Can I drive in the USA with on K1 visa status?

[Robert H 2]

Which means he can drive with the International Driver's Permit and his current UK driver's license as I originally mentioned. Why is some else confused?

[Adil & Jeanne 296]

As you are moving your English licence is good for 30 days and then you need learners permit and take the necessary test / instuctions on documents needed is on their DMV site

parents can drive on international driving permit during their stay

[joevegas 67]

In Tennessee I was able to drive for 30 days on my foreign license. It all depends on the state so you will have to figure it out on the state/DMV website! However, without an EAD or greencard -depends on the state also- you can not obtain a state drivers license.

If the visit is less than 90 days (ESTA), your parents on whoever visits doesn't need an international drivers permit. At least my parents and friends never did while they were on vacation here so I highly doubt it's needed.

Man..TN drivers are nuts aren't they!..They have no idea what a turn signal is?

[ERFandPRW 6]

hi all,

hope you don't mind me piggy backing to ask my question . I have just got my conditional gc expires 08/08/18. My driving license expires in December 2018 (so after i would apply to have conditions removed). Do i need to go to the dmv now and inform them i have a green card and possibly get a longer license or do i wait until i have applied for ROC and go with the extension letter for Roc to the dmv and apply then for a renewal of my license. And can any of this be done online . As my local dmv (golden colorado are unfriendly and i have been asked to leave on a previous occasion).

I wish you all a great day and hope to hear some answers soon,

Phil

Edited September 9, 2016 by ERFandPRW

[Dutchster 1,107]

Man..TN drivers are nuts aren't they!..They have no idea what a turn signal is?

Lord, have mercy on my soul! Lol, they are complete nut heads on the road. Do they get their license for free when they buy butter?

Edited September 9, 2016 by stephadams

[Georgia16 2,858]

Lord, have mercy on my soul! Lol, they are complete nut heads on the road. Do they get their license for free when they buy butter?

They do in GA!!! Darn they drive crazy!!

When I entered I could also drive 30 days and then no more before I get my EAD and can take a GA DL.

You can read the rules for you State here:

http://www.dmv.ri.gov/licenses/renewal/index.php

Or call them.

[Amadia 711]

Hi,

Maybe this link can help with your query.

Best of luck to you!

http://www.dmv.ri.gov/licenses/

[theresaL 408]

I echo the comment to check with your state's DMV about the rules.

When I checked here in Missouri they said my husband's French license and International Driver's License would only be recognized if he were a tourist. Otherwise he needs to obtain a learners permit to allow him to practice driving here and then upon successful completion of both a written and road test he would be issued a full driver's license. Additionally, he would need to show proof of legal residence. The clerk at the DMV also said not bring his French license or International license with him on the day he applied for a MO DL because they would require him to surrender them both.

I also called my insurance company to inquire about adding him to my car insurance and they said without a MO DL they could not add him nor would they cover him as a driver if he were involved in an accident even if it weren't his fault using his French license.

Definitely worth a phone call to your state's DMV to cover your self legally.

[Dutchster 1,107]

Hi,

Maybe this link can help with your query.

Best of luck to you!

http://www.dmv.ri.gov/licenses/

That link is for F1 and F2 visa's.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

My experience with local DMV offices is they are clueless about immigration laws. Same with city cops and state highway patrol. And if they know anything it is the general stuff like for greencard holders or those on long term visas. A K1 with nothing on paper to show they are admitted to the US past 90 days is often beyond their comprehension. Very few states put what qualifies as "resident" on their Websites. They speak to the broader audience. One I recall says something like you are considered a resident when you enroll kids in school, or have a job, and a few specific things like that. Most states don't even lay it out like that.

So good luck with getting a correct answer specific to K1 at the local DMV. They will say something like "you have x-number of days to get a state license once you become a resident of this state. But the unanswered question is exactly when is a K1 considered a resident since they are only admitted for 90 days and their visa is invalid from the day the use it to enter.

Edited September 9, 2016 by Nich-Nick

[rjm_cmyk 75]

This is California so as others have said - check your state rules.

1) Once you arrive you are treated as a resident as far as the DMV/Police are concerned and will need to comply with local rules. Use of a UKDL is arguably a grey area. You're neither a permanent resident yet but you're not a visitor either. Generally you don't want to get into a discussion on immigration issues with a cop by the side of a road. They don't know and I suspect aren't interested. I know/have read/seen on the internet that people have been cited in these circumstances. Yes the rules on residency are vague for k1 immigrants and I don't think either the DMV or police understand the nuances of that 90 day period.

2) In CA you can get a permit once you have your SSN and with your I-94 which at that point is your only immigration document

3) In CA they will only issue a permit for the duration of validity of your immigration document and more specifically it must have 60 days to run. Given that you only have 90 days from POE then you need to get a move on if you want a permit.

I missed the boat completely and just drove with a UK license and prayed that I never go stopped which fortunately I didn't.

Once you've done AOS then you can have a two year permit (see 3) although I did get that renewed without any problems while I'm waiting on ROC.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Generally you don't want to get into a discussion on immigration issues with a cop by the side of a road. They don't know and I suspect aren't interested.

.

Been there. Done that. My husband got stopped by the highway patrol for speeding. The officer llooked at the UK license and said "you visiting or somethin'?" Hubby should have just answered "yep" in his British accent LOL.

The ticket was written for two charges. 1) Speeding and 2) Failure to have a valid TX driver license. At that time it was supposed to be within 30 days of moving to the state After a very long discussion about K1 visas and TX would not issue him a DL until he got paperwork back from immigration, he marked out the second offense. We assured him we had tried. We paid the fine in person to the appropriate court clerk and that was it. I suppose it would have been a higher fine with the added charge of failure to get a license within 30 days. He never once suggested hubby should sit at home and not drive and so he continued to drive until his EAD arrived which allowed a TX license. It was a personal choice in a gray area. State Farm also said as long as I gave permission for him to drive my car, it was covered whether his name was on the policy or not (prior to getting a state license.)