drivers license for new jersey

canadabound1

i was wondering does anyone know if i can drive on my irish drivers license in new jersey or do i have to do a thoery and driving test in new jersey? i am going on a 12 month j1 visa.

thanks

ProudDUB

According the the official state of NJ's website, ( http://www.nj.gov/mvc/Licenses/ ) a person moving to NJ must acquire a NJ license within in 60 days of moving there.

http://www.nj.gov/mvc/Vehicle/moving_to_nj/license01.htm

All the info & paperwork needed is here:

Licenses for non citizens.

http://www.nj.gov/mvc/Licenses/LicensesNon-Citizens.htm

Fact sheet for J1 & excahange students.

http://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/dmv_factsheet.pdf

canadabound1

thanks proudDUB for the information. i looked through that information you gave me but i couldn't find anything if i had to do a theory and driving test. some people say that i might have to do a theory test and some are saying that i will have to do both a theory and driving test. hopefully i get away without doing both

InTheTrees

I dont know about NJ but Ive done driving tests in California and Washington and its usually a pretty fast process. Not even close to what is required in IE.

The "theory" is a multiple choice test which seems more about testing your knowledge of english. Scan the drivers handbook before you do it and you'll be fine. The "practical" portion of the test is to see if you can keep the vehicle under control while driving around the block, thats about it really. I'm not sure how bad you'd have to be to fail. If you're clinically blind it might resent some problems.

If you're thinking this process bears much resemblance to the driving test in ireland you'll get a surprise. With your Irish license and 60 days driving in NJ you'll be fine, I can almost guarantee it.

canadabound1

thanks inthetrees for the information. just wondering, is Ireland a member of the united nations convention on road traffic?

Amerika

Is this what you’re looking for?
http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/pdf/Manuals/drivermanual.pdf

The tests are the least of your problems in New Jersey. Plan on selling blood on a weekly basis just to pay for the auto insurance, especially if you live in a city. Jersey drivers are plain nuts! And you'll love all the regulations and taxes there... not. I can't even use my boat in NJ without getting a license from the DMV - a wasted day for nothing more than to fill out a form and pay a fee, and also a requirement for a proper boaters safety and operator's license.

McSween

I went in to the Daytona Beach (Florida) office and they tested my eyes. So if you think you may not be able to read the letters then you may need an eye test done. My right eye wasnt getting any right so they suggested I get an optician to complete a form - probably just to state my eye wasnt blind and could be corrected with lenses.

In Florida the licence is only valid for the duration of the visa so as I only had 6 more weeks I wasnt paying 50 to an optician and 40 for the licence. If I go next year Ill get a cheaper test here and get them to fill out the Florida form