I'm a UK citizen with no driving license. Can I learn to drive in the USA whilst not a US citizen?

Question

I'm a UK citizen with only a provisional driving license. Can I learn to drive in the USA whilst not a US citizen?

I'm 19 and only have a provisional driving license, and have been riding a 125cc scooter for 2 years. I heard that I may be able to learn to drive in the USA whilst not even a citizen. Is there any truth in this?

I visit the US often, for up to 2 months at a time, and would love to drive over there.

Any help would be appreciated.

Answer 1

You'll need your passport or a certified copy of your birth certificate to verify your legal presence. Other than that, yes, you can obtain a driver's license.

Some people are saying that you need to get a permit, but that's not true. A permit is great for learning how to drive before you're licensed, though. You'll just need someone in the car with you who is over a certain age (varies by state) and is a licensed driver whenever you drive. It's a provisional license and it's mandatory for people under the age of 18.

However, if you feel you can pass the driving portion without practicing, and you have studied for the written portion (you can find study guides on the DMV website), then there's no need to go get a permit first. You can just make an appointment with your local DMV through the website and go take both tests.

Answer 2

Vehicle Operation or Drivers Licenses are a State by State privilege. There are US DL's, they are like Diplomatic things. As long as you can show that you are a resident or even temporary resident of a State, a DL can be issued to you upon completion of a test.
Call a car rental place or contact them online and ask, they will tell you basically the same thing.
You will have to show proof of residency, this can be temporary residency but they just need a pace or address to send bills,taxes,fees and junk that also come with the privilege.
Best advice I could give is rent a car,or whatever while here, is less of an investment and much easier on insurance junk.
Have Fun!

Answer 3

Bit of a grey area...............for instance NO ONE would rent a car to them and with that little amount of driving experience highly unlikely they would have a family member allow them to use their car..........the main issue would be getting a US insurance company to cover them outside the US........... EDIT : not really sure I can give you a link.............I know it was a nightmare getting my 17 year insurance as a US citizen [in the USAF] who was posted over there and that was with him being 17........... As an american you would HAVE to carry american insurance and they lies the problem, so for the average 16 /17 year just on a 2 week holiday it is NOT going to happen for a 17 year in the military it can be done BUT at a cost. Look at it this way......if the average 17 year from the UK comes to the USA there is NO place that will rent a car to him and farly good chance he has NO hope of a UK place insuring him for the duration of his visit.

Answer 4

Nope. New laws are going into effect state by state. Getting a license in the states now means that you have to prove citizenship or a right to be in the US. A tourist visa does not count.

In the US 18 is the key. It really does not matter what your parents status is unless they are diplomats...... you are an adult under US law.

Answer 5

You certainly can. As another responder noted, get yourself a permit, and find someone to teach you. Then pass the test, pay your fee, and take home your shiny new license.

Answer 6

Yes

Answer 7

Absolutely, look at all the latinos here, and most of them are not citizens, and they have driver's licenses.

Answer 8

Why not? Just go to the dept of motor vehicles and get the permit.