U.S. Drivers license

[Sebulba]

Hello all,

I am new here and willing to learn, it looks like a great wealth of experience and knowledge here.

I do have something that I am trying to figure out that isn't directly related to cruising, but I can see that some here may have the solution if you are live aboard and sailing around the world --

You see, I now live most of the time in Europe. I have no U.S. home base, but I want to keep a U.S. drivers license active. I mean let's face it if I don't have a license I'd be stuck at the airport if I came to visit, right.

So, it seems to be a bit difficult to do. I am thinking I would like a Florida License since they are valid for 8 years. Or maybe a Texas license. In Florida I found a mail service, St. Brendan's Isle, that looks like they can help, but there are some hoops that have to be jumped through.

So, I open it up to you, what is the best solution? I have 2 years left on my Wyoming License and plan to visit the U.S. to renew my license in the spring of 2018. So if you have a game plan or idea I would really appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.

Seb

[hoppy]

Get a licence from where you live in Europe and get an international licence (if needed) for when you return to the US

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Seb.

[Rustic Charm]

Welcome aboard

Make sure you take into consideration whatever local laws apply

[chuckr]

we are from Fla and use St Brendan's Isle -- I have to reup next year so will see as I am over 70 by then and they may want a test - but St Brendan's has been great - tell them SoulMates sent you


OH and don't forget Fla is no income tax state.

[denverd0n]

Originally Posted by hoppy

Get a licence from where you live in Europe and get an international licence (if needed) for when you return to the US

This. An international license will be recognized in the United States.

Or, if you have any other reasons for wanting to have an "official" address in the United States, then St. Brendan's Isle has been in business for a long time, and has a great reputation among cruisers. Yes, there are a few hoops to jump through, but really nothing serious.

Good luck.

[RTB]

Originally Posted by Sebulba

Or maybe a Texas license.

I'm pretty sure you would need to have a Texas address. The license is good for 6 years, but you need to renew in person every other time.

Ralph

[Time2Go]

Originally Posted by Sebulba

Hello all,

I am new here and willing to learn, it looks like a great wealth of experience and knowledge here.

I do have something that I am trying to figure out that isn't directly related to cruising, but I can see that some here may have the solution if you are live aboard and sailing around the world --

You see, I now live most of the time in Europe. I have no U.S. home base, but I want to keep a U.S. drivers license active. I mean let's face it if I don't have a license I'd be stuck at the airport if I came to visit, right.

So, it seems to be a bit difficult to do. I am thinking I would like a Florida License since they are valid for 8 years. Or maybe a Texas license. In Florida I found a mail service, St. Brendan's Isle, that looks like they can help, but there are some hoops that have to be jumped through.

So, I open it up to you, what is the best solution? I have 2 years left on my Wyoming License and plan to visit the U.S. to renew my license in the spring of 2018. So if you have a game plan or idea I would really appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.

Seb

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???

[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"

[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.

[s/v Jedi]

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

[nauticalnomad]

I have been travelling for 15 yrs now on my Australian license and i always when stopped say im leaving the country next week... Never had any issues and been stopped heaps. They cant even take it off you in a foreign country as its a legal document from another country. I was only ever going to get an exchange license when/if i decide to go home for good then id always be on vacation there..International license is a money scam by non govt motoring schemes. Its a piece of paper that costs you money to show alongside your DL. As long as your license is not in chinese or arabic and is readable then you are permitted whilst on holidays to drive on it. You are obviously on holidays as you are not in your home country... Arent you......!

[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.

[s/v Jedi]

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.

That may be true for other nations but not for EU licenses. The only difference I ever noticed was an extra charge for young drivers.

There can be flukes: Home Depot rents out a truck and they could not enter my EU drivers license number in their terminal so I could not rent it. I have used every rental agency all over the US and never had trouble since I got the EU license.

[mynameismud]

That's good to hear. It was a few years back I do not remember all the details.