How to retain US license when U.K. resident

Hi all,

I’ve searched the site but haven’t found the answer so please excuse me if this has been addressed a lot already....

How do I retain my US (VA) driver’s license if am no longer a resident of the state?  I know the states are all different but I’d like to hear others’ experiences.

I am in the U.K. on a spouse visa.  I sold my house in the US already (this was address for my license).  I’ve only been in UK a month and I need my US license to drive here until I take/pass the U.K. test. I also have to go back to the US for work soon and will need to drive when there. Grrr.

Do you reckon I could change my address with the DMV to my sister’s house or a friend’s?  That way, I’ll have an address in the state.  VA does make exceptions for students and military to live out of the state or country but I don’t fall under those categories.

What did you guys do?

Thanks!

That is a tough one, given that you need to travel back to the US before you have your UK licence. I've not been in that situation as the first time back to the USA and hiring a car I was able to use by UK licence. I knew 2 folks while I was living in the US who got stopped for speeding and had an extra small fine added because their driving licence did not have their current address on.  However, VA may not allow someone who is not resident to actually own a VA driving licence so I personally would be super cautious and not attempt to hire a car or change my address to a relative's address to attempt to skirt the law as it may well be invalidating the car insurance.

If your firm requires you to travel back to the USA on business then my advice would be to use taxis or some other arrangement. An International Driving Licence may be an option, worth investigating perhaps.

I use my parent's address for a USA license.  Now that I have a UK license, I don't use the USA license anymore.  And I would let it lapse, but those Florida resident discounts at theme parks are worth it!   

I would switch it to a family member's home for now.  But Virginia has tough state tax laws for former residents living abroad.  You'll want to research that and I suspect ditch the Virginia license at the first opportunity!

I know that this is a bit debated and may vary state by state, but I've kept my US license. I really don't like the idea of it lapsing either, as we may move to the USA in the future (though since I've passed the UK driving test, I feel that I can pass anything).

Before I moved to the UK I only ever lived with my parents (except while at college), so that's the address that my license is linked to. My US bank accounts are also linked to my parents' address. Not like I'm just using some random friend's address or something.

A while back I spoke to a rep at the Ohio BMV who said that I could still keep my OH license while living abroad. That's the info I was told, and I'm sticking to it !

To be on the safe side I always carry both my Ohio and UK license with me while I'm driving in the US... in case I was ever pulled over or in an accident.

In California, once you legally leave the state, your license goes tits up. It's based on residency. (Unless you are military, then other rules apply.) So, either pay California income tax or file as non-resident and give up the licence. (Bummer.)

Also, something to consider, they are switching (per Homeland Security) to "real" ID - so when your particular state's license comes up for renewal, you may have to physically present some documentation. As of now it's voluntary that you get one of those cards, but I bet it's coming down the pipeline that they'll be mandatory at some future date.   https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/realid

Also, from the DMV website:  The State of California does not recognize an International Driving Permit (IDP) as a valid driver license. California does recognize a valid driver license that is issued by a foreign jurisdiction (country, state, territory) of which the license holder is a resident.  The IDP is only a translation of information contained on a person's foreign driver license and is not required to operate a motor vehicle in California. Citations issued to a person in California who has an IDP, but does not have a California driver license will be placed on the Department of Motor Vehicle database. The IDP is also called an International Driver License, International License, etc.

Thanks for the replies everybody. One last question: without having my VA license, will it impose that much extra headache in terms of getting my U.K. license? I know I’ll be treated as a learner driver that has never driven a car but it is the licensing process that much different? We live in London and I haven’t really needed to drive since I got here. But I need to have a driver’s license generally so it should be here. Thanks!

Thanks for the replies everybody. One last question: without having my VA license, will it impose that much extra headache in terms of getting my U.K. license? I know I’ll be treated as a learner driver that has never driven a car but it is the licensing process that much different? We live in London and I haven’t really needed to drive since I got here. But I need to have a driver’s license generally so it should be here. Thanks!

If you still had a valid US driving license in your first year over here, you could take yourself out to wherever you want to go to practice driving.  Without a valid US driving license, you would be restricted to the rules of the provisional license: you would need to have L plates on your car, and you'd have to always be accompanied by a licensed driver over some minimum age that I didn't pay attention to because my husband was in his 30s when I was learning.  You also won't be permitted to drive on the motorway unless accompanied by an approved driving instructor and in a car fitted with dual controls.  But if you live in London, I suspect that won't be an issue for you.  You'll just have to find a driving instructor and get on with getting your full license.