U.S. Drivers license

[Sebulba]

Hello,

Thanks a lot for the little reminder of the cynical and suspicious nature of so many people that we are glad we don't have to regularly deal with in the states.

Sorry if I offended your in any way.

You are right I haven't contributed anything, quite frankly I am a verrry novice sailor and am here to learn and so, I have very little to contribute.

I've learned not to speak up unless I have something of value to say.

I will try not to be a further bother to you, but if I am I hope you speak up and let me know, OK?

Thanks

Seb

Originally Posted by Time2Go

Sorry Seb
I'm not giving you any advice
I don't believe a word you say
First post, not related to sailing and you phish for info
on obtaining a valid US drivers license.
How stupid do you think we are???

[Sebulba]

Yes, it is true and i know of an outfit in Rapid City that can help with that. One reason I am looking at Texas and Florida is that actually have some interest in going to either of those states if needed. South Dakota does nothing for me. I lived about 200 miles form Rapid City for about 10 years.

But it still may be and option.

Thanks for you input.

Seb

Originally Posted by dwedeking2

South Dakota has a pretty good system set up for nomads in regards to driver's license and vehicle registrations. A lot of expats I knew when I lived in Mexico set everything up through them because the initial set up and renewals were easy. Do a google search for "South Dakota drivers license nomad"

[Sebulba]

Hello,

I guess I was a little unclear and yes I know that International Drivers Licenses are reciprocal. I just have interest or need for a drivers license here in Europe, I don't drive here.

Yes, that is the requirement -- residency -- those are the hoops that would need to be jumped through.

By being stuck at the airport I am talking about if I have no license because my current one has expired (which it hasn't yet, it's good till 2018), because then I couldn't rent a car and go anywhere.

I am not looking to circumvent any laws, simply keeping my U.S. License valid, nothing more.

Sorry for the confusion.

Seb

Originally Posted by Shrew

Most states, including Florida require residence. You can google the requirements for each state. License are issued per state, and there are 50 of them.

Example (Florida):

New Drivers License or ID
If you are applying for a new Florida Drivers License, ID Card, or have legally changed your name you MUST PROVIDE the DOCUMENTS listed below

Document requirments include: Primary Identification, Proof of Social Security Number, 2 Proofs of Residential Address

International licenses are reciprocal. Why would you need a license issued by a state in the US? The reasoning behind being stuck at the airport makes no sense. You would need a valid international passport to clear into the US, even if you were a US citizen. A drivers license would not allow you to clear into the US.

This sounds more like you're trying to travel as a US citizen without valid papers. I would be more interested in hearing the reasoning before providing you more information on how to circumvent state laws and Federal regulations.

[Sebulba]

Yes, that is true, but I don't have a license in Europe, I don't need one, I don't need or want to drive here.

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

FWIW: EU driver licenses are fully accepted in the USA; no need for an International drivers license anymore.

[Hudson Force]

Originally Posted by Sebulba

..............
........... I have no license because my current one has expired (which it hasn't yet, it's good till 2018) ................ I am not looking to circumvent any laws, simply keeping my U.S. License valid, nothing more.

Sorry for the confusion.

Seb

What confusion? Your current expired license has not expired and you want a US driver's license, but you already have one that you're not renewing in 2018. ... and you say your reminded of the "cynical and suspicious" nature of people that you deal with in the States. You don't want to jump through any hoops, but you're not looking to circumvent any laws. ...

You may say that you are sorry for the confusion, but you are very confusing.

[valhalla360]

Florida and some other states may not play nice but in Michigan, they S.O.S actually suggested just putting down a relatives address. This was after asking the employee how to go about renewing when we moved aboard.

We've renewed while overseas. They have the option primarily to accommodate military personnel but also to address people working overseas.

Side note: An international drivers license is really just a translation of your drivers license and is not valid without the original license. A lot of countries no longer require it but even some modern countries still require it (spain for example)

[Sebulba]

Hello,

Yes it is but I have no need for a license here and would find it difficult to get one probably. I would only need a license in the states for visits or if I moved back there.

Thanks

Seb

Originally Posted by mynameismud

As Jedi said a Eu license is acceptable in the US. Just check at car rental places you may need to pay more for a rental. I remember my Aussie friends who came over paid for the car but rented it in my name since I drove them all around the east coast. I think the reason was they wanted extra for a non us renter to be the primary driver on the rental.

[Sebulba]

Thanks Rhapsody,

These are the hoops I am wanting to have figured out before I make the trip back to the states to renew my license. At present I have no address in the states or U.S. residency, but I know full time RV'rs somehow are able to have a license, and of course full time cruisers.

Seb

Originally Posted by Rhapsody-NS27

I feel like some things like this could be difficult when they keep asking for at least 2 items to prove residency, like utility bills, mortgage statement, rental agreement, etc., in order to obtain/renew a drivers license. I've wondered how much of a headache it is for people who go sailing full time or RVing when there is no other ties to conventional housing.

Another way to keep you tied down so they can tax you as much as they can, it seems.

[Sebulba]

Wow, that's creative. Not sure why a person would want to do that, but it's interesting.

Seb

Originally Posted by bobnlesley

No, get a European AND a US licence: Many years ago we had a good friend who was both British and American, after passing his driving test in the USA he came to England and on the strength of the US licence, he obtained a British one too. He spent about six months of the year in both UK/USA but if stopped by the police in either country, he would produce his licence from the other, speak with his most pronounced English or Alabama accent to match it and invariably drive off with just a warning rather than a ticket.

[Sebulba]

Hello Dockhead,

Maybe I should just check if I can renew my WY license by mail, maybe that is possible.

Thanks for the idea.

Seb

Originally Posted by Dockhead

The problem for very many cruisers is that to get a European license, you ALSO need to be a resident of that country. Why does anyone think that the Europeans are looser than the Americans? And most Europeans define residency much more strictly than American states do -- you have to be registered with the police, pay taxes, have their SS number, etc. -- something no cruiser is likely to ever achieve even after decades.

So if you are really a nomad, you are screwed! You are not legally entitled to a U.S. license, and you'll never get a European one if you're just cruising from country to country.

Some people (not naming any names here) keep their U.S. licenses for even decades after leaving the country. Many states will let you renew by mail and will even mail the license to an address out of state. It is ILLEGAL to obtain or (probably) renew a U.S. driver's license if you are not an actual resident of the state, and I believe there are serious penalties involved, so do this at your own risk. But very many "nomad" cruisers do exactly that.

[Sebulba]

Hello Paul L,

That is interesting, if WY has a similar provision, that could be the easiest solution.

Thanks

Seb

Originally Posted by Paul L

Not sure what you mean by this. Leaving on sailboat to spend significant time out side the country does not mean you loose your residency status in your prior state, even if you no longer have a home in that state. I'm sure the rules vary a bit from state to state. In Washington there are some fairly clear statements.

If you are a United States citizen living abroad, you may use your last Washington address

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by bobnlesley

No, get a European AND a US licence: Many years ago we had a good friend who was both British and American, after passing his driving test in the USA he came to England and on the strength of the US licence, he obtained a British one too. He spent about six months of the year in both UK/USA but if stopped by the police in either country, he would produce his licence from the other, speak with his most pronounced English or Alabama accent to match it and invariably drive off with just a warning rather than a ticket.

Fun story.

There may even be a bit of truth...until a cop plugs the name into the computer and it says he has local license...suddenly, the cop goes from not wanting any complications dealing with an international license...to he appears to be hiding something, I'm going to dig around until I find it.

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by Sebulba

Hello Paul L,

That is interesting, if WY has a similar provision, that could be the easiest solution.

Thanks

Seb

The only catch is you need an address and a PO box likely won't cut it. As we were told, we can't live at the post office.

This is where St. Brendan's is a work around. They will let you use their address. A little sketchy but I really don't think the states really care.

[Sebulba]

Hello Valhalla,

Yaahh, Florida or Texas don't seem to work like what you are describing in Michigan.

International drivers license -- kind of a joke it seems. 3 years ago before we moved here I went to AAA and paid them the $25 for one. Seemed pretty snarfy and never used it.

Thanks

Seb

Originally Posted by valhalla360

Florida and some other states may not play nice but in Michigan, they S.O.S actually suggested just putting down a relatives address. This was after asking the employee how to go about renewing when we moved aboard.

We've renewed while overseas. They have the option primarily to accommodate military personnel but also to address people working overseas.

Side note: An international drivers license is really just a translation of your drivers license and is not valid without the original license. A lot of countries no longer require it but even some modern countries still require it (spain for example)

[Sebulba]

Hello Vallhalla,

Yes, and the first time I called St Brendan's it was simpler than it is now. Still doable, but an additional step seems to be involved now. If you are using them for this, you may not want to assume it is the same as it was last time you renewed. Just a heads up.

Thanks

Seb

Originally Posted by valhalla360

The only catch is you need an address and a PO box likely won't cut it. As we were told, we can't live at the post office.

This is where St. Brendan's is a work around. They will let you use their address. A little sketchy but I really don't think the states really care.