Hi, this is probably a long shot. I have had my UK driving license for 9 months, and I’m planning a trip to California at the end of this month. I was wondering if there was any restrictions this would cause me on renting a car while I’m in the states as I don’t want to stick to one area. Any help or knowledge would be great.?
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Your UK license will be fine.
Now if you’re under 25, you may have some difficulty with renting a car. 21’s the minimum legal age before you’re even allowed to rent one in the first place.
If you have a license you have a license. Doesn’t matter how long you’ve had it.
Your UK driver’s license should be valid and honored in the US, as long as it’s a full license and not some restricted “learner’s permit”, even if you’ve only had it for 9 months.
The restrictions around renting a car are more age-oriented. How old you are is much more important than how long you’ve had your driver’s license in terms of vehicle rental.
I’ve never heard of the length of time being licensed used as a direct factor.
If your license indicates restrictions, that might be a factor. In the US, many people under 18 will often have a *junior* license, which limits when they can drive or whether they can drive with underage passengers. The exact wording, whether “Junior” or something else, may vary.
If you’re under 25, they’re likely to impose extra fees.
Also, while the insurance offered by rental agencies is often considered a rip-off, particularly since most of us have coverage from our regular auto insurance policy, in your case you should consider paying for it, unless you get some sort of travel insurance that you’re sure covers it. (I don’t even know whether such insurance exists for travelers to the US.)
This depends on the State – in most cases yes, though it’s 3-6 months maximum.
Rental car is up to the individual companies so check ahead and be mindful car rental prices are still very high in the US due to supply chain issues. The exchange rate is also not helping you right now either.
For CA specifically see: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/handbook/california-driver-handbook/the-california-driver-licens
*Adults Visiting California*
*Visitors over 18 years old with a valid DL from their home state or country may drive in California without getting a California DL as long as their home state or country DL is valid.*
Your issue will be renting a car. Some companies will rent to you if you’re under 25, but they charge an extra fee.
Edit: Nevermind I am an idiot. I read it as you were staying for 9 months. If it is a short stay then you have no issue.
Should be fine for a while. Each state will have their own rules though and some require an IDP (international driver’s license).
https://www.usa.gov/visitors-driving
The problem is your length of time. Usually most states lets you drive for 3 months on a foreign license and 6 months with and IDP and a valid license with your home country.
If you are going to be here 9 months then you should probably look into getting a state driving license. It isn’t difficult and relatively cheap compared to Europe especially if you already have a driver’s license in the UK.
The safest thing to do is get a license in the state you will be living in. Look up their requirements. Once you have a state license you will be good to go in every state.
I have a drivers license from a different country and when I rented a car in the US (Illinois), they required an international driving license. Mine happened to be one (and I also have an American license), but the guy I was with just had a regular foreign license, not an international one, and he wasn’t allowed to drive. I don’t remember doing anything special to have my foreign license be international, and I didn’t know it was until this scenario. Might be worth looking into.
Yes.
Yes, you’re fine. Some rental car companies may try to charge an additional fee if you’re under 25, but not all do. Also if you have certain organizational members like AAA for example some companies waive the fee
You can get an international drivers license from the post office for £6 too, when you have a UK drivers license, that’s what my family do when they come over to stay and rent a car.
Legally, yes.
But remember our traffic cops are local cops. They’re not exactly supposed to be knowledgeable on these matters – they enforce local laws. Usually local laws do not consider international concerns like foreign driver’s licenses.
Although it is perfectly legal for you to do so, please remember that, if they stop you, traffic cops will probably tell you otherwise. They will give you a hard time and might even try to tow your rental vehicle away. If it happens, remain courteous and respectful and request a supervisor be present. The supervisor is more likely to be knowledgeable and experienced on the matter.