Us (or Candian) driving licence

[captainwomble]

I've got a UK car and motorcycle licence.
I'm looking to swap it for a US licence but NY doesn't allow this.
Anyone know the best way to go about this without having to do lessons/tests all over again?

Alternatively, I could swap it for a Canadian one (I live in NY but work legally in Canada). This seems more straightforward but unfortunately I'd lose the motorcycle aspect as that can't be swapped.
However, I could then swap my canadian one for an NY one.

It's an usual situation, admittedly, but I'm hoping someone's got some advice or expericen in either of the above.

thanks.

[bestpal]

come on...go take the test..it isn't that complicated.

[Dedo]

why would you do all that? Just apply for a NY license.

Once you have a UK license, getting a US license should be a piece of cake

[Triple Citizen]

Which province are we talking about? Not all have a direct exchange provision with a British licence.

Originally Posted by captainwomble

Alternatively, I could swap it for a Canadian one (I live in NY but work legally in Canada). This seems more straightforward but unfortunately I'd lose the motorcycle aspect as that can't be swapped.

[TheRealCanadian]

Originally Posted by bestpal

come on...go take the test..it isn't that complicated.

++

[nelsona]

In all jurisdictions in North America, in order to drive, you need to have a valid driver's license in the district in which you live, and usually need this within weeks of arriving there.

How have you been getting around?

[elcupacabras]

Its best to just take the test again. Based on your UK license, you'll need to take the test in every US state if you want a license (just your initial license of course...once you get your initial one you can then swap it over if you move states, though some states still require you to pass a written test to get their license). The 'swapping' of a drivers license of a foreign license for a US one is only applicable to licenses from certain countries (bizarrely enough, I know that in some states, Germany is one of them), and unfortunately the UK isnt one of those in any states.
Seriously, the test is easy (both written and practical), so just go ahead and get it done.

[captainwomble]

Ontario in Canada.

Been taking the subway in NY.

From what I've read, in order to get an NY licence you have to take the knowledge test, the road test and also log x amount of hours with an instrcutor (can't remember the number).
The tests don't bother me; it's the time and expense of taking driving lessons -when i already know how to drive - that i'm trying to avoid.

[Triple Citizen]

When I moved to Ontario in 1997, I had a UK licence. Since there was no provision for an exchange, I had to take a written and 2 road tests (one street, one highway). I turned up in my friend's stick shift Civic to take the first of the 2 road tests. The examiner sat in, looked at the car and goes "You are driving a stick shift, I know you can drive. Just drive once around the block and bring me back"

I passed

Originally Posted by elcupacabras

Seriously, the test is easy (both written and practical), so just go ahead and get it done.

[nelsona]

So, you live in NY. Don't think about getting an ON DL then.

How have you been getting around in ON, dog sled?

[captainwomble]

Originally Posted by nelsona

So, you live in NY. Don't think about getting an ON DL then.

How have you been getting around in ON, dog sled?

When in Rome...