Since I have an Austrian drivers license for motorcycles, passenger vehicles, trucks and trailers I would like to know whether I could use this drivers license to drive in the US (and eventually in Canada)
Is there a difference between motorcycles, cars and trucks?

If I need an US or Canadian drivers license how do I get one? (Assuming no residence in the US, just holidays)


Thanks!

AlpineRAM

 

You know.....I've always wondered that same thing for in your country. If I were to visit, would I need a different license? Shows on TV like The Amazing Race and such don't tell you all of that, they just show americans going all over the world and driving different cars and such.

 

I know that you can get a International License. Years ago when I was in Spain, all I need to rent a car was a valid US License.

Good Luck and I hope that you enjoy your trip.

 

The trip is just in the beginning of it's planning stage... who knows when or if it will take place. ..

The internat. drivers license over here is (AFAIK- I'm no LEO) is some kind of courtesy of the driver towards the LEO. (Easier to translate, it's more or less a side-document that makes it easier to verify for the LEO.

AlpineRAM

 

I have never had a problem driving in the UK or Norway with my us license.

the brits and norway guys that have come here haven't had any issues renting a car.

 

I was thinking about buying a beater and doing a road trip. Rental cars are not as much fun IMO.

 

I work for a Germany based company and we have people coming here to Canada all the time. They never have anything special. They just use their regular German drivers license. I'm sure it would be the same for you.

 

By international agreement, foreign licenses are honored by the US states.
It is the states who issue and regulate drivers licenses, but to the best of my knowledge, all of them will honor the foreign license.
The cavete to that is that you, as a forien driver, must know and comply with the local traffic laws.. ..
contact your embassy here and they will send you the info on what paperwork and such you will need.
Generally your passport or visa and your drivers license is sufficent.

 

lost damage waiver???

 

Alpine,

Your license should be OK here. Having an International license might help, there cheap and easy to obtain. Insurance is a big thing. Make sure your insurance will cover you in all the places you will be driving.

A beater is a good idea, and not cost much as you can sell it when you leave.
When I worked and had to go to extended training classes back in the northeast a couple of us would by a beater, if the departing class had one for sale, we would buy that, then get our money back selling it to the next class.

 

The guys on the show Top Gear did that a while back bought cars in Miami for under $1000 and drove them to New Orealiens.

 

"A beater is a good idea, and not cost much as you can sell it when you leave."

I think it would be more fun to set the gas on wide open, jump out, and watch it go off a cliff or smack into a big ole tree. Or just jam the gas all the way down and see how long it take to blow up.

 

or just hand the keys and signed title to someone at the airport...

 

In Utah you are fine driving on your DL just as long as it is not a Mexican one.
Any other country you can

 

Alpine, Im in western Canada, on our license we have classes, class 5 car, truck, class 6 motorcycle, and if you drive a truck with air brakes you need a license for that also, its probable close to the same all accross Canada. hope this helps, also check you embasy there, if there is a Canadian one, they should be able to tell you what you need.