Driving in the U.S. with a foreign license

The general pattern

Visitors can usually drive with a valid license from home. Once you become a resident of a state, you must get that state's license within a deadline, and in most cases pass its tests. Only a few states exchange licenses from certain countries without tests.

New York

• You can drive in New York with a valid license from another country. You need a New York license only if you become a New York resident.
• To get one, you must pass a written test, complete a five-hour pre-licensing course and pass a road test.
• If your license is not in English, bring an International Driving Permit or a certified translation to the road test. After you pass, you give your foreign license to the examiner.

Texas

• Texas has license reciprocity with France, Germany, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates and Taiwan: with a valid license from one of them, adults do not take the knowledge or skills exam.
• A valid foreign license lets you drive for up to 90 days after moving to Texas.
• Licenses not written in English or Spanish must be translated.

California

• Visitors over 18 with a valid home license may drive without a California license while it remains valid.
• New residents must get a California license within 10 days.
• Applicants take a knowledge test and a vision exam, have a photo taken, and take a driving test if necessary.

Florida

• Visitors must carry a valid driver's license.
• New residents must get a Florida license within 30 days. You are a resident if, for example, you enroll children in public school, register to vote, accept a job or live in Florida for more than six months in a row.

Before the knowledge test

If you must take your state's written test, practise in your state's real format, switching between English and your language to learn the English road terms.