Driving in the US when you have a license from your own country

[PaulineA 1]

When people can already drive and have a valid license from their own country do they still take lessons before the driving test in the US. Do some States not require you to get a license if you have one from your own country? I think I will be taking lessons before my test as driving is obviously different here than it was in the UK.

Edited April 28, 2007 by Pauline123

[Otto 83]

When people can already drive and have a valid license from their own country do they still take lessons before the driving test in the US. Do some States not require you to get a license if you have one from your own country? I think I will be taking lessons before my test as driving is obviously different here than it was in the UK.

Pauline123,

I'm reasonably certain all states require you to get a license even if you have one in your own country. There may be differences on testing/driving requirements if you already have one though but you must still (I believe) get a state-issued DL.

The same goes for those who get an International DL from their country as those are only valid for tourists.

US DMV Links

[PaulineA 1]

When people can already drive and have a valid license from their own country do they still take lessons before the driving test in the US. Do some States not require you to get a license if you have one from your own country? I think I will be taking lessons before my test as driving is obviously different here than it was in the UK.

Pauline123,

I'm reasonably certain all states require you to get a license even if you have one in your own country. There may be differences on testing/driving requirements if you already have one though but you must still (I believe) get a state-issued DL.

The same goes for those who get an International DL from their country as those are only valid for tourists.

US DMV Links

Thanks Karen, I actully meant to write do some states not require you take a driving test, lol silly me, of course you require a license in every State. Thanks for the link though, that should answer my question.

[Nessa 23]

Naw, I've been driving since I could reach the brakes:p I guess I was like 12, so no lessons for me. Driving here is pretty much the same as in Brazil, some rules are different (like you can yeld and turn right even with the lights red, in Brazil if the lights are red you better not move). I'm really glad that hubby's car are stick and not automatic, I like driving stick shift better.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

I had to take the test in 1996 when I swapped my Alberta licence (duplicate of one that was stolen--but getting that duplicate caused me lots of migraines) for Tennessee, but no lessons (well, Canada driving is basically same as US).

[homesick_american 1]

I hear a couple of states will let you swap a Canadian license, but if you're from anywhere else you will have to take a test.

Some states will allow you to drive for up to a year on a foreign license; some states won't. Perhaps there should be a sticky notice with links to all fifty states' DMV/DPS websites so people can look it up themselves...this seems to be a very frequently-asked question.

[CountryBoy 0]

I just left the local Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles Facility (secretary of states office) ..

They said Mylene can drive on her Philippine license for 90 days, then she has to appear with ..

A.) her passport OR legal copy of her birth certificate

B.) her social security card and ..

C.) documents proving her residency in the state ..

They said that she will be required to take the written test, eye test, and driving test ..

[sparkofcreation 0]

New Jersey requires people with foreign licenses to take the written test but not the road test.

I lived in a small town, so I basically just made G. drive around town. I might've made him get lessons if I lived in a city, since he was used to driving on the other side of the road.

[LaL 418]

no test here in Tampa needed... funny thing is, hubby went into the local DMV with his AOS NOA and his ID and they would not give him a license. He went back 5 months later after he had gotten Canadian citizenship to the same office and they gave him a FL license valid for 2 years.

I would have raised some MAJOR hell if they refused to take the NOA/EAD going forward since AOS has decided to pend pend pend.

Edited April 28, 2007 by lal_brandow

[Fuzzness 2]

Georgia requires the whole damn thing. Can only drive on foreign license for 1 month then need passport/BC, immigration documents (I used EAD), proof of an established GA address (a letter addressed to you from DHC is NOT acceptable) and SS number

then need to take the written test and road test. be prepared to go through a long day. go to more rural centers if possible. do NOT go to Gainesville, they hate immigrants.

Edited April 29, 2007 by Fuzzness

[Nessa 23]

Kansas also requires everything. I couldn't use my brazilian driver's license. So I took the written test (the dumbas$ woman asked if I wanted to take in spanish or english ) and then the road test, that was way easier than the one I took in Brazil 10 years ago, that I had to drive for a while and park the car in a small parking place between 2 cars) here I just drove for like 3 minutes and that was it.

[homesick_american 1]

Kansas also requires everything. I couldn't use my brazilian driver's license. So I took the written test (the dumbas$ woman asked if I wanted to take in spanish or english ) and then the road test, that was way easier than the one I took in Brazil 10 years ago, that I had to drive for a while and park the car in a small parking place between 2 cars) here I just drove for like 3 minutes and that was it.

Why is she a dumbass for asking what language you wanted to take the test in? I doubt Portuguese is an option in Kansas , but what part of her giving you the language options makes her a dumbass?

[Fuzzness 2]

because brazilians don't speak spanish, only portuguese and english

[Cassie 8]

The only test I was required to take was the vision test. My valid Canadian license was given in exchange.

I did not have to take a written or driving test. My state is Oklahoma.

[homesick_american 1]

because brazilians don't speak spanish, only portuguese and english

Thanks Fuzzness, I'm aware of that. I minored in Portuguese.