Driving in the US

[rachelbw 0]

Hello everyone.

I was wondering if anyone knew the answer to this-

As I understand it, a valid UK drivers license is valid for 1 year and then I have to get a US driving license.

If I leave the US and re-enter does it become valid for another year again?

Any help would be great.

Thank you

[yuna628 9,676]

1 minute ago, rachelbw said:

Hello everyone.

I was wondering if anyone knew the answer to this-

As I understand it, a valid UK drivers license is valid for 1 year and then I have to get a US driving license.

If I leave the US and re-enter does it become valid for another year again?

Any help would be great.

Thank you

The amount of time your UK driving license is valid really depends on the state you live in and when you officially become a resident. Since you are going the spousal visa route, obtaining a US driving license should be a lot easier. While there are some hoops to jump through as immigrants, those who already know how to drive have it a bit easier than the average new driver. In MD for instance you simply need to take the written test, attend a 3hr drug/alcohol seminar, and take the road test which is all of ten minutes. You'll have to supply the local US DMV with the required documents they want as well, but otherwise it's pretty straightforward. California will have it's own regulations, so you'll need to check the CA DMV website for how to obtain one: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/dl/dl_info

[TNJ17 1,329]

I was always under the impression that a foreign drivers license is only valid for 60 days after you POE date. If you’re a resident, just apply for a license and get rid of the hassle. 

[rachelbw 0]

Thanks for the responses. I went to the DMV to do the required alabama driving test to switch over and unfortunately as I only have 90 days left on my CR1 I couldn't take the test as they require more than 160 days. 

I am nervous now whether to drive because I dont want a no DL ticket and I cant get my license until i751 is processed.

I recently left the US to go to mexico, so Im wondering if my 1 year validity started again...

 

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

2 hours ago, rachelbw said:

Thanks for the responses. I went to the DMV to do the required alabama driving test to switch over and unfortunately as I only have 90 days left on my CR1 I couldn't take the test as they require more than 160 days. 

I am nervous now whether to drive because I dont want a no DL ticket and I cant get my license until i751 is processed.

I recently left the US to go to mexico, so Im wondering if my 1 year validity started again...

 

There is no cross the board 1 year validity of your UK license. If you are travelling to the US as a tourist yes, but not if you are a resident. As a resident it depends on the state regulation but is normally 60 or 90 days. So no it wouldn't re-start anything. Your receipt letter (i797) for your i751 - adds 1 year validity to your 2 year Green Card. With both you should be able to get your license.

[Chris Duffy 1,257]

14 hours ago, Suss&Camm said:

There is no cross the board 1 year validity of your UK license. If you are travelling to the US as a tourist yes, but not if you are a resident. As a resident it depends on the state regulation but is normally 60 or 90 days. So no it wouldn't re-start anything. Your receipt letter (i797) for your i751 - adds 1 year validity to your 2 year Green Card. With both you should be able to get your license.

Will police ever ask about your immigration status?

 

I have never seen it or heard of it, I have heard police tell me personally they don't enforce Federal Laws only state laws

 

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

On 12/9/2017 at 3:15 AM, Chris Duffy said:

Will police ever ask about your immigration status?

 

I have never seen it or heard of it, I have heard police tell me personally they don't enforce Federal Laws only state laws

 

The police care if you are a resident and don’t have a local DL. I live in California and know 2 people now who have been fined for not having CA driver licenses after moving here. This is a state law, not a federal law. The length of time differs from state to state, but they all have laws that residents have to obtain state licenses within a certain amount of time of becoming a resident. Whether or not they care about your immigration status, they care about your residence status.

And no OP, going somewhere on holiday does not change your resident status and therefore does not “restart” any kind of validity of using foreign license.

Edited December 12, 2017 by SusieQQQ

[Chris Duffy 1,257]

19 hours ago, SusieQQQ said:

The police care if you are a resident and don’t have a local DL. I live in California and know 2 people now who have been fined for not having CA driver licenses after moving here. This is a state law, not a federal law. The length of time differs from state to state, but they all have laws that residents have to obtain state licenses within a certain amount of time of becoming a resident. Whether or not they care about your immigration status, they care about your residence status.

And no OP, going somewhere on holiday does not change your resident status and therefore does not “restart” any kind of validity of using foreign license.

California is a different story, they allow illegal aliens to get DL and they don't care if they had used fake or false documents in the past.  

 

I am talking about Texas and I have had had police tell me they don't enforce Federal Law.  

 

This is one reason why I don't understand why I can't carry my pistol into California even though I have a license to carry, but a person from California who has California DL can use it to drive in the USA.  They are all connected by a interstate.