Driving in the USA From the UK

The USA has the world’s longest and biggest road network, even more than the whole European Union combined. If you are moving to the USA from the UK, there are a few differences when it comes to driving in the States compared to the UK. From getting the correct license to learning the rules of the road, we’ll help you prepare for your removals to the USA.

Can You Drive in the US With a UK License?

Yes, if you are just visiting America, you can drive in the US and rent a car with your UK driving licence. There is a legal agreement between the UK and the US that means those who have help a valid UK driving license for over a year can drive in America.

How Long Can I Drive in the US With a UK Licence?

For the first 3 months of your visit, you can use your UK driving licence in America. It must be in English and the name, digits, symbols must be easily readable. If you have an older, paper, version of a UK licence, you will also need to carry another form of photo ID such as a passport.

After 3 months, you will need an International Driving Permit (IDP) or a state-issued US driving licence. Whichever one you need depends on your own circumstances, whether you are visiting for a short period or staying in the US as a resident.

International Driving Permits

If you are visiting the USA for more than 3 months and less than 12 months, you will need an IDP. This is issued in the UK before you travel, and there are different types of IDP depending on the country that you are visiting. For the USA you will need a “1949” permit and they are valid for 12 months. You can get an IDP at the Post Office, they cost £5.50, and you’ll need to be a UK resident, have a valid UK driving licence and be 18 years old or older.

Please note that if you are planning to rent a car in the USA you may need both your UK driving licence and IDP, so take your UK driving licence with you when you travel.

Getting a US Driving Licence

If you are planning on staying longer, or to have permanent residency in the USA, then you should look at getting yourself a US state-issued driving licence. You will need to get a licence issued in the US state where you will live and, as usual, there are different requirements for each state.

For details on the particular US state that you are planning to move to, please take a look at the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicle) website.

What Do I Need to Drive in USA From UK?

To get a US driving licence you will need the following:

• Proof of ID
• Proof of residency
• Pay the costs
• Take a driving test.
  

The test varies depending on the US state that you are taking it in, but the test is typically easier than the UK driving test. Once you’ve passed, then you’ll be issued with a temporary licence, with your permanent one sent in the post before this expires.

USA Driving Rules

Again, with the laws on driving licences and how you apply for them, there are variations on the driving rules depending on which state you are driving in. There are some general ones to remember, which include;

• You must always drive on the right side of the road.
• Solid white lines tell you that have to stay in your lane.
• The yellow lines in the road separate the cars going in different directions.
• You can only cross a broken yellow line, never a solid or double yellow line.
• Never overtake or pass a school bus if it has flashing red lights.
• It is compulsory to pull over to allow an emergency vehicle to pass you if they have their lights flashing or siren sounding.
• Hitchhiking is generally illegal throughout the USA.

Roundabout rules are different in the USA than in the UK. Right of way is determined by whoever has got to the intersection first, and you must always come to a stop when you see a red “Stop” sign.

A “yield” sign tells you that oncoming traffic has right of way, so you need to check that no vehicles are approaching and stop if they are.

Can I Turn Right on a Red Light?

Traffic lights are the same is in the UK, with red as stop, yellow as prepare to stop and green to go. However, you can legally turn right at a red light, as long as you give way to oncoming traffic and there is no “No Turn on Red” sign. This is for right turns only, you’ll be in trouble if you try to turn left at a red light.

USA Police and Traffic Laws

The US has some similar safety laws to the UK, such as the wearing of seat belts and the use of child car seats. It is illegal to drink and drive in all 50 US states, the limit being at 0.08% blood alcohol concentration, which is the same as in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (it is 0.05% in Scotland).

If you have a police car behind you with flashing lights, or asking you to pull over, you need to do so immediately where it is safe. Don’t get out of your car until you are asked and keep your hands where they can see you. It’s good to keep your licence and registration documents somewhere you can easily get to them, such as the glove box.

As in the UK, some traffic violations such as parking and speeding tickets are issued with cameras so potentially you won’t know you’ve been caught until you get a ticket. Most will result in a fine, which you should pay immediately.

Whilst driving in the USA it isn’t only the police that you will need to be aware of in relation to traffic laws. You also have the potential of having a civil suit filed against you if you are in an accident, which can be very costly, dragging you through the courts even for a small bump. This is very common in the USA, so you need to be very careful of the laws and other road users when driving throughout the country.

Driving in the USA Costs

The USA is the 3^rd most cost-effective country to buy petrol, per capita income, in the world and the UK is 30th. Gasoline (petrol) prices in the USA are $3.481 (0.7738) per litre in 2024. The current average price of petrol in the UK is 145.22p per litre.

The average cost of a new car in the UK is approximately £19,000 and £15,500 in the USA. The cost of insurance is also slightly cheaper in the US, but only by 3-4 per cent.

In the USA, there are many toll roads, roughly 5,000 miles of them. To travel on these toll roads, you will need to pay charges, often collected using an automated system, some taking cash at booths. They aren’t in all 50 states, so always check your routes thoroughly to make sure you know where and how you need to pay.

Car Insurance in the USA

As with the UK, with the majority of US states, it is mandatory to have car insurance. Each state has its own laws on the minimum level of liability insurance that you must have, so again you need to be checking this out with the DMV department that governs the state that you are driving in.  

If you don’t have car insurance, there are fines and licence suspensions if you are caught. More importantly though, if you are in an accident, you could be held fully responsible for medical and property damage costs, along with the potential of being sued for any costs that the other driver incurs.

Can I Take My Own Vehicle to the USA?

You can take your car from the UK to the USA if it passes certain criteria. Due to the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, there are certain safety standards that vehicles need to adhere with to be registered for use on US roads. This means that if you import your vehicle, you will most certainly need to have modifications carried out by a certified Registered Importer, potentially at a high cost. Even then the vehicle may not be allowed to be registered for the US roads.

The exception is for vehicles that are more than 25-years old. The “25-year rule” was initially brought in to allow car collectors and enthusiasts who wanted to import classic vehicles without the need to make expensive modifications.

The good news is that Autoshippers, who are the sister company of 1^st Move International, have been handling exports to the USA for over 25 years. For more information on the 25-year old rule and anything else you need on exporting vehicles just visit their USA Car Import Guide.

Moving to The USA From the UK

For more information on living in the USA, read our detailed guide on moving to the USA from the UK. Get in touch for a tailored free quote for your move to America or contact us on 0800 289 0784 / +44 117 982 8123 or via our website and we will be happy to help.

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