Driving in Texas, one for the experts

I am a US citizen. My husband is a UK citizen only. We actually live in the UK, and have done so for years. I am also a UK citizen, but it’s obvious when I open my mouth that I am American in origin. I even have a southern accent from a childhood in Georgia.

I am a citizen of the US, UK, and Canada.

My husband has been offered six months work in Texas. I will be going with him. We both have UK driving licenses. The websites seem to indicate that he can get a temp license being a UK citizen, but I can’t? (Being American. )

I’d rather be stuck on a bus than give up my UK driving license since I refuse to take the UK driving test (I traded in my Canadian license) and there is no reciprocity US to UK.  I will be returning to the UK at least once during this time to check on our home in Scotland.

We are not setting up residency in Texas. But we will need to buy and insure a beater car for the six months.

Can anyone  set us straight? What are the rules? Am I stuck on the bus??? (No one is prying that UK license out of my hot little hands!)

From looking at the DPS website, it seems as though because there is no reciprocity agreement between the U.K. and the US, in order to get a Texas licence, you won’t be asked to give up your U.K. licence anyway.

It just says that to get a Texas licence you have to take and pass the Texas driving tests. There is no mention of having to give up your U.K. licence at all.

And even if your licence was from a country with a reciprocity agreement, if you didn’t want to give up your foreign licence, you would simply have to take the driving tests instead of exchanging your licence.

http://www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/movingtotexas.htm

From that link:

Applicants who have a driver license from any country other than the U.S., Canada, France, South Korea, Germany or Taiwan must take and pass both the knowledge and skills exams.




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I didn’t want to take a test. Sorry, forgot to mention that.

Why would you need anything other than your UK license? Tourists drive on their UK licenses all the time, legally.

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Why would you need anything other than your UK license? Tourists drive on their UK licenses all the time, legally.

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I was going to post the same thing, but then I checked the Texas DPS rules and apparently you can only drive in Texas on an out-of-state or foreign licence for 90 days (whereas other states allow up to 1 year).

You can drive on a foreign license for the first 90 days.  After that, it's either take the test (which will be an easy pass) or don't drive.  I'm afraid you won't be able to have it both ways (allowed to drive without taking a test).

I was going to post the same thing, but then I checked the Texas DPS rules and apparently you can only drive in Texas on an out-of-state or foreign licence for 90 days (whereas other states allow up to 1 year).

Ah. Well, I guess it's taking a bus for 3 months then.

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I didn’t want to take a test. Sorry, forgot to mention that.

In that case, it sounds like your only option would be to drive on your UK licence for the first 90 days and then stop driving completely until you go back to the UK.

Aren't US driving tests really easy though? I've heard of people getting their US licences after only spending a total of 2 hours learning to drive.

In that case, it sounds like your only option would be to drive on your UK licence for the first 90 days and then stop driving completely until you go back to the UK.

Aren't US driving tests really easy though? I've heard of people getting their US licences after only spending a total of 2 hours learning to drive.

Yeah, you don't need lessons if you are an experienced driver.  Personally, I would take the test and still be able to drive.

https://www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/documents/drivingtestrequirements.pdf

So it looks like my husband can get a six months temporary license because he’s NOT American, but I cant fo that and haveto take the test .
I think that for three months, it will be the bus or Uber. I hate being discriminated in my own country.

So it looks like my husband can get a six months temporary license because he’s NOT American, but I cant fo that and haveto take the test .
I think that for three months, it will be the bus or Uber. I hate being discriminated in my own country.

How are you being discriminated against?  If you've EVER held a USA license, you won't have to take the test.  But if you haven't, you will.  It'll be an hour out of your life.  I can't help but feel like you are making a mountain out of a molehill...   

I’m being discriminated against because I’m having to prove myself in a way he doesn’t.

I HAVE  had a us license. How do I prove that?

I’m being discriminated against because I’m having to prove myself in a way he doesn’t.

I HAVE  had a us license. How do I prove that?

I'm sure you should be able to get hold of your US driving record somehow.

Can you contact the DMV in the state where you held your licence and ask if they can give you the information?

I’m being discriminated against because I’m having to prove myself in a way he doesn’t.

I HAVE  had a us license. How do I prove that?

Maybe this is stretching, but I feel like this frustration isn't over a drivers license?  I suspect you don't want to move to the USA and are finding any reason to be angry at the move.  Do you HAVE to move?

I’m not moving to the US. I’m staying there for6 months only.
I simply thought you guys might know more than me about how to stay legal after 90 days.

Thank you to those who have been helpful.
To those who haven’t, I’ll sort it out myself.

I’m out of here....