Driving in the US

[stmartin72 0]

If I have a full driving license in the Uk, is it transferable to the state of Missouri. Or will I have to take additional tests, etc?

[TBoneTX 45,319]

*** Thread moved from CR-1 Process forum to the Moving to the US forum, where similar topics are discussed. ***

[Pitaya 2,577]

Driver's licensing is in the purview of the individual states. Each state's has slightly different rules and regulations. Suggest that you review the Missouri Drivers License page for more information: http://dor.mo.gov/drivers/

[Thozelle 16]

I ask Missouri license bureau this question last week. If your temporary visitor you can drive with your countries drivers license for up to 6 months. If your permanent resident of Missouri must take written, visual, and skills test and get a Missouri Drivers License. They quoted me straight out of the drivers handbook.

[FutureMrs 1]

If he doesn't have a drivers license in the UK before he gets here in Missouri, does he have to take lessons and then take the written and physical driving test in America?

[JaneSmith 0]

No, you were driving "on the wrong side of the road" is what every smug American will tell you. You need to take ALL the tests again like some idiot.

[yuna628 9,676]

Most states will say this: if you have a license you can drive on that license for a time (each state varies how long on that time), after that you must apply for a state license. Since you already know how to drive, there is no penalty to acquire hours or training, but you usually must take a very simple written and road test. If you never drove or never obtained a license in your home country then you are just like any other novice or student driver. You must start from scratch and take the full course of tests, which may include clocking up practice hours, taking courses, and then finally taking the tests.

[Ketsuban 1,034]

If he doesn't have a drivers license in the UK before he gets here in Missouri, does he have to take lessons and then take the written and physical driving test in America?

I would have thought if someone has never passed a driving exam in their home country, then yes, they would definitely need to pass the exams in the US before being allowed to drive alone. Laws aside, would you want to share the freeway with someone who has no idea how to operate a car and has no instructor or friend/relative to teach them?

[FutureMrs 1]

I would have thought if someone has never passed a driving exam in their home country, then yes, they would definitely need to pass the exams in the US before being allowed to drive alone. Laws aside, would you want to share the freeway with someone who has no idea how to operate a car and has no instructor or friend/relative to teach them?

Maybe my question did not come across rightly.

He's taking lessons in the UK. My question was about does he need to take lessons in the US also.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

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Edited August 23, 2015 by SusieQQQ

[killercat 2]

Generally there is no requirement to take lessons to get your driver's license (I got my UK driving license too and there is definitely not a requirement to take lessons in the UK either as I passed without them). The question is can he pass the written test and can he drive? If the answer is yes, then that should be fine. However, if he doesn't have a UK driving license he may be required to have logged hours driving with a licensed driver (you or some other licensed adult) before he can drive by himself and if he does take lessons he may get a reduction in the insurance costs. You need to check with your state dmv

[Pythos1 24]

States have different laws so you have to check with the state you're moving to, regarding the lessons and time logged. But you will be able to drive on a foreign license for a short time before being required to get a US license. I don't know Missouri's laws but Ohio law says if you're over 18, you don't need to go to classes. You just need to pass the written test, driving test, and eye exam (20/40 vision with or without corrective lenses).

[Boiler 45,535]

I did my test in Colorado, both car and a few years later bike.

25 joke questions that most people could guess without ever reading the book.

Car was 5 minutes around the block, bike was a lot more involved but a good refresher.

What I had in the UK was never brought up, I did drive initially on my UK license, I think Colorado now gives you 90 days.

[LauraDP 10]

If I have a full driving license in the Uk, is it transferable to the state of Missouri. Or will I have to take additional tests, etc?

It varies from state to state. I am in PA and was legally permitted to drive from when I arrived in the US based on my having a valid UK driving license and an International Driving License. That allowed me to drive for up to a year. I passed my US driving test and obtained my license within 6 months. There are various things you need to be able to do before you can even get a driver's permit - such as having multiple proofs of address and a medical signed by a doctor - which is why it took me 6 months. Plus I have four kids and you cannot have people in the car with you when you sit your test so I had to wait to schedule my test on a day when my husband could be off work to care for the kids. So - in other words - you could feasibly obtain your US Driver's License within a few months of arriving in the US.

The trickier bit is actually being able to own a car. Here in PA at least we were required to have a US license before we could drive a car but you have to have your own car to drive during the test (rental cars are disqualified). My husband found a dealership who were willing to sell him a car for cash with a state authorised ID card and that then enabled him to sit the test and obtain the US licence. So that is something worth investigating for your state too.

Passing a driving test in the US is completely and utterly simple compared to passing the test in the UK. Seriously. I passed the theory test without having studied (I did not know I was going to be taking it on the day that I did it) and my road test was parallel parking and a five minute drive around a car park. Seriously.

Best wishes

Laura

[Boiler 45,535]

INFO FOR NEW RESIDENTS

NON-COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE

All new residents with out-of-state non-commercial driver's licenses must obtain a PA Driver's License within 60 days of establishing Pennsylvania residency. To apply, you must appear in person at one of our Driver License Centers. You will be required to surrender your out-of-state driver's license (valid or expired six months or less) before PennDOT can issue you a PA Driver's License. You will need to take a vision-screening test and complete Form DL-180R "Application for Pennsylvania Non-Commercial Driver's License By Out-of-State Non-CDL Driver." In addition, you will need to show proof of identification and residency and your Social Security card. Please visit our fees page for information on the fee for the product you will be requesting.

No such thing as an International Drivers License, the Permit is essentially a translation and not needed for UK License holders.