Can I drive on my UK licence?

Driving licences are issued by each state, not the federal government. A UK licence is fine for a visit, but once you live in a state you must get its licence, and for Brits that usually means taking tests.

When you must get a state licence

The FCDO says you can use a UK photocard licence to drive in the US, and that some states may also want the 1949 International Driving Permit (IDP), which you can only buy in the UK. That covers visits. Once you live in a state, its residency rules apply, and holding a work visa doesn’t stop you counting as a resident for licence purposes.

For other states, find the state’s DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) or equivalent and its page for new residents or drivers from other countries. Rules change, so check before you book.

Getting your licence

1. Book an appointment at a DMV office. Bring your passport, visa and I-94 record (your online arrival record), and proof of your address, such as a lease and a utility bill
2. Most states ask for your Social Security number, or proof you aren’t eligible for one: see Social Security number and US tax. Illinois and Texas offer licences for temporary visitors
3. Pass the vision and written (knowledge) tests. The questions come from the state driver’s manual, which is free online
4. Book the road test. In several states you must bring the car: in Florida it must be registered, insured and pass an inspection, and Maryland also asks you to provide one; in California someone with a licence must drive you to and from the test
5. You may get a paper temporary licence first; the card comes by post

What a licence costs

Insurance

Nearly every state requires liability insurance: bodily injury liability pays for injuries you cause to others, and property damage liability pays for damage to their car or property. State minimums are low, and many drivers buy more. Florida is different: you must have $10,000 of personal injury protection (PIP), which pays 80% of your own medical costs whoever is at fault, plus $10,000 of property damage liability. Insurers price on your driving record and, in most states, your credit-based insurance score. With no US history you may pay more. California and Massachusetts don’t let car insurers use credit history. Ask insurers whether they will consider a letter from your UK insurer about your no-claims record.

Buying a car

You buy from a dealer or privately. You then get the title (proof of ownership), register the car with the state and pay sales tax. You need insurance before you can register it. Car loans are hard to get without a US credit score, so many newcomers buy outright. Bringing a car with you? Registration deadlines are tight:

• Maryland: title and register within 60 days of moving. Since 1 October 2026, cars with out-of-state plates get a 60-day warning, then a $7-a-day fine
• Virginia: title the car within 30 days of moving
• Florida: get Florida insurance and register within 10 days of becoming a resident
• Texas: register your cars in Texas before you apply for a Texas licence

Road rules

Each state publishes its own driver’s manual, and rules differ, for example on turning right at a red light, using a phone and when you must stop for a school bus. Read your state’s manual before the written test even if you’ve driven for years. For drink-driving and other laws that catch Brits out, see Laws and customs. If you plan to live without a car, see Living without a car.