Drivers Licence?

[dvs_dave]

How do you typically go about getting a US driver's licence?

Is it a simple case of going to your local DMV office and showing your UK licence (along with appropriate ID), doing the theory test and them issuing you one, or do you have to surrender your UK licence and take a practical test also?

Not been able to find any definitive answers on the web (even on the IL DMV website) and all the expat forums seem to be full of lots of willing but extremely vague advice.

Btw, I'm in Illinois (permanent resident)

[GavinPearson]

In Michigan the Secretary of State's office issues licences, I would go to the equivalent in IL and follow the advice they give you. Sorry to be vague - I don't know the IL system.

[timmybob]

It's one of those things that depends on the state. In Maryland, I was treated as though I'd never held one before and had to do a theory and driving test.

[david968s]

For most states, you have to do a theory and practical driving test to get a state licence, even if you hold a licence in another state, let alone another country. In TX, my experience was that as soon as they realised I had held a licence for years, they were pretty relaxed and the test consisted of driving around the block a couple of times. I was still nervous though!

[Dr JonboyG]

It really depends. In California I had to take a written and driving test. Moved to Kentucky, expected to just convert my license since I had a valid US license but they made me take a written and driving test again! Failed the driving test for not noticing a 25 mph sign, then they got stroppy when I told them I was driving my car home (only lived a few blocks from the DMV in downtown Lexington luckily). When we moved to DC I think I just needed an eye test and they swapped over my license, apart from the fact that non-US citizens can only go to one DMV location it was very easy.

[dvs_dave]

Yep, went down to the local DMV (and the wait wasn't too bad ) and did the eye test and written exam. Passed them no problems and off to do the practical test tomorrow.

Are there any particular test areas that I should be mindful of that people used to driving in the UK/Europe get caught out on?

Wish me luck!

[Matt Harper]

If you fail, you are immediately deported.
You must display ability to eat, text, phone, apply make-up and re-load clip, whilst simultaneously swerving from lane to lane, without use of turn-signals.

[Dr JonboyG]

dvs_dave said:

Yep, went down to the local DMV (and the wait wasn't too bad ) and did the eye test and written exam. Passed them no problems and off to do the practical test tomorrow.

Are there any particular test areas that I should be mindful of that people used to driving in the UK/Europe get caught out on?

Wish me luck!

Keep an eye out for different speed limit signs! Also, you can turn right at a junction even on red, if you treat it as a stop sign.

[dvs_dave]

Matt Harper said:

If you fail, you are immediately deported.
You must display ability to eat, text, phone, apply make-up and re-load clip, whilst simultaneously swerving from lane to lane, without use of turn-signals.

So that explains why all male drivers of cars with FL plates look like drag queens. I think here the make-up bit has been replaced with pothole avoidance but I'll get a few tips off the missus none the less

[shoebag]

I took my American drivers licence test as a teenager back in the late 80`s in Port Richey, Florida and remember walking in and taking a ticket (like at a deli counter). The wait was less than five minutes then the eye test and then the multiple choice written questions. After that I drove the examiner round the block in my Dad`s van and had to parallel park between two metal poles in their car park.
It was over so quickly and was much easier than the UK test.

[dvs_dave]

Got my licence today after taking the practical test which was essentially a drive around the block, reverse round a corner, stop signs, left/right turns at cross-roads and junctions, right turns at red lights and a hill start. Very easy and took about 10 minutes. It explains why the standard of driving over here is generally very poor!

Incidentally they needed more ID verifiction than needed for immigration! Passport, visa/green card, SSN card, and two pieces of mail from two separate official bodies.

Anyway, all paperwork now sorted that I'll need for day to day life and I've still got my UK licence which is good. Just need to work on getting that bloody credit score up!

[kilty2]

I did my test in Lombard (@20 miles west of Chicago). Total piece of p!ss - the examiner was more interested the pedal arrangement on a RHD car - he was under the assumption that the clutch and accelerator were reversed.

If you have held a UK license for a reasonable time then they will be not be scrutinising you. A lot of the people they test are a danger to themselves, never mind other road users.

The only things they look out for are that you stop completely at stop signs at the white line (ditto red lights). Also - the BIG taboo NEVER EVER pass a school bus when it is stopped and has its lights flashing. This applies if it is on the same side of the road, or the other.

Don't worry - I was sh!tting bricks about my test (14 years ago now) as I was expecting a similar level of attention to my UK test many years ago, my test here was literally just a drive round the block.

[kilty2]

One other point to note, in the city of Chicago, turning right on red, is not allowed at many junctions, signage is typically unclear, so if in doubt, wait for green, but as I mentioned in my previous post, the examiner will probably be so glad that his life is not in danger that you will be sailing home

I currently live within walking distance of a DMV in Naperville (just west of Chicago) and I see people in front of me taking their test in our neighborhood - scares the bejesus out of me.

[kilty2]

Dooh - too late

Congrats BTW

[Matt Harper]

Dr JonboyG said:

Keep an eye out for different speed limit signs! Also, you can turn right at a junction even on red, if you treat it as a stop sign.

You can even turn left on red in certain circumstances.....

[geeman237]

I live in South Carolina and when I went to the 'special immigrants' DMV I too was expecting a written and driving test, as the DMV 'blurb' stated this. Well after waiting for ages armed with many forms of ID etc, the clerk took my UK licence, went to the back office and came back saying I didn't need to take a test and promptly gave me an SC licence (an my UK one). I took it and ran before she realised the error. Now, here in SC, non-US citizens have to the renew their licence every 5 years and not the normal 10. So, when I went back to renew mine, I thought I'd just turn up and they'd re-new it, but no, I had to go home and get all the same ID paperwork again, never mind that they should already have it file.

[brumma]

Dr JonboyG said:

Keep an eye out for different speed limit signs! Also, you can turn right at a junction even on red, if you treat it as a stop sign.

Not everywhere--right on red is illegal in NYC.

[Famous Graham]

And even if it is legal, watch out for crosswalks - the green man will still be on and the peds have right of way.

[dvs_dave]

Well after just 24 hrs with my US "license", I found myself randomly swerving from lane to lane without signalling or checking my mirrors, braking spuriously whilst in heavy traffic, tooting my horn the instant the lights go green, blocking junctions, darting across the path of oncoming vehicles with mere inches to spare and driving around pedestrians whilst blasting my horn.

Must be something in the water?

[kilty2]

Welcome to the good old US of A

You have to be careful about p!ssing the natives off to much though - remeber people carry guns here (especially in the city) - there were several road rage shootings last year on the Kennedy, Ike and 294.