Are foreign tourists legally able to drive in U.S.?

Published 9:20 am Thursday, January 28, 2016

Ask a Trooper by Troy Christianson

Question: I have a former foreign exchange student coming to visit us here in Minnesota. He wanted to know what the requirements are for driving in our state and using his foreign driver’s license.

 

Answer: This is a good question and can depend on a few things.

Troy Christianson

Troy Christianson

 

Foreign tourists

Foreign motorists from any of the countries who are party to the United Nations Convention on Road Traffic (Geneva, 1949) and the Convention on the Regulation of Inter-American Motor Vehicle Traffic (Washington, D.C., 1943) who visit the United States as tourists can drive legally using their valid native country’s driver’s license for a period to not exceed one year from the date of arrival. Tourists from countries who are party to these conventions can also legally drive their own private cars bearing valid license plates issued in their native country for a period not to exceed one year from their date of arrival.  Foreign tourists who are from those countries not part of the United Nations Convention on Road Traffic, must obtain a driver’s license and license plates from a state upon arrival in the U.S.

 

Foreign students

Foreign students attending school in the U.S., who are at least 16 years of age can drive with their home country’s valid license for up to one year. After one year, they must meet the same licensing requirements as a Minnesota resident.

 

International driving permit

Visitors may carry an international driving permit obtained by their home country, as authorized by the conventions. The IDP serves as a translation to be used in conjunction with the visitor’s valid driver’s license. An IDP is not a license to drive.

 

Residence or employment established

If an individual from another country comes to Minnesota and establishes residence or becomes employed, they are no longer considered a tourist or a student. They are then required to obtain a Minnesota driver’s license within 60 days of establishing their residency.

If you have any questions concerning traffic-related laws or issues in Minnesota, send your questions to Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State Patrol, at 2900 48th St. NW, Rochester, MN 55901-5848; or reach him at Troy.Christianson@state.mn.us.

 

Troy Christianson is a sergeant with the Minnesota State Patrol.