Adding Spouse as an Authorized Driver

[K & V 33]

Today I called my auto insurance carrier to try and add my wife on as an authorized driver for my car, however the rep said that she will need to have a US drivers license number before they can add her on. Is this true for auto insurance companies? How are new arrivals on tourist and immigrant visas with international driving permits able to rent vehicles?

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

Renting vehicles is different in terms of insurance than being added as a driver to an existing policy (or getting a resident policy for yourself, as opposed to a rental/ tourist one).

[Ortolan 381]

I was able to add my spouse as an authorized covered driver before he had an American driving license; however they said he had to have a U.S. license within 6 months, and that was the limit they'd be able to carry him on my insurance without one. So I think it varies from insurance company to insurance company.

[HK12 273]

Yes, it was the same for us. We had to wait until I had my driver's license in order to be added to my husband's policy.

Edited November 19, 2015 by HK12

[spring333 44]

I had my insurance with international driver license from Serbia even before i obtained dl here

[xtrasome 10]

Today I called my auto insurance carrier to try and add my wife on as an authorized driver for my car, however the rep said that she will need to have a US drivers license number before they can add her on. Is this true for auto insurance companies? How are new arrivals on tourist and immigrant visas with international driving permits able to rent vehicles?

Hi best option to avoid any complications in future is to get a Learner Permit or State ID from your local DMV. They both will have the same number, so you will be able to use any one of those numbers to add her in your insurance. It takes only 4/5 days. Hope this helps

[K & V 33]

Thank you all for the replies. They were able to add her to my insurance policy. with her being on the policy, could she still drive with her International Driver's Permit?

[TBoneTX 46,129]

That would depend on the rules in your U.S. state of residence.

[DJ6372 111]

Its definately an Insurance thing!

My wife put me on her insurance with a UK license

Just be aware it kills the premiums!!

If you can wait till you gain your US license, then I would do that

I used my UK one to rent cars

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

Thank you all for the replies. They were able to add her to my insurance policy. with her being on the policy, could she still drive with her International Driver's Permit?

Usually yes, but only for a limited amount of time (30 or 90 fays are common before a state DL is needed). As T_bone said, check your state license requirements.

[DJ6372 111]

In California, you are supposed to apply for State D/L within 10 days of POE

Take that with a pinch of salt as you won't get a driving test that quick, but at least go tho the DMV and start the process

You drive carefully on your foreign license! If anything happens at least you can prove you started the process of State ID/DL

But ultimately as a LPR you need a US license

[Roy&Chanel 109]

I think it depends on the state, for Georgia over here, same issue, I need a driver's license in order to add in title of ownership and auto insurance (unless non driver). Got my temp state ID yesterday but over here they required EAD to get a driver's license.

[Thozelle 16]

Missouri requires ssn for state drivers license or state id card. Will ask this week if she can be added to auto insurance since she will be driving with her foreign dl until she gets her ssn and state dl