Converting a U.K. drivers licence to a Massachusetts drivers licence

[Britandconfused 2]

Hi

Can anyone with a U.K. drivers licence that has successfully converted it to a Massachusetts licence illuminate the process for me?

I've had a look at the RMV website and it's not very clear.

Do I need to go through the whole process as though I were an unlicensed driver? I.e. obtain a learners permit then take the written and practical test along with the eye exam? It seems a bit long winded, but possibly the case!

Can anyone share their experience of going through the process and share any tips? I didn't have much fun with them when I applied for my Mass ID so any info would be appreciated!

Thanks!

V

[arken 4,197]

I don't have a out of country license conversion experience but this statement "If you are converting a license from a country other than Canada, Mexico, the Republic of Korea, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Republic of France, Taiwan or one of the US Territories, you must take the full - written and road test, plus the eye test" from the rmv website suggests you need to go through all the tests. You can use your license from UK to drive in Mass in the mean time though.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Unless your country made a separate agreement for license exchange with the state, then you are just like a brand new first time driver. So all on this forum have two things to study on you state's website.

1) Requirements for a first license.

2) Required documents to show your legal presence in the US since you are a foreigner.

Our personal experience was the highway patrolman who gave the driving test, cut the test very short saying "I can tell you are an experienced driver so just go back to the office. You pass". It may not be as hard as you think.

[yuna628 9,671]

For MD at least you need to take a written test, a 3hr drug and alcohol course (literally just a lecture and then take a simple test), and pass the road test if you are a UK driver. It's only for countries that have specific agreements that you can get around all of that. That being said, its still not treating you like a first time driver, you get to bypass the learners permit/provision section which requires hours and hours of log time, testing, and courses.

Most states follow that concept. My husband had his done within a week or so once he had his EAD. If you are an experienced driver, the road test will be a breeze (his took about 10 minutes on a road he'd been driving on for years given by a cop). But absolutely make sure to read up on the booklet for written test just in case there's a trick question or two.

[gjrhopkins 0]

I went through all that late last year in MA!

So you have to do the written and road tests again.

Go to the RMV and do the road test as soon as possible - definitely read through the handbook though as there are questions on junior operators rules and the dollar amounts of fines issued too - I did this about an hour beforehand and was so glad I did as 3/4 questions came up on this.

The road test is really very easy - I had to back up in a straight line and do a 3 pt turn and it took 10 mins. However check the eligibility of your car as I nearly couldn't do mine! I bought my sister-in-law's car from her. She took her old license plate and put it on her new car, and I got a new one. However as the inspection sticker (which was otherwise valid) had her license plate on, the inspection sticker wasn't valid. I had my test on New Year's Eve at 3pm, and wasn't able to do it because of this. My sister-in-law came to the rescue in her new car and let me do the test in it! (Luckily the last test of the day cancelled and I was able to do it at 4pm!)

[Britandconfused 2]

Hi everyone, thanks so much for all the info!

Edited August 27, 2016 by Britandconfused

[Britandconfused 2]

I went through all that late last year in MA!

So you have to do the written and road tests again.

Go to the RMV and do the road test as soon as possible - definitely read through the handbook though as there are questions on junior operators rules and the dollar amounts of fines issued too - I did this about an hour beforehand and was so glad I did as 3/4 questions came up on this.

The road test is really very easy - I had to back up in a straight line and do a 3 pt turn and it took 10 mins. However check the eligibility of your car as I nearly couldn't do mine! I bought my sister-in-law's car from her. She took her old license plate and put it on her new car, and I got a new one. However as the inspection sticker (which was otherwise valid) had her license plate on, the inspection sticker wasn't valid. I had my test on New Year's Eve at 3pm, and wasn't able to do it because of this. My sister-in-law came to the rescue in her new car and let me do the test in it! (Luckily the last test of the day cancelled and I was able to do it at 4pm!)

gjrhopkins, does that mean when you went to the RMV you applied for a learners permit? I understand that I have to sit the written and practical tests before I can get my full licence, in order to do that do I need to apply for the learners permit? Or do I just got to the RMV and pay for the written and practical tests?

When you show up at the RMV and pay for the written test, do they test you that same day or schedule you in for a test? Can you pay for everything (written test, practical test and full drivers licence fee) on the same day?

How long did it take you from the time you visited the RMV to booking your written test followed by your practical test? As of mid October I'll have been in the country a year, do you think I can get it all done before then?

Also, my husband's car has passed inspection, however the handbrake effectively doesn't work and the check engine light is permanently on. Do you think it would be risky taking the test in his car?

Thank you!

[gjrhopkins 0]

When you go to the RMV you apply for a learners permit and they'll have you do the written test there and then so swot up before going at all. So you have to pay for the permit and the written test then too. Then when you get the permit they'll give you a number to call to book the road test and you'll pay for that and the license then.

When I called I got offered a test the next day but as it was in Worcester (crazy roads) I said when's your next and that was about 2 months later in Leominster so I went for that so I felt comfortable driving here first.

Not sure for definite on whether the car is good enough for test. I know you can't take the test if your car doesn't have a handbrake because it's meant to be an emergency stop for the assessor. Also you're meant to use it when showing what you'd do if you parked uphill or downhill. I'd call the RMV And ask maybe saying that it passed inspection

[Britandconfused 2]

When you go to the RMV you apply for a learners permit and they'll have you do the written test there and then so swot up before going at all. So you have to pay for the permit and the written test then too. Then when you get the permit they'll give you a number to call to book the road test and you'll pay for that and the license then.

When I called I got offered a test the next day but as it was in Worcester (crazy roads) I said when's your next and that was about 2 months later in Leominster so I went for that so I felt comfortable driving here first.

Not sure for definite on whether the car is good enough for test. I know you can't take the test if your car doesn't have a handbrake because it's meant to be an emergency stop for the assessor. Also you're meant to use it when showing what you'd do if you parked uphill or downhill. I'd call the RMV And ask maybe saying that it passed inspection

This is really helpful, thank you so much!