UK (foreign) Driving License in Michigan - and some other questions...

[anon2018 5]

Hi all,

I'm getting a little confused about all the conflicting info on the web about this. I cannot find any information about how long I can drive in Michigan on my UK Driving License. For a lot of states it's up to 90 days, but others are just 30 days!

Another question is - I know that once I take my MI driving exams, the license will only be valid until the end of my K1 period - and that I'll have to renew after that. Can I renew it with an i-797 NOA1 notice for Adjustment of Status? Or would I need to wait until employment authorization (EAD), thus meaning I wouldn't be able to drive for (potentially) 1.5 months?

Thanks for any help!

[Ian H. 207]

I'm not sure if they would accept the NOA1 for the AOS, but they should since that serves as proof of your authorized stay. The following link suggests that they should be able to accept it as long as it shows your period of authorized stay. Refer to the second page, for applicants with temporary legal presence:

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/sos/Applying_for_lic_or_ID_SOS_428_222146_7.pdf

[Boiler 45,501]

Each State does its own thing, and changes the rules, Colorado has changed since I have been here. I think twice.

California for example is 10 days for new residents.

Look up the local DMV web site and see what they allow new residents, and what you are required to provide as a new resident.

[Ian H. 207]

If they give you a hard time ask to speak to a supervisor and inform them that your NOA1 gives you authorized stay.

If that fails you would have to wait for your EAD, but only do so after you have complained enough.

[Boiler 45,501]

NOA 1 puts you in limbo land, works in some states, not in others.

[Ian H. 207]

Well in the link that I provided him it says that they can accept "other" DHS documents with either an I-94 or A number. So since the AOS would have his A number on it, they should be able to verify his status. They do it electronically according to that pdf.

[anon2018 5]

NOA 1 puts you in limbo land, works in some states, not in others.

If that is the case, I definitely need to work out whether I can drive on the UK license in the meantime! I couldn't find any relevant info on DMV, only that I don't need an international drivers permit, and that:

You are allowed to drive in Michigan as long as your license, from your native country, remains valid. An International Driving Permit is strongly suggested because it acts as a translation for your information, but these documents are not required.

Does this mean I could theoretically just drive on the UK license perpetually? I guess the only thing that it would affect is insurance costs...

http://www.dmv.org/mi-michigan/apply-license.php#Non-Citizens

Edited August 10, 2014 by jgadsby

[Boiler 45,501]

http://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-1627_8669_9040_9043-313030--,00.html

Implication is that it needs an expiry date.

If you are in the U.S. and have temporary legal presence, you will be issued a limited-term driver's license. A limited-term license is valid for only as long as you are authorized to be in the country. If your stay is longer than four years, you may be eligible to renew your license but its expiration date will not extend beyond the end date of your temporary legal presence. Limited-term licenses are not available in the enhanced version.

http://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-50050-192748--,00.html

Edited August 10, 2014 by Boiler

[anon2018 5]

http://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-1627_8669_9040_9043-313030--,00.html

Implication is that it needs an expiry date.

And obviously that would either be my EAD or Green Card...

[CowBoE 429]

If that is the case, I definitely need to work out whether I can drive on the UK license in the meantime! I couldn't find any relevant info on DMV, only that I don't need an international drivers permit, and that:

Does this mean I could theoretically just drive on the UK license perpetually? I guess the only thing that it would affect is insurance costs...

http://www.dmv.org/mi-michigan/apply-license.php#Non-Citizens

That is a pretty clear writing to me. Looks like you can drive on UK license as long as it hasn't expired.

But something tells me there is gotta be more to it than this. For example, it doesn't say how long

you can drive on UK license. I would call or write to DMV and get clarification...hopefully in writing.

in case you need to show it to cops that might not know this.

[Ian H. 207]

You definitely can drive with the UK license, but it would be for a limited time. Generally, states have different time periods for when you can drive with a foreign license once you become a resident.

If you were simply a tourist you could drive with your UK license for as long as you were a tourist. However, once you become a resident, the rules change. In your case, you may want to find out directly with the DMV, if you can keep driving with your UK license.

Like I mentioned earlier, you should be able to get your DL with your NOA1, then renew when your AOS is approved. You should only do that of course if you aren't able to keep driving with your UK license and NEED to drive.

Otherwise you can just wait for your EAD and apply then and renew when your AOS is approved, which at that point would be valid for the full term.

Edited August 10, 2014 by Ian H.

[anon2018 5]

You definitely can drive with the UK license, but it would be for a limited time. Generally, states have different time periods for when you can drive with a foreign license once you become a resident.

If you were simply a tourist you could drive with your UK license for as long as you were a tourist. However, once you become a resident, the rules change. In your case, you may want to find out directly with the DMV, if you can keep driving with your UK license.

Like I mentioned earlier, you should be able to get your DL with your NOA1, then renew when your AOS is approved. You should only do that of course if you aren't able to keep driving with your UK license and NEED to drive.

Otherwise you can just wait for your EAD and apply then and renew when your AOS is approved, which at that point would be valid for the full term.

I'll definitely get in touch with the DMV about this. I can't believe it's not better clarified! And if their answer is positive (i.e. yes, you can drive but it would be in your interests to get a domestic license due to insurance costs), I'm going to ask to get it in writing, as suggested - good idea!

[Golden Gate 530]

Hi all,

I'm getting a little confused about all the conflicting info on the web about this. I cannot find any information about how long I can drive in Michigan on my UK Driving License. For a lot of states it's up to 90 days, but others are just 30 days!

Another question is - I know that once I take my MI driving exams, the license will only be valid until the end of my K1 period - and that I'll have to renew after that. Can I renew it with an i-797 NOA1 notice for Adjustment of Status? Or would I need to wait until employment authorization (EAD), thus meaning I wouldn't be able to drive for (potentially) 1.5 months?

Thanks for any help!

As I recall, my husband had to wait for his greencard and EAD to arrive before he could get his license in Michigan. We had inquired about it at the secretary of state office. Also look at this: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/Reciprocity_Agreements_and_Underlying_Authority_170819_7.pdf

Edited August 10, 2014 by Golden Gate

[anon2018 5]

As I recall, my husband had to wait for his greencard and EAD to arrive before he could get his license in Michigan. We had inquired about it at the secretary of state office. Also look at this: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/Reciprocity_Agreements_and_Underlying_Authority_170819_7.pdf

Thank you!

And that's exactly the advice I was given when speaking to the SoS by phone. For anyone following or stumbling upon this thread: you can drive on your UK (or foreign license) UNTIL you can establish legal residency in Michigan. I asked what legal residency means, and it's essentially the point at which you have a legal document with an end date that proves you can legally stay. Because the k1 is, ultimately, a visitor visa, it's not proof of residence (though you can still get a license if you like!), so it was suggested to wait until you get your EAD, and then you can get a Michigan license. Until then? Your foreign license will do (even during any potential gap between the end of your K1 and receiving EAD).

Edited August 12, 2014 by jgadsby

[Boiler 45,501]

Are you getting confirmation in writing?

For the sake of clarification this is not the norm in most States.