Driving License Virginia

[britty 1]

Hi,

Im currently AOS pending and wanted to obtain a driving license. I'm from the UK and live in VA with my husband. The Department of Motor Vehicles advised me that I could have a drivers license issued whilst my AOS is pending as long as I provide them with a utility bill with my name on it. My husband changed over the elec bill into my name and all now is fine. I just wanted to know whether I will need to take a driving test in order to obtain the license. I have a full UK license so thought this would be fine but DMV says "some people have to take a test". They are not very clear on who though! Any help would be greatly appreciated ! Thanks

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Check the online DMV site for California and see what they say. Here in Georgia all foreign drivers - ie not transferring from another state - were required to do both the written and driving tests. Drivers transferring from another state were not required to do the tests. I had to turn in my Canadian driver's license when I obtained my Georgia license as you are only allowed to have one driver's license in your possession at a time since it is considered state identification as well.

[derekkj 0]

Hi Britty,

Derek did not have to take the test to get his Virginia driver's license, though like Kathryn he did have to surrender his Canadian license. However, the Virginia DMV website says, "If you are age 19 or older and you hold a valid driver's license issued by a country other than Canada, France or Germany, you may not be required to show proof of successful completion of driver education or hold a learner's permit for 30 days. However, you must pass the two-part knowledge exam, road skills test and a vision screening. " On the flip side though, you may be able to keep your UK license because the site only mentions that Canadians and US residents from different states are required to turn in their licenses. Here is the link: http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/citizen/...eligibility.asp

So it looks as if you probably will have to take the written, road and vision tests. Which is a joke since you come from the UK where the requirements and tests to get a license are much more difficult to pass than in Virginia! Good luck and try to avoid the DC metro area, the home of the worst drivers on earth!

[Peikko 1,575]

I wasn't asked to give up my UK licence when I got my Califirnia drivers licence, and they knew I had one, so I wonder why you have to give up a Canadian one?

I can see why they don't want you to have multiple state licences though

[britty 1]

Hi Britty,

Derek did not have to take the test to get his Virginia driver's license, though like Kathryn he did have to surrender his Canadian license. However, the Virginia DMV website says, "If you are age 19 or older and you hold a valid driver's license issued by a country other than Canada, France or Germany, you may not be required to show proof of successful completion of driver education or hold a learner's permit for 30 days. However, you must pass the two-part knowledge exam, road skills test and a vision screening. " On the flip side though, you may be able to keep your UK license because the site only mentions that Canadians and US residents from different states are required to turn in their licenses. Here is the link: http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/citizen/...eligibility.asp

So it looks as if you probably will have to take the written, road and vision tests. Which is a joke since you come from the UK where the requirements and tests to get a license are much more difficult to pass than in Virginia! Good luck and try to avoid the DC metro area, the home of the worst drivers on earth!

thanks for the replies so far. Really helpful to know that i do need to do a knowledge exam and vision screening and i will definitely check out the link. I live in Alexandria so unfortunately its impossible to avoid driving within the DC metro area. I agree though it can be quite scary and DC drivers are exactly the same as those in North London - no manners and cars bigger than their houses !!! thanks all.

Hi Britty,

Derek did not have to take the test to get his Virginia driver's license, though like Kathryn he did have to surrender his Canadian license. However, the Virginia DMV website says, "If you are age 19 or older and you hold a valid driver's license issued by a country other than Canada, France or Germany, you may not be required to show proof of successful completion of driver education or hold a learner's permit for 30 days. However, you must pass the two-part knowledge exam, road skills test and a vision screening. " On the flip side though, you may be able to keep your UK license because the site only mentions that Canadians and US residents from different states are required to turn in their licenses. Here is the link: http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/citizen/...eligibility.asp

So it looks as if you probably will have to take the written, road and vision tests. Which is a joke since you come from the UK where the requirements and tests to get a license are much more difficult to pass than in Virginia! Good luck and try to avoid the DC metro area, the home of the worst drivers on earth!

thanks for the replies so far. Really helpful to know that i do need to do a knowledge exam and vision screening and i will definitely check out the link. I live in Alexandria so unfortunately its impossible to avoid driving within the DC metro area. I agree though it can be quite scary and DC drivers are exactly the same as those in North London - no manners and cars bigger than their houses !!! thanks all.

[Thingee 0]

Go to your local DMV office and request a book to study. The test they have online isn't really very good practice.

[Anastassia 0]

Hello,

I live in Virginia too and had a driver's licence from my country, which is not UK, but I would not think they would treat us differently. It was a foreign driver's licence and it helped, because normally I would have to obtain learner's permit and wait a month to get my licence. I was able to get my licence on the same day because of this, but I still had to take a test.

It only takes maybe 5-10 minutes, so it's not a big deal.

Ana

[Saddle Bronc 124]

It's even a good idea to take sample written tests with you which you can actually do (easily several) while waiting at DMV--especially if the office is in Fairfax or Loudon counties (getting licence or tags can be an all-day trip in these).

For Anastassia--methinks you forgot to include the WAIT (line and wait-for-number) time.

[Flames9_RN 358]

I have been to the Falls Church DMV, and was like the 10th person in, and still had a 30 min wait before I was called, lol

[Girona40 0]

In Virginia you are required to take the written test and then go back to take the driving test. I took mine in Manassas a few years ago now. I was a bit miffed that I couldn't do it all in one day, but had to hold a learner's permit for a certain length of time (can't remember how long exactly now) before I could take the driving test.

The reason that the UK has to take the test and some other countries do not is because they drive on the left hand side of the road in the UK. All the other countries drive on the right, as they do in the US.

The test is easy - mine was just plain ridiculous. I was asked to drive out of the parking lot, turn right, do a U-turn about 100 yards down the street, return to the parking lot. That was it!!

The written test is simple - you'll have no problem with that if you have a UK license.

Oh, and you can drive on your UK license here for 6 months before you are required to have a US license.

Good Luck!

[vvill 0]

I did the test in Fredericksburg and it was pretty easy, tho I did have to read up on some of the written test specifics.