Foreign Exchange Student and Drivers Lic in WI (DMV, cost of)

[angiek]

We have a foreign exchange student coming from germany this month. He would like to take his drivers lic and I would like to let him. What are the laws for a person being in this state for taking his/her license? I was told that they have to be in WI for a minimum of 1 yr. However he was told by his exchange group that they have to be here a min...of 185 days. Any help out there would be appreciated....Thank you,

[SoFarSoGood]

Sounds like you are asking if he can get his license like any other 16-year-old. It appears he SHOULD be able to, but the complexity and cost of getting the license might be a deterrent if he's not going to be here all that long. (Temps, instruction, fees, etc) The DMV has a list of the requirements to get a probationary license, which I assume he'll be able to satisfy.

If he has a domestic (German) or international driver's permit, that should enable him to drive in the US for up to 1 year. LINK

Hope this helps. *SFSG*

[angiek]

What I am asking is if anyone can tell me if he needs to have a paper or something stating that he is going to be in the united states for 1 year or not...According to what I have received its no problem for him to get it if he is to be here 1 yr, however his organization says 185 days and a driving instuctor told me 1 yr. but I looked at the wi instructors manul and no where does it state an amount of time but in eau claire they said not unless hes here 1 yr so im so confused....

[susancruzs]

I'd be confused, too! I don't understand why the reverse doesn't apply. When I went to Italy I had an international license it was good for one year even though I was only driiving there two weeks. The license would have been good all over Europe and the UK. Of course, I had to prove I had a US license with no moving violations when I applied for it here before I left for Italy.

Now if someone has a license in their country and comes here don't we extend the same courtesy and recognize an international license. I wouldn't think it would be a state issue but that may not be right. I got mine at Triple A and did not have to be a member to get one there.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by SoFarSoGood

Sounds like you are asking if he can get his license like any other 16-year-old. It appears he SHOULD be able to, but the complexity and cost of getting the license might be a deterrent if he's not going to be here all that long. (Temps, instruction, fees, etc) The DMV has a list of the requirements to get a probationary license, which I assume he'll be able to satisfy.

If he has a domestic (German) or international driver's permit, that should enable him to drive in the US for up to 1 year. LINK

Hope this helps. *SFSG*

If you go to the above link it explains what he needs to do. It says that he needs to have documentation that he will be here for at least a year and have at least 6 months remaining on his visa to get a license. It doesn't say anything about a minimum number of days he has to be here before he gets his license however, they have to have their instructional permit for at least 6 months before getting a license so that pretty much excludes him from getting a license because of the timing.

If he has an international license he can drive in WI on that for up to a year.

[SoFarSoGood]

Originally Posted by golfgal

If you go to the above link it explains what he needs to do. It says that he needs to have documentation that he will be here for at least a year and have at least 6 months remaining on his visa to get a license. It doesn't say anything about a minimum number of days he has to be here before he gets his license however, they have to have their instructional permit for at least 6 months before getting a license so that pretty much excludes him from getting a license because of the timing.

Thanks golfgal, I wasn't sure how to make that any more clear. It says here:

Minimum stay requirement: Temporary visitors must have legal presence documents authorizing a minimum stay of:
* 1 year with at least 6 months remaining (for a driver license)
* 6 months with at least 3 months remaining (for an ID card)

In any event, the prudent thing to do is call or email the DMV (or visit, ewwwww...) and get it from the horse's mouth. FWIW, when I've called the DMV their service has been EXCELLENT.

* E-mail: driverrecords.dmv@dot.state.wi.us
* Call: (608) 266-2353

[angiek]

Thank you all I just wanted to clear this up....In every other book it says something different...but thanks to all....