Is it true?

DH and I are visiting the US in November and I've heard that we can go through either the US or Non-US passport lines together, is that right? I always thought that because he didn't have a US passport or Visa that he could never go through the US line.

I know that when we return we can go through either line as we've been through both before when traveling back together.

Also, has anyone ever had trouble renting a car in the US on the UK license when they haven't had it for a year? I only got mine in July and am wondering if it will be OK. I'm looking at either Thrifty or Enterprise as we are trying to spend as little as possible!

Thx!

I think you have to go through different immigration lines to get back into the U.S. (my husband and I have always gone to separate lines). I'm unsure how it works in the U.K., because we haven't tried it here, either. I kept my maiden name when we got married, so our passports obviously have different last names on them. I know that will be a hassle with immigration on both sides if we try to go in together. Regardless, we're going to try next time.

My husband and I have alternated using driver's licenses to rent cars in the States. I know for sure that Enterprise will accept a non-U.S. driver's license, as my husband used his U.K. license last Christmas to rent a car, while I was just briefly asked to show mine--it was understood that either of us could drive the car. (Make sure of that last bit, though, before you rent. They may ask you to show your license, as well.)

I hope that helps.

Suzanne

P.S. I've always found the people at Enterprise to be very polite and accommodating. I can't speak for Thrifty, though, because I've never used it.

It's my understanding that you'll have to go into the same line because only one customs form is filled out per family and as you're a family, you have to stick together.

Last time Jon and I went back to the states, we went into our seperate lines, the US line being the smallest. The immigration officer told me I had to go wait in the line with Jon if I didn't have the custom form but when I gave him a really sad look, he let Jon come into the US line with me.

I just ask the people in charge of herding the cattle...'er, people -- tell them we're together (married), he's British & I'm American -- which line do you want us in?  Last time, they were nice & let Steve go through the same line as me.  They had all the same equipment at each station (the fingerprinting & camera stuff for non-US) -- it was just however they wanted to divide things up at that particular time as to what line was where.  (This was Hartzfeld International in Atlanta.)  It was good because all the poor Brits were standing in a really long line & they let him go through the short (fast!) lane with me.

I kept my maiden name when we got married, so our passports obviously have different last names on them. I know that will be a hassle with immigration on both sides if we try to go in together. Regardless, we're going to try next time.

Being a married couple with two different last names should not be a hassle with anyone.  It's very common.

as long as you have a valid US or UK licence- you will be able to rent a car from Thrify or Enterprise.  Have you tried Priceline.com for car rentals?  cheap although you don't know which company you're renting from until after you pay, and you can't make any changes.

We've gone through together with the same last name as well as with different ones. I've asked the "guard" or whatever they are each time - explained the situation and been told that it's fine to go together. The one time we went separately was before we were married and I forgot that I had the return tickets in my bag so that didn't go down so well. 

I will say that last time we went through the US citizen line together and the people behind us gave us some VERY nasty looks while they waited for dh to do the fingerprint/photo thing.

We always go through the same line when entering the US and the UK and we've never had any problems at all.

Thanks everyone! We'll ask when we get there what line they want us in.

I'm unsure how it works in the U.K., because we haven't tried it here, either. I kept my maiden name when we got married, so our passports obviously have different last names on them. I know that will be a hassle with immigration on both sides if we try to go in together. Regardless, we're going to try next time.

Suzanne - We have always gone through together when we return to the UK. The first time (when I first came over to stay) we went through the Visa line and the woman said that I should be accepted if I go through the UK line with my husband. We did that the last time we returned and there was no problem. I still have my maiden name on my passport and they didn't even ask about that, just let us through.

I've used both Thrifty and Enterprise before, but I do prefer Enterprise's customer service. I do have a US license but have been concerned that it may have been suspended. Everything seems to be OK with it, though so I will probably just use that! My husband doesn't want to drive in the US at all, so even if he's on as an additional driver he won't drive unless he has to!

I think you have to go through different immigration lines to get back into the U.S. (my husband and I have always gone to separate lines).

DH and I have always went through the same line (the non-US citizen line) together.

My partner and I go through the same line, whatever is shorter, and have yet to encounter an issue with immigration.

we always rent a car through a UK site called skycars.com...we go for their super package which includes all of those insurances you need for renting a car in the US...I think you both have to have a UK license to use skycars though...i used to have an Ohio driving license but gave that up as i am no longer a resident of Ohio...we are going to the US in November and have hired a SUV for 2 weeks for about 440 pounds..

DH and I always go through the same line together whether in the U.S. or U.K.  If we go through the U.S.  I take care of the passports and customs forms and if we are in the U.K.  DH takes charge of them.  Never been a problem. 

As for renting cars, neither of us has ever had a problem with driver's licenses in the U.S.  They just take down the details at the desk and we always use Avis because we get a good discount with them and have never had any problems

i used to have an Ohio driving license but gave that up as i am no longer a resident of Ohio

Hmmm, I've kept my Illinois driver's license and always use it as normal when I go home to visit. I never informed SS or DMV or anyone that I moved. In theory, I suppose I'm not an Illinois resident any more (been in the UK 2+ years) but I refuse to give up my US driver's license. Is this wrong?

As long as your address didn't change it should be no problems when you renew.  And if it did, you just need to show a proof of address.  This is per the BMV person I asked.
I renewed my license from Japan and I never had any issues.  So I don't think it matters.  You're probably not the only one who refuse to give it up.