US driver licenses, couple questions

[Hannah7]

As a good start in the U.S. would be obtaining driver license, woudln't it?

I have some questions considering driver licences:

1. I'm gonna apply for the New York state license, but I don't know whether I will be resident of New York in near future (couple months to one year). Does it matter which state dr.license I have got?
2. What documents do I need to apply?
3. I have my european driver license, is it neccessary to take the tests? Can I simply show my license or international dr.license and get the U.S. one?

How time consuming is all the process of obtaining dr.license?

Thanks in advance for any reply :-)

[msamina]

1) It does not matter. You can apply for a drivers license in a state and when you move you can easily transfer it. Before applying though, you need proof of residence in the state (like a renters agreement, utility bills etc)

2) You should check on the dmv page - You will probably need a SSN (optional if u are unable to get one, but need letter stating that), Proof of status, proof of residence + more...)

3) Yes, it is necessary to take tests. The one advantage that I got because I had an international drivers permit was that I could take the written exam + the driving test on the same day instead of having to get a learners permit first. But, it varies from state to state and you should check.

Once you pass the test, they will give you a temporary license valid for a month or so immediately and send you the permanent license in the mail. Typically, you would get this within 2 weeks.

Good luck...

[Dedo]

1. As long as you can prove residency
2. Check the website (but most likely utility bills, and immigration status)
3. This again depends on the state rules. i would call and ask. i remember when I came to this country a long time ago, i applied for a licence. The guy saw my Indian drivers licence and said. "well, you know how to drive. You dont need to take the DRIVING test" and he signed off on the form and told me to go get my picture taken. Maybe the guy just didnt want to waste his time, so carry and show your licence to the tester anyway...you never know

[StonedAnt]

Hello Hannah,

This link should provide most (if not all) answers to our questions: http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us

Unless you are carrying a Canadian driver's license, you will have to give a written as well as a road test. The same thing had happened to me even after I had shown them my driver's license from various other countries.


Stoned!

[Jackolantern]

Originally Posted by Dedo

i remember when I came to this country a long time ago, i applied for a licence. The guy saw my Indian drivers licence and said. "well, you know how to drive. You dont need to take the DRIVING test" and he signed off on the form and told me to go get my picture taken.

LOL! I doubt that will ever happen again these days.

[Hannah7]

haha, very funny ...

but I hope it would happen to me too!

[GotPR?]

Originally Posted by Dedo

i remember when I came to this country a long time ago, i applied for a licence. The guy saw my Indian drivers licence and said. "well, you know how to drive. You dont need to take the DRIVING test" and he signed off on the form and told me to go get my picture taken.

How could he assume you could drive in the US when you were driving on the "wrong" side of the road in India ?

which state was that by the way ?

[far23]

Originally Posted by Jackolantern

LOL! I doubt that will ever happen again these days.

I don't know about other states but in NJ, person holding Indian driver license does not have to take the road test. Yes NJ DMV issues the license after person passes the written test.

[Dedo]

Originally Posted by GotPR?

How could he assume you could drive in the US when you were driving on the "wrong" side of the road in India ?

which state was that by the way ?

Maybe he was smart and knew that if you can drive in India, driving anywhere else on the planet should be a breeze

my point though, is that if you have one, take it with you, because you never know

[Jackolantern]

This reminds me of the story of my grandfather getting his license. It was some 80+ years ago and cars were uncommon. He drove the car to the test. The inspector came to the car and said "how did you get here? You actually drove the car here?" He said Yes, and the inspector said "Wow, sign this paper so I can give you the license!"

[Hannah7]

I see unlike on green card, there is permanent address written on a driving license. Does one have to replace his/her driver license when moving to live on another address?

[TheRealCanadian]

Originally Posted by Hannah7

Does one have to replace his/her driver license when moving to live on another address?

Absolutely!

[Hannah7]

I've heard sth like: You can drive in the U.S. with international driving license, so you don't need U.S. driver license. If you become resident of (New York) state you need New York driver's license.

Despite the fact I don't need to drive in NYC I'm applying for license to strengthen my ties here.

I have stupid question. If I give up my permanent residency and go to the U.S. as a visitor, will I have problem with driving? Or , if I had U.S. driving license, would be possible to drive with international permit???

[Hannah7]

Having passport with valid immigrant visa, SSN.

Is it possible to get the license (or at least non driver ID) within 14 days??

[Jackolantern]

Originally Posted by Hannah7

I've heard sth like: You can drive in the U.S. with international driving license, so you don't need U.S. driver license. If you become resident of (New York) state you need New York driver's license.

If you have a green card, you're a resident of the US and you're not supposed to drive with an international license for more than the minimal grace period (like 10 days or 30 days after moving to the state, whatever the state's rule is). In addition, driving with an international license makes your insurance premiums MUCH higher. When I first moved to the US with an H1B visa I used an international license for a few weeks until I could get an appointment for a state license. When I got the state license I went back to redo my insurance and the cost dropped by more than 60%.

Despite the fact I don't need to drive in NYC I'm applying for license to strengthen my ties here.

If you don't need to drive, then just get a state ID instead of a driver's license.

I have stupid question. If I give up my permanent residency and go to the U.S. as a visitor, will I have problem with driving? Or , if I had U.S. driving license, would be possible to drive with international permit???

That's not a stupid question. If you give up your green card voluntarily and officially (i.e. they didn't forcibly revoke it), you can get a visitor's visa or use the visa waiver program if your country qualifies, and you can drive in the US with your foreign license + international license. If you have a US license (while maintaining residence in the US) you can drive outside of the US with the US driver's license + international permit issued by the US.

[Jackolantern]

Originally Posted by Hannah7

Having passport with valid immigrant visa, SSN.

Is it possible to get the license (or at least non driver ID) within 14 days??

I don't know, look up the rules on the New York DMV web site. For some states it takes 30 days for them to check with immigration and issue the license.

[GotPR?]

By the way, you have to get your own car or borrow friend's car to do drive test.

[Hannah7]

Thank you guys! It seems to be a better to get non driver ID for now. Next year when I return I can make driver id. Right?

[StonedAnt]

Originally Posted by Hannah7

Thank you guys! It seems to be a better to get non driver ID for now. Next year when I return I can make driver id. Right?

I don't know about other people, but if I were you, I would just simply get the driver's license. It works as a license as well as an identification, but that's just my personal opinion.

Good luck.


Stoned!

[Jackolantern]

Originally Posted by StonedAnt

I don't know about other people, but if I were you, I would just simply get the driver's license. It works as a license as well as an identification, but that's just my personal opinion.

But if taking the driving test is required (i.e. if they wont allow you to skip the test based on your foreign license), it can be a hassle, because most DMV's don't allow you to use a rental car. So you have to pay money to a driving school for the use of their car and an instructor for the test, or get a friend's car (which is also difficult in New York so many New Yorkers don't have a car, or they only have it insured for themself to drive).

Most New Yorkers rarely need to drive, so getting the license isn't very useful. Get the state ID ASAP, and the license can wait until after actually settling down and getting the relocation tasks out of the way.

[GotPR?]

Originally Posted by Jackolantern

But if taking the driving test is required (i.e. if they wont allow you to skip the test based on your foreign license), it can be a hassle, because most DMV's don't allow you to use a rental car. So you have to pay money to a driving school for the use of their car and an instructor for the test, or get a friend's car (which is also difficult in New York so many New Yorkers don't have a car, or they only have it insured for themself to drive)..

Exactly. When I came to the US 10 years ago, I took the rental car to DMV for drive test and a lady at DMV said I had to check with rental car company. I called rental car company and was told they wouldn't allow me to take drive test.

Possible scenario is buying a car with international driver's license(Insurance puts you in some contract like you have to get state license within a month or so) and take it to DMV for drive test.

[Hannah7]

Originally Posted by StonedAnt

I don't know about other people, but if I were you, I would just simply get the driver's license. It works as a license as well as an identification, but that's just my personal opinion.

Good luck.


Stoned!

Driver license would be better, but as Jackolantern mentioned, it usually takes 30 days. I'm leaving back to Europe at the end of the next week.

[Jackolantern]

Originally Posted by Hannah7

Driver license would be better, but as Jackolantern mentioned, it usually takes 30 days. I'm leaving back to Europe at the end of the next week.

I don't know if it takes 30 days in New York. And if a DL takes 30 days due to immigration verification, the state ID could also take 30 days. But the state ID obviously won't need a test, so there won't be the need to schedule a test appointment (which may have to be done weeks in advance). Contact them or look up their web site to find out.

If their procedure is to mail it to you in 30 days, you can have somebody clear your mailbox for you if you are outside the US when it arrives.

[StonedAnt]

Originally Posted by Hannah7

Driver license would be better, but as Jackolantern mentioned, it usually takes 30 days. I'm leaving back to Europe at the end of the next week..

As I said, that is something what I would do so it is again a personal preference. It is true that most residents in NYC do not drive, but I found to have a license very useful in many situations including a few emergencies and when travelling out of state.


Stoned!

[Jackolantern]

Originally Posted by StonedAnt

As I said, that is something what I would do so it is again a personal preference. It is true that most residents in NYC do not drive, but I found to have a license very useful in many situations including a few emergencies and when travelling out of state.

Of course it is useful if you have it. The question is whether it is worth the hassle at this time for a newcomer to the US and NYC. The question is not about whether to ever get a license or not, it is about whether to get a license now vs. later after properly settling in. Hannah7 plans to travel outside the US for several months and may end up settling in another state after returning to the US.

[Hannah7]

Originally Posted by Jackolantern

Of course it is useful if you have it. The question is whether it is worth the hassle at this time for a newcomer to the US and NYC. The question is not about whether to ever get a license or not, it is about whether to get a license now vs. later after properly settling in. Hannah7 plans to travel outside the US for several months and may end up settling in another state after returning to the US.

thanks for responses

Yes, actually travel for 6-9 months, so keep fingers crossed As I don't have a time to get reentry permit, I'm just trying to open bank account and get the non-driver ID. Also I am keeping my New York city address until the next arrival at least.

I hope I will not have problem with these basic documents in hand plus some proof paper of final accomplishment from my current university.

I think, for the first time after returning here to the US I can use international dr license, can't I ?

What do you say?