Driving on B1 Visa

[bhargav$]

Hi,

Iam here in US on B1 visa for 3 months, I want to rent a car during my stay in St Louis, MO.
Can I use my Indian Driving license to drive a car in US.
I have not got Internation Driving Permit(IDP), Since my Driving license in English, will that be okay to answer Cop if he stops.
Googled in net, some say can use indian DL for short durations, some say need to get new DL of MO state by appearing driving test.
Please share your past experiences and clarify.

[peace999]

Most states let you drive on your home country's DL if you are visiting US.
You do not need an International driving permit.

Most states do not grant DLs to people on B1/B2 visas and that includes MO.

[rayb]

Most States follow a general rule that visitors and immigrants can use their foreign driver's licenses to legally drive for about 3 months after arrival.

So-called "international driver's licenses" are not really licenses to drive, but verification of preexisting licenses from countries of origin.

--Ray B

Hi,

Iam here in US on B1 visa for 3 months, I want to rent a car during my stay in St Louis, MO.
Can I use my Indian Driving license to drive a car in US.
I have not got Internation Driving Permit(IDP), Since my Driving license in English, will that be okay to answer Cop if he stops.
Googled in net, some say can use indian DL for short durations, some say need to get new DL of MO state by appearing driving test.
Please share your past experiences and clarify.

[cafeconleche]

You can drive on your foreign licence as long as you're a visitor. An international driving permit (IDP) is a TRANSLATION of a driver license, and nothing more.

[bhargav$]

I rented a car with my Indian DL and driving with pleasure.
Thanks a lot for your useful replies.

[rayb]

Harold,

Thanks for the commercial plug. "Driving on B1 visa" is what this thread is about.

--Ray B

[harjit81]

Rental Companies give you car on Indian License but Traffice Police will give ticket

Well you may get a Rental Car to drive on Indian License but if you get pulled over, then you will get a ticket.

I am saying this from personal experience.

I rented a car with my Indian DL and driving with pleasure.
Thanks a lot for your useful replies.

[rayb]

Foreign visitors are customarily allowed to drive with foreign licenses during the duration of their allowable visas.

--Ray B

Well you may get a Rental Car to drive on Indian License but if you get pulled over, then you will get a ticket.

I am saying this from personal experience.