Driving in the States?

heartofwhite

Hey everyone,

I am heading over to the States at the end of August for one year to work. I am a 24 year old male with a full clean Irish licence and I am wondering if I have to take a test over there in order to drive or is it just a case of swapping licences? My girlfriend lives in the states and I would like to just get insured as a named driver on her car if possible. Any help appreciated.

Sorry if this has been posted/answered before.

CharlieCroker

As far as I know you can drive on your own Irish licence over there. A buddy of mine moved to boston last Oct and he's driving on his Irish licence. Dunno if he had to get an international driving permit too though

jimmay

I think you should check it out officially.

As far as I know there's only so long you can drive on an Int Driv Permit

Also when I was living in Florida in 2004 I think I remember hearing that it's the actual vehicle that's insured not the person, maybe every state is different aswell. Yes it's mad over there, I'm a US passport holder, got a learners permit there but failed my full driving test after. If I wanted to I could have gone back and taken my full test again the next day! It's a first come, first serve basis, no appointments, mad stuff, big lines though and you had to get up real early.

DubTony

It's a long time since I lived there (Massachusetts in 1990), but at the time I had to apply for a test. They'd just changed the rules at that time. Previously I could have just swapped. So unless they've changed it back, you'll need to do a test within, I believe, 3 months. Get an international one anyway, bring your Irish one as well, and apply for the test straight away.

cancan

You can drive on irish lic for 6 months.
Get a driving history form from the co council to get the lowest rates on insurance. My company accepted one anyway, so you immediatly get cheap insurance.
Test is simple, and done in a few mins.

heartofwhite

I am going to pop in and get a international driving permit tomorrow to go along with my licence. As far as I can see that is all I really need. But still not sure!

chickenhawk

I lived there in florida for a few months thinking of going back soon. I just used my irish license and if I go there again I'll do the same. As long as you don't do anything stupid the cops won't care. (sure they all want to tell you how irish they are anyways.

jackofalltrades

heartofwhite wrote:

I am going to pop in and get a international driving permit tomorrow to go along with my licence.

I wouldn't bother getting one, I've owned a car and rented a few of them in the US and I was never been asked for an IDP.

You're Irish licence will do if you're driving someone else's car but I'd get a licence for whatever state you are going to be living in. It easier for getting insurance, hiring cars and it fits in your wallet so you don't have to worry about carrying you're Irish one around.

pred racer

jackofalltrades wrote: »

but I'd get a licence for whatever state you are going to be living in. It easier for getting insurance, hiring cars and it fits in your wallet so you don't have to worry about carrying you're Irish one around.

+1
most states require you to get a licence if you are staying more than a couple of weeks, its less hassle in pubs/with police etc if you have the yank licence. the tests are simple (i passed in 3 different states and tbh my 13yr old daughter can drive well enough to pass) and you can go down the dmv and walk out with your licence a couple of hours later. I cant comment on insurance as my company always paid it.

Gregor Samsa

heartofwhite wrote: »

I am going to pop in and get a international driving permit tomorrow to go along with my licence. As far as I can see that is all I really need. But still not sure!

Waste of time and money. An IDP is simply a certified translation of your licence. You don't need it for any English speaking country, nor for any EU country.

You'd need one if you were going to drive in China. Not for the US.

As for a getting a US licence, check the laws of the State - you might need one if you're staying over a particular length of time. If you are using your Irish licence, be prepared for people to think you made it yourself - the crappy paper format of our licences look suspect to people used to plastic credit card sized ones.

bladespin

Contact the US embassy.

TwoShedsJackson

You don't need the IDP, you only need that if your licence isn't in English or doesn't have a photo of you on it, neither of which is the case with your Irish licence.

lynchie

cancan wrote: »

You can drive on irish lic for 6 months.
Get a driving history form from the co council to get the lowest rates on insurance. My company accepted one anyway, so you immediatly get cheap insurance.
Test is simple, and done in a few mins.

Depends on the state you are in. Massachusetts allows you to drive for up to 1 year on your Irish licence before having to take the US test.

CharlieCroker

lynchie wrote: »

Depends on the state you are in. Massachusetts allows you to drive for up to 1 year on your Irish licence before having to take the US test.

+1
Spoke to my buddy and he says he'll have to do a test in the next few months because he's there since October. Thats in Boston, anyway.

maxwell smart

In New Jersey they will accept your licence at the local DMV, you don't have to actually do a driving test, only a theory test. Its the easiest test I ever did, I got 100% and the guy who gave me my licence (there and then) told me that it had been nearly 8 months since anyone got that score.
Some examples of the questions:
When driving in wet condition do you A, Speed up or b slow down
What do you consider the alcoholic beverage most responsible for car crashes in New Jersey A Whiskey, B Vodka, C Beer

Hilarious! Gotta love the yanks

Jip

All those people saying you don't need an IDP, you don't for the rental of cars etc but if you do get stopped by the Police and asked to produce your licence they'll tell you you need an IDP. I lived there for over a year and never bothered with one but got stopped one day and was told to get one so you're better off getting one if you're going to be there long term to be keep things handy for yourself.

mik_da_man

Yep above is true.
I seen it on an episode of cops where he stopped an english girl, she was informed that she must carry an IDP, she was only on holidays IIRC

lynchie

Jip wrote: »

All those people saying you don't need an IDP, you don't for the rental of cars etc but if you do get stopped by the Police and asked to produce your licence they'll tell you you need an IDP. I lived there for over a year and never bothered with one but got stopped one day and was told to get one so you're better off getting one if you're going to be there long term to be keep things handy for yourself.

Well according to the Mass Reg of Motor Vehicles its not required if your licence is in English. Just checked NY state's requirements and its the same.

I've been stopped by traffic cops in Boston before and only ever had to show them my Irish licence.

"Massachusetts wrote:

Is a foreign licensed driver required to carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) when driving in Massachusetts?

No. Although some countries require a foreign motorist to possess an IDP, the United States has not done so. It is suggested, however, that he/she carry an IDP if the foreign license is not printed in the English language.

Eoin

I didn't need to display it when I was over there, but for the sake of €5 it's hardly the end of the world if you don't need it.

pow wow

The short answer is it varies from state to state so it's best to google the DMV of the state you're going to move to and look at their requirements. When I lived there my local DMV required foreigners who were residing for 3 months plus to sit a short test and get a state licence - the Irish one was not sufficient.

Kenny_D

mik_da_man wrote: »

Yep above is true.
I seen it on an episode of cops where he stopped an english girl, she was informed that she must carry an IDP, she was only on holidays IIRC

Haha I think I saw that like 2 weeks ago. Driving a rented jeep with her friend and 3 times went through a stop sign on the same road

Saruman

TwoShedsJackson wrote: »

You don't need the IDP, you only need that if your licence isn't in English or doesn't have a photo of you on it, neither of which is the case with your Irish licence.

That is misleading info there. The US is massive beyond our ability to comprehend. Different states, even different counties have different requirements.
I can tell you for a fact that in Michigan, at least one insurance company needs an international drivers license.

The only advice is to check where you are going first.

Also you might as well get one here as you can not get one there as far as I know.