SiobhanP

Hi all here is my saga:

I am losing my NJ driving License after having a full one for 20 years because I am not "resident" in America/NJ and now I am forced to start all over and takie driving exams etc .in Ireland because of this. I have spent all week trying to do this with absolutely no help and no answer as to how I can hold onto my license.

Before I used to just use my brothers address for contact and renewal but now I have to have a bill or bank account etc in NJ to renew which I have none anymore. Can anyone help me. I need this asap.

S

Intrepid1

Quite honestly, with a great deal of emphasis on the HONEST part, I'd say those folks at the NJ DMV are pretty smart.

petlover

Assuming you and your brother have the same last name, maybe you could just send in one of his utility bills as proof of a USA address?

Christina

If you don't live in NJ, why do you care if you have a driver's license there? I don't get it, but it is supposed to be only for actual residents, so I don't know how you'd qualify. The address on it is supposed to be where you actually live. They use them for various things where I live only for residents, which would make it a bit tricky if it came up (ie, jury duty -- please excuse me because I don't really live there?). I just don't see why you'd need one unless it's to avoid getting a driver's license from where you actually live, Ireland, because you don't think you can pass their test.

well, I can tell you that a friend of mine had the same problem in Germany when she got dual citizenship (US/Germany), and she just raised a stink with some local politician or people she knew in Germany when visiting there for the summer -- said what do you mean, I'm a German citizen and not allowed to have a German driver's license? This is my right. etc She definitely had to do that lobbying in person in Germany, though. I forget why she wanted one, probably thought it better for when she's over there as she drives a lot when there and visits several months a year.

Queenie

Christina,
I believe Siobhans only license is from the US.

Siobhan, the only alternative I see is to open a bank account and use your brothers address. If you could open a charge card that would work too, but I do not know if that is possible from Ireland.

When I had to renew my license (also expatriate), I physically went to the DMV and paid cash, and did not need proof of address. This could vary by state however. I was able to do this 6 months before expiry, so if you are planning a family visit, do it then.

Otherwise you may have to bite the bullet and get an Irish drivers license. I feel your pain – I know it is much more expensive and complicated than getting a license in the US.
Good luck!

nytraveler

Not to be discourteous - but if you live in Ireland and drive there long-term aren't you requred to get an Irish lic?

I though a US lic was good only for tourists for a limited amount of time. Also - how do you get car insurance if they dont have access to your driving record?

JJ5

So maybe I should switch "official" state residences, go get a State of MI driver's license, vote there and avoid the second home property tax that is huge and which I pay every year?. This even if the fact is that I don't spend more than 8 days out of thirty one as a physical resident and live all of that time in another state.

UMMM! HONESTLY, I wonder why some of us are so ethically challenged.

KT

From the website of the Irish embassy in the US:
"US driver’s-licence holders intending to drive in Ireland other than as tourists must successfully pass the Irish driving test and obtain an Irish licence."

highledge

SiobhanP's question was not about Irish driving licenses but renewal of a NJ license. Pat attention folks!
have you looked at the their website and explored every aspect?? have you called the number on their website? What was their answer?
If you really want to keep the license, I'd look to "establish" a home in state. A credit card (with weblinked payment) at your brother's house?? A PO Box works for us!

KT

We are paying attention. She lives in Ireland and wants to renew her NJ license, despite no longer residing there, instead of getting a license in Ireland. That raises two difficulties: 1) getting a license without residency, and 2) not getting a license as required by the place of residence.

china_cat

I'm just curious, not asking to be a jerk or anything, but are the Irish driving tests and all very difficult or time consuming? I mean, is it really so bad to just take them?

Dave_in_Paris

Not entirely pertinent, I know, but in New York State (so far) this is not an issue. I retain my New York drivers license 20 years after residing there, and it even has my Paris address on it. I do renew it in person, and have occasionally baffled folks at the license bureau in Watertown, New York, bit it has always worked out. No, the license is not valid in France, since I'm a long-term resident. The more pertinent concern for an expatriate is insurance. Even if you hold a U.S. drivers license and can pass police road checks with it (and you can, in France, I can testify, even though the requirement is to obtain a French license after one year's residency) if you have an accident, will your insurance cover it? I doubt it.

KT

Dave: Off-topic I know, but as somebody who seems to get called up for jury duty all the time, I'm curious: what happens when New York sends you a summons for jury duty? Or don't they use the DMV records for that purpose?

nytraveler

Yes - obtaining a drivers lic in europe is much more difficult and complicated than in the US - where just about the only requirement is that you be breathing and not completely blind.

(I know my test in NY was drive around a couple of blocks in a quiet residential area - using blinkers and not hitting anything - plus a parallel park. It took about 6 minutes. For all they knew I didn;t have a clue how to drive - they don;t take you on a highway - nor in heavy traffic - or even on major roads to see how you handle multiple lane shifts etc.)

In europe both the written and driving segments of the test are much more difficult - and I believe many people never pass.

alya

nytraveler
It took me 2 goes to pass my test in the UK which in my experience is common, although my sister's MIL gave up after her 10th attempt.

After you've passed the theory test - where you have to get 30 out of 35 questions right - the practical test is approx. 40 minutes long!

alya

Whoops, sorry forgot to mention the 2nd part of the theory test where you have to get 44 out of 75!

JJ5

Where I live in IL, the test is no piece of cake and can vary place to place. They do take you out in various kinds of traffic.

Regardless of what or how the test is, I can not see why, if you are living in one country, you would deem it acceptable to fake your residence in another. Sorry. No ethics.

And in IL & MI, you are only issued a driver's license if you resident within the state. Period. Jury duty goes by your county's voters' registration. I am not eligible to vote in MI, so I can not get called to jury duty there.

Just take the test and be better for it.

Budman

I used to renew my NJ driver's license over the internet, give my credit card number, and they would mail me my new license (without picture).

Recently, NJ went to a new system where you had to prove your your age, identity, and go into the DMV, and address, to show several forms of ID, Passport, etc. and have a license with your picture on it -- one that is difficult to counterfeit.

Check out this site to see the requirements: http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/

Budman

Boy, my cut/paste on paragraph 2 got all mixed up, but you know what I mean.

SiobhanP

It's unbelievable how I can ask a genuine question and some people are so hostile. I need my license because:

1. I only have an Irish Provisional License (Permit)and must take lessons and a test here to pass as I am self taught on a stick shift and they will fail me on that alone even though I am a good safe driver

2. I use my FULL American license to rent cars when travelling which I cannot do with an Irish Provisional.

3. I have been insured with my U.S. license on my boyfriend's car as an occasional driver and they accepted it was a full license and only charged us 40 Euro extra to add me.

4.Ireland does not accept an exchange of a US license for an Irish one because the US does not reciprocate.

5. I vote, file/pay my taxes and have every right to participate as a U.S. citizen..am I not allowed to broaden my horizons or do I not have a right to live where half of my family live i.e. Ireland.

There is NOTHING dishonest about wanting to keep my license I like to have this as my US form of identification and to me it's important to still keep this link with home.

JJ5 - What is wrong with you?? I own no property in America, I am not dodging tax or cheating anyone. It never occurred to me to do such things but it has obiviously occurred to you . Put the dagger away this is not about anything but getting my license renewed.

Ireland does not "require" me to get a license immediately. I am not avoiding anything and will eventually sit my test.

Budman thanks for the website I have been to the website in the past as well I used to do what you did in the past to renew but this has changed. If I was in the military this would be a non-issue as they would allow me to renew. There seems to be more and more paper pushing with each year.

Many thanks to those who are helpful and to the other who always think there is a dodgy motive, relax the world is not out to get you


Sometimes I wonder what people are putting intheir cornflakes every day!