Driving in USA with Indian Driving License
October 24th, 2007 at 03:56pm
One of the most asked question I get to hear is, “Can I drive in USA with my Indian Driving License?”
Well, the answer is, “It depends on the state that you would drive in”. All most all states in US allow you to drive with your Indian License for a period of one year. After that, you need to get a US drivers license. However, if you become a resident of the state, then you need to get a US license within a months time.
One more thing that I get asked is about “International Drivers Permit”. Well, to be frank, its quite useless if your Indian Driving License is written in English. The permit basically tells that you have the license to drive back in India in English. So, its the License thats important and not the Permit. In fact, in some states, International Drivers Permit is not even recognized. So, don’t bother getting it. In any case, your Indian Driving License must be valid and active.
A very good way to confirm what the specific state laws are is to search the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) website for the state in question. This site has the links to DMV sites of various states. Or, you can search google for pharse like “Texas DMV” and see if you can get to the official site of DMV. Once you are on the site, you would normally find a “Drivers Handbook” (or equivalent), which has all the official rules and regulations for that specific state.
Even if you don’t plan to buy a car in the US, I would suggest getting a US drivers license for the reasons given below:
- Your Driving license works as your Identity card too in most of the US states. This helps because, you don’t need to carry your passport and other important documents around all the time. If you dont want to drive or dont know to drive, then most states issue a State ID card - so make sure you get it. Trust me, its very helpful!
- If you plan to drive in the US (say car rental etc), a valid US driving license helps. It will save you a lot of money on car insurance too.
- If you do buy a car, then almost all states in the US make it mandatory to have Auto/Car insurance. If you don’t have a valid US drivers license and drive on an Indian license, then your insurance premium will shoot up! (by at-least $400 to $500 or more for 6 months!)
In some states & cities (like in Texas) there is one thing that might force you to drive with an Indian Driving License… and that is the validity of your Work Permit (H1B or equivalent). In Texas, if your work permit expires within in the next six months, the DMV won’t allow you to apply for a US Driving License. So, keep this in mind, and apply six months before your Work Permit expires if possible! However, this is true for Texas (confirmed in Houston), but may not be true at other states.
Oh - Last but not the least, if you are driving in the USA, make sure that you have auto insurance. Its a must and will save you lot of money and headaches in case of any eventualities!
If you are already in the US, I request you to comment below on your states policy on Indian Driving License!
Tags: auto, Car, DL, DMV, Driving, driving in usa, ID, IDP, Indian, Indian License, insurance, License, permit, USA
Entry Filed under: Houston, USA, Useful Stuff
18 Comments Add your own
1. Kris | October 24th, 2007 at 8:49 pm
In Texas you need to have a visa for at least 6 months to get a TX DL. In case you do not have 6 months, you can buy a car and register it and drive it on your IDL.
Progressive is the only insurance company that provides insurance for non US licenses. It will cost you about 1000$ for 6/months (for a 3000$ car !! :( )
2. Sanjay | November 16th, 2007 at 7:56 pm (subscribed to comments)
I think ur information about IDP is not much correct. As per PA law
• Foreign License Holders: Pennsylvania honors a valid foreign driverʼs license with an international driving
permit for a period of up to one (1) year. If the foreign license and/or international driving permit expire before
one (1) year, the individual must apply for a Pennsylvania learnerʼs permit to continue to drive in this state.
It’s explicitly mentioned about IDP in PA driver’s manual.
3. Arjun | November 20th, 2007 at 11:12 am
@Sanjay : Like I told above, it varies by state to state.
But, my best understanding is, for most states, if you have your Indian Driving License in a language that people here can read (English), then it should be OK.
Again, its advisable to check the state rules to be sure!
4. Nagendra | December 2nd, 2007 at 5:53 am (subscribed to comments)
In louisiana would they allow to drive car with indian driving license. Do let me know. Please send your comments to nag_rao_m@yahoo.com. They will be highly appreciated.
5. Prof Ashok Khanna | December 2nd, 2007 at 10:31 am (subscribed to comments)
I am going to be at TTU Lubbock as a Visiting Professor.
The assignment is for a semester.
I have a vaild Indian licence and had a licence in Ohio as
a student several decades back.
Will need a Texas license or an IDP will do for the semester’s
stay in Lubbock
6. Arjun | December 2nd, 2007 at 11:50 am
Dear Prof Khanna, your Indian License should be fine for 6 months. But its always better to get a US license as it will reduce the insurance premium etc.
7. Prof Ashok Khanna | December 4th, 2007 at 8:37 pm (subscribed to comments)
Dear Arjun,
I wish to buy a second hand car for my six month stay.
I will get the IDP before reaching US.My daughter is in VA.
If she buys the car beforehand for mein VA and we enter
at Washington DC can I drive this car from VA to Lubbock.
I intend to leave this car behind for her use at VA and exit myself again from Washington DC.
I understand the distance is about 1700 miles may be slightly less.I amused to driving longdistance and have also driven on the highways in US in student days.Is this feasible.
If yes, how do we arrange the Insurance of the car of the driver .
I will appreciate a well considered response
Thanks a lot
Akhanna
8. DHARMINDER KUMAR VERMA | December 5th, 2007 at 10:47 am (subscribed to comments)
DEAR ARJUN,
I HAVE AN HEAVY DUTY INDIAN DRIVING LICENCE.CAN I APPLY FOR JOB IN USA FOR A DRIVER JOB. IS INDIAN HTV LICENCE IS VALID IN USA.OR IF NOT HOW COULD I GET A DRIVER JOB THERE.
9. sanddep | December 5th, 2007 at 2:33 pm (subscribed to comments)
I have came in U.S Ohio State Columbus from India on Valid Business Vissa of three months.
I have valid Indian driving Licence along with international Driving licence with me.
Can I drive vehicle/ car in Columbu.
I request you to guide me.
Thanks & Regards
10. gurdev singh multani | December 24th, 2007 at 4:17 am (subscribed to comments)
I HAVE THE DRIVING LICENSE BOOKLET . I WANT TO CONFIRM THAT THE SAME WILL WORK IN CALIFORNIA OR I HAVE TO CONVERT IT INTO INTERNATIONAL DRIVER PERMIT
REGARDS
GURDEV
11. Samant | January 1st, 2008 at 10:50 pm (subscribed to comments)
Hi Arjun,
You are correct abt the validity of using Indian Driving license in place of US license .
In Minnesota , you can drive using your Indian License till you become a resident of minnesota ( ie.. 6 months to 1 year ) .. i got a confirmation email about this from MN-DMV :)
IDP is useless !
12. Muruga | January 3rd, 2008 at 6:32 pm
Hi, Arjun,
I am houston , texas with an IDP and driving license from India. I will be working here for 1 year. Can i use the IDP till the time it expires.
13. Shan | April 3rd, 2008 at 10:37 pm (subscribed to comments)
I came to Florida couple of months back , can I drive in Florida with Indian Driving License?
14. sriraman | April 7th, 2008 at 7:14 am (subscribed to comments)
I want to know about the driving licence details in Morris plains.Is it enough to drive the car with valid Indian Licence for 6 months there.
15. Anjali Gupta | April 10th, 2008 at 10:23 am
Hi - I am going for an assignment to Raliegh, North carolina and have the following questions
1. Is my Indian drivers License valid there
2. I have never driven a left hand drive before - do you think I would find it difficult to adapt?
Is there any sort of quick class i can take here in bangalore or in the US?
3. Is there any training manual to help understand road signs in the US (not used to them here in India! ;-)
Would appreciate someone responding pls
16. Sandeep N L | April 12th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Arjun, regarding the validity of visa with the license. Your visa should be valid for one year and at that point it should have six months validity. So if a person has a visa expiring in 8 months, even though he has six months validity, he/she will not be able to apply for a DL. Telling this from experience!!
17. SWARNA | April 16th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Hi Samant,
You mentioned that you got the confirmation email from Minnesota DMV that we can drive in Minnesota for 6 to 12 months using Indian driver’s license.
Could you please forward me that email to my gmail id swarnalathace@gmail.com
Many Thanks
Swarna
18. Pravinth | April 30th, 2008 at 3:09 pm (subscribed to comments)
Hi Samant,
Could you please forward the confirmation mail from Minnesota DMV?
Thanks.
Pravinth
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