Tuesday, August 22, 2017

International Driving Permit and International Driver’s License

International Driving Permit and International Driver’s License

Visitors with foreign driver licenses 

Foreign motorists with valid driver licenses from qualifying countries* are free to drive personal or rental cars while visiting the United States as a tourist and are advised to carry an International Driving Permit. 


Who is considered a tourist?
If you are visiting the United States for a period not exceeding one year and are not authorized to work or attend school in the country.


What is an International Driving Permit? 

In addition to having a valid foreign driver license, visitors are advised to carry an International Driving Permit or attach an English translation to their country's national driver license prior to their arrival in the United States. 

·       The International Driving Permit is translated into the nine official languages of the United Nations and serves as a translation to be used in conjunction with the visitor's valid driver license
·       It is useful in emergencies such as traffic violations or auto accidents, particularly when a foreign language is involved
·       You must obtain this permit in your home country prior to your arrival in the U.S. 
A foreign visitor must also display the International Distinguishing Sign if driving a foreign car.

*Qualifying countries from United Nations Convention on Road Traffic, Geneva (1949), Convention on the Regulation of Inter-American Motor Vehicle Traffic, Washington, D.C., (1943) and Vienna Convention on Road Traffic (1968).
Source http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Licenses/Visitors.htm

Driving with an International Driving Permit (IDP)      

Foreign motorists with a valid driver licenses from countries that qualify with the United Nations Convention on Road Traffic are free to drive personal or rental cars while visiting the United States as a tourist and are advised to carry an International Driving Permit (IDP). You are considered a tourist if you are visiting the United States for a period not exceeding one year and are not authorized to work or attend school in the country. Typically, this will apply to B-1 or   B-2 visa holders. The United States does NOT issue IDP’s to foreign visitors, so you will need to obtain this document BEFORE traveling to the U.S.  
An IDP translates information contained on your driver's license into 10 languages so that officials in foreign countries are able to interpret your license. An IDP supplements a valid government-issued license--it does not serve as a replacement for a license. If you are stopped by law enforcement, you will most likely be asked to produce both your IDP and your official driver's license.
For New Jersey driver’s license purposes, you may use your country's driver’s license as proof of driving experience if you have an IDP issued by your country or if your country is a member of the United Nations Convention on Road Traffic and your license is translated into English by a consulate or a New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) approved translator.

Getting a New Jersey Drivers License

How to obtain a New Jersey Driver’s License         

If you choose to operate a motor vehicle while living in the state of New Jersey, state law requires that you obtain a valid New Jersey driver's license within 60 days of residing in the state.   International students, scholars, and their families in New Jersey may apply for a New Jersey driver's license at any Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) office.
The MVC office closest to the Princeton campus is located at:
Bakers Basin
Motor Vehicle Commission 
3200 Brunswick Pike
Route 1 North
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 
Map & Directions                                                             

Identification Required     

The New Jersey MVC uses an identification verification process called the 6 point ID verification system which requires that all applicants applying for or renewing a New Jersey driver license or non-driver identification card prove their identity through a required combination of documents. Each type of document is assigned a point value, and the total point value of all documents presented must be at least six (6) points.
For detailed information or to view the 6 Point ID document requirements or to download a   6-point brochure visit the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission website.
For international students and scholars the identification documents required will include:
  • Valid passport,
  • I-94 card (small, white card stapled into your passport) if you have one, OR, if you entered the U.S. after April 30th, 2013, the most recent I-94 electronic printout that you may retrieve from www.cbp.gov/I94  
  • I-20 or DS-2019 Form
  • A Social Security Card is also required unless you are not eligible to obtain one. For driver’s license application purposes, J-2 (without Employment Authorization Document - EAD), F-2 and H-4 holders should request a letter from the Social Security Administration (SSA) indicating they are not eligible for a social security number. The nearest SSA office is located at 635 S. Clinton Avenue, 2nd Floor; Trenton, NJ 08611. For directions, please view our section on obtaining Social Security Numbers.
For New Jersey driver’s license purposes, you may use your country's driver’s license as proof of driving experience if you have an IDP issued by your country or if your country is a member of the United Nations Convention on Road Traffic and your license is translated into English by a consulate or a New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) approved translator.

Please check the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission's website to make sure you have all required items with you when applying for a license or to download the Driving in New Jersey Manual.

For details on the other DMV offices, or more information, call 1-888-486-3339 toll free in NJ or 1-609-292-6500 from out of state, or visit Foreign Visitors Driving in the U.S. 

Beware of the International Driver’s License  Scams

Individuals or companies not authorized to issue IDPs sell fakes on websites, through unsolicited email, and in person for prices ranging from $60 to $400.
If you buy a fake IDP, not only will you be paying for a worthless document, but you also could face legal problems or travel delays if you’re detained for using it to drive in a foreign country.
Many local operations target non-native speakers through ads in foreign-language newspapers that direct people to websites or local storefronts. The marketers falsely claim that their documents:
·       authorize people to drive legally in the U.S., even if they don’t have state-issued licenses or if their state-issued licenses have been suspended or revoked
·       can be used as photo ID in the U.S.
In fact, if you’re a U.S. resident, and you’re caught using an IDP in place of a state-issued driver’s license, the consequences can be severe. You could be charged with driving without a license — or driving with a suspended or revoked license. If you can’t produce proof of your identity (for example, a valid driver’s license, a state-issued identification card, valid immigration documents, or a passport), the officer can assume that you’re trying to withhold your identity and arrest you. Source https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0050-international-drivers-license-scams