US drivers license/EU
Feb 6, 2008, 3:12 am
#1
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US drivers license/EU
A question for the specialists: ( I am asking for a co-workers kid, I have my regular EU license and am happy with it 
)
Let's assume a 16 year old EU citizen has obtained a US drivers license( as a permanent resident). How old does he have to be to use it in Europe? Is there an age requirement for the "international driving permit" ? Since in most of Europe the drivers license can only be obtained at age 18 or, with additional training, 17, I doubt that 16 is old enough to drive in the EU, even with a valid US license.
Any thoughts?
)Let's assume a 16 year old EU citizen has obtained a US drivers license( as a permanent resident). How old does he have to be to use it in Europe? Is there an age requirement for the "international driving permit" ? Since in most of Europe the drivers license can only be obtained at age 18 or, with additional training, 17, I doubt that 16 is old enough to drive in the EU, even with a valid US license.
Any thoughts?
Last edited by theduke; Feb 6, 2008 at 3:22 am
Feb 6, 2008, 3:40 am
#2
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Not possible
Let's assume a 16 year old EU citizen has obtained a US drivers license (as a permanent resident). How old does he have to be to use it in Europe? Is there an age requirement for the "international driving permit" ? Since in most of Europe the drivers license can only be obtained at age 18 or, with additional training, 17, I doubt that 16 is old enough to drive in the EU, even with a valid US license.
To my knowledge, you cannot use a drivers license from a non-EU country if you live permanently in the EU, i.e. you have to get a new one issued within a certain time period or you risk driving a car without a license ... For transferring the license usually certain rules apply, i.e. you must have the minimum age, i.e. 18, and you need to have this license for a minimum amount of time before entering the EU, e.g. 6 months.
Using a US license in combination with an international license does not help either, since you are REQUIRED to transfer your license which implies that from day 1 on the rules (age, time of possession, ...) apply.
Feb 6, 2008, 4:22 am
#3
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Moving this post to the Europe forum. Thanks for your understanding.
Jouy31
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Jouy31
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Feb 6, 2008, 4:44 am
#4
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Let's assume a 16 year old EU citizen has obtained a US drivers license( as a permanent resident). How old does he have to be to use it in Europe? Is there an age requirement for the "international driving permit" ? Since in most of Europe the drivers license can only be obtained at age 18 or, with additional training, 17, I doubt that 16 is old enough to drive in the EU, even with a valid US license.
Any thoughts?
In this instance it would be illegal for the 16 yr old to drive, in the same way I guess it would be illegal in Saudi Arabia for a woman to drive.....them's the laws
Feb 6, 2008, 5:27 am
#5
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A friend of mine was in this situation when he spent a year studying abroad at a high school in the US when he was 16. During his stay, he got a driving licence in Florida (I think), and was officially allowed to use it for 6 months after he returned. Unofficially, he used it a lot longer than that, though I don't know how advisable that would be. For a regular traffic stop, it would not be much of an issue I suppose, but you could get into all sorts of trouble with your insurance company or even the police if you get into an accident (think "driving without a valid licence").
He was able to get the licence transferred when he turned 18 though, which greatly reduced the cost of getting his EU driving licence.
He was able to get the licence transferred when he turned 18 though, which greatly reduced the cost of getting his EU driving licence.
Feb 6, 2008, 2:42 pm
#6
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Many countries will not consider the possession of a US DL when applying for a DL for that country. Check with the local police station.
I called the US Embassy in Vienna and simply asked the question as you stated it. The answer from them was:
The driver's license is invalid immediately upon surrendering residence in the USA for everyone that takes up residence abroad. (official answer) Not everyone completely does away with their US residency (unofficial)
No one under the age of 18 may operate a motor vehicle in the EU unless they have a special permit issued by the country in which one is driving. Austria does not under any circumstance authorize 16 year olds.
All Austria residence's, regardless of nationality must obtain a driver's license from Austria. US driver's license are not valid for: More than 6 months. Tourist or temporary visitors or workers only. Not in lieu of a test.
YMMV
I called the US Embassy in Vienna and simply asked the question as you stated it. The answer from them was:
The driver's license is invalid immediately upon surrendering residence in the USA for everyone that takes up residence abroad. (official answer) Not everyone completely does away with their US residency (unofficial)
No one under the age of 18 may operate a motor vehicle in the EU unless they have a special permit issued by the country in which one is driving. Austria does not under any circumstance authorize 16 year olds.
All Austria residence's, regardless of nationality must obtain a driver's license from Austria. US driver's license are not valid for: More than 6 months. Tourist or temporary visitors or workers only. Not in lieu of a test.
YMMV
Feb 6, 2008, 3:00 pm
#7
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It depends on the country--local regulations and reciprocal agreements will affect length of validity and conversion/exchange options.
In Germany, a non-EU driver's license (from most countries) is valid for 6 months from arrival. Its validity can be extended up to an additional six months if you can show them that you are planning to leave within a year of entry. You have three years to convert the license into a German license, and conversion rules apply based on the state that issues your license. For example, 27 US States have reciprocal agreements with Germany wherein both the written and road test are waived and 10 have agreements where the road test is waived. Information is available here: http://www.amcham.de/location-german...s-license.html
This applies only to Germany!
In Germany, a non-EU driver's license (from most countries) is valid for 6 months from arrival. Its validity can be extended up to an additional six months if you can show them that you are planning to leave within a year of entry. You have three years to convert the license into a German license, and conversion rules apply based on the state that issues your license. For example, 27 US States have reciprocal agreements with Germany wherein both the written and road test are waived and 10 have agreements where the road test is waived. Information is available here: http://www.amcham.de/location-german...s-license.html
This applies only to Germany!
Feb 6, 2008, 3:16 pm
#8
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Let's assume a 16 year old EU citizen has obtained a US drivers license( as a permanent resident). How old does he have to be to use it in Europe? Is there an age requirement for the "international driving permit" ? Since in most of Europe the drivers license can only be obtained at age 18 or, with additional training, 17, I doubt that 16 is old enough to drive in the EU, even with a valid US license.
In German:
http://www.tuev-sued.de/uploads/imag...0636/1_130.PDF
Sep 30, 2009, 5:54 pm
#9
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An international driving permit is really just a translation of the drivers home license and is really only necessary in countries that do not use the Roman alphabet I have never obtained one and I have driven all over Europe on an NSW drivers license. It does not imply a right to drive in any country.
In this instance it would be illegal for the 16 yr old to drive, in the same way I guess it would be illegal in Saudi Arabia for a woman to drive.....them's the laws
In this instance it would be illegal for the 16 yr old to drive, in the same way I guess it would be illegal in Saudi Arabia for a woman to drive.....them's the laws
What you drove all though europe on a australian licence nsw without a idp, How did you manage that without getting caught..
I have tryed to apply for a EU UK Drivers licence, the DVLA won't allow this unless you are a resident of the Uk for 185 days, and they don't recognize non EU Country licences.
I have tryed france and Germany in Germany you have to be completly retersted at great expense.
The direct gov uk website , has all the info about the uk regulations , but dosn't make any sense.
Sep 30, 2009, 6:23 pm
#10
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What you drove all though europe on a australian licence nsw without a idp, How did you manage that without getting caught..
I have tryed to apply for a EU UK Drivers licence, the DVLA won't allow this unless you are a resident of the Uk for 185 days, and they don't recognize non EU Country licences.
I have tryed france and Germany in Germany you have to be completly retersted at great expense.
The direct gov uk website , has all the info about the uk regulations , but dosn't make any sense.
I have tryed to apply for a EU UK Drivers licence, the DVLA won't allow this unless you are a resident of the Uk for 185 days, and they don't recognize non EU Country licences.
I have tryed france and Germany in Germany you have to be completly retersted at great expense.
The direct gov uk website , has all the info about the uk regulations , but dosn't make any sense.
Someone visiting the EU with an Australian license won't generally have troubles; most EU countries don't require an IDP for most Roman-script licenses and some others don't enforce that rule (note: it's not a bad thing to have nonetheless).
As for your case, I assume you are now living in the EU, perhaps in the UK. If you reside there, you can't use a foreign license indefinitely. Where is your license from and what is your citizenship and Visa/residence status in the EU?
Sep 30, 2009, 7:35 pm
#11
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Your post is really hard to follow.
Someone visiting the EU with an Australian license won't generally have troubles; most EU countries don't require an IDP for most Roman-script licenses and some others don't enforce that rule (note: it's not a bad thing to have nonetheless).
As for your case, I assume you are now living in the EU, perhaps in the UK. If you reside there, you can't use a foreign license indefinitely. Where is your license from and what is your citizenship and Visa/residence status in the EU?
Someone visiting the EU with an Australian license won't generally have troubles; most EU countries don't require an IDP for most Roman-script licenses and some others don't enforce that rule (note: it's not a bad thing to have nonetheless).
As for your case, I assume you are now living in the EU, perhaps in the UK. If you reside there, you can't use a foreign license indefinitely. Where is your license from and what is your citizenship and Visa/residence status in the EU?
What I need is to be able to charge over my Australian licence (without surrendering it) for a UK Licence and not have to take knowlege and practical test. I would then what to apply for C1 provissional Entilement some i could do a course in the Uk or EU,
But the uk and other eu countrys won't recognize a non EU DRIVERS Licence
that is the problem , I went to the trouble of getting a IDP from the USA, and this won't help either.
Sep 30, 2009, 7:44 pm
#12
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 8
this is the response from Direct Gov Uk website
Conclusion
you will not be able to drive a lorry, minibus or bus in Great Britain (GB) if you have a full, valid driving licence from any other country
you can drive a car and or motorcycle, provided your licence remains, valid for up to 12 months from the day you become resident in GB
you will not be able to exchange your licence for a GB licence
if you wish to continue driving in GB after the 12 months is over you will need to get a GB provisional driving licence and sit a theory and practical driving test
i tryed the uk provisional and can't get one
Conclusion
you will not be able to drive a lorry, minibus or bus in Great Britain (GB) if you have a full, valid driving licence from any other country
you can drive a car and or motorcycle, provided your licence remains, valid for up to 12 months from the day you become resident in GB
you will not be able to exchange your licence for a GB licence
if you wish to continue driving in GB after the 12 months is over you will need to get a GB provisional driving licence and sit a theory and practical driving test
i tryed the uk provisional and can't get one
Sep 30, 2009, 7:45 pm
#13
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No at present I am stiil in Austrralia, I cannot apply for a Uk provisional Licence because i am not a resident of the uk for 185 days blah blah blah.
What I need is to be able to charge over my Australian licence (without surrendering it) for a UK Licence and not have to take knowlege and practical test. I would then what to apply for C1 provissional Entilement some i could do a course in the Uk or EU,
But the uk and other eu countrys won't recognize a non EU DRIVERS Licence
that is the problem , I went to the trouble of getting a IDP from the USA, and this won't help either.
What I need is to be able to charge over my Australian licence (without surrendering it) for a UK Licence and not have to take knowlege and practical test. I would then what to apply for C1 provissional Entilement some i could do a course in the Uk or EU,
But the uk and other eu countrys won't recognize a non EU DRIVERS Licence
that is the problem , I went to the trouble of getting a IDP from the USA, and this won't help either.
Oct 1, 2009, 2:48 am
#15
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Most (?all) EU countries recognise a NSW (and other Australian) driving licences for visitors. In the UK, for example, one can drive on a NSW driving licence for 6 months after arrival in the UK. The same, or similar, provisions apply in other EU countries. An international driving permit is not required.