a business in Colorado.
• Are gainfully employed in Colorado.
• Reside in Colorado for 90 consecutive days.

After becoming a Colorado resident, you have 30 days to qualify for a Colorado driver license and 90 days to register your vehicle .

This allows you to drive on your foreign license for 120 days (or roughly 4 months), due to:

- You still being considered a visitor under Colorado law for the first three months you live in Colorado; and

- having 30 days to obtain a Colorado licence from when you are considered to be a Colorado resident.

However, if you want to be cheeky and you happen to get pulled over outside this time frame, I am sure you could talk the officer pulling you over that you have not been living in Colorado for more three months, therefore you are not a resident. But I wouldn't advise anyone to break the law.

[Boiler 46,232]

You just did.

[S-C 21]

I didn't advise anyone to do it. I merely pointed out you could do it. If you want to be a smart ### at least be good at it.

[JohnR! 5,495]

This allows you to drive on your foreign license for 120 days (or roughly 4 months), due to:

- You still being considered a visitor under Colorado law for the first three months you live in Colorado; and

- having 30 days to obtain a Colorado licence from when you are considered to be a Colorado resident.

However, if you want to be cheeky and you happen to get pulled over outside this time frame, I am sure you could talk the officer pulling you over that you have not been living in Colorado for more three months, therefore you are not a resident. But I wouldn't advise anyone to break the law.

in practice you can go well over those 120 days. In most states, the police will accept a foreign DL and valid passport. The pressure to get a US DL is to prove residency and for registration and insurance purposes. In that sense you are not breaking any laws.