Can i use my australian drivers license in america?

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CPG

Regardless of what the other answers have said, no you cannot use it.

Motorists visiting the United States from countries which have ratified the Convention on Road Traffic, , may use their valid drivers licenses to drive in the United States. Visitors who intend to hire an automobile in the U.S. are advised to obtain an International Drivers Permit prior to their departure from the United Kingdom. This permit may be obtained from any office of the Automobile Association.

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/faqs/faq_visa_niv.html#niv076

Australia as not 'ratified the Convention on Road Travel' - for the list of countries who have visit the website below.

http://www.offshore-manual.com/ConventionTraffic.html

Edit:

In regards to the answer below mine - living and being an immigrant in the United States is different from being a visitor and when the police checked with the dispatcher, he would have recieved this information also.

night.hawk98

I wouldn't think you could because the Americans drive on the other side of the road and the driver's seat is on the left so I don't think you can use an Australian Licence in America.

Hope I made a point. =)

skattered0077

okay, i live in the US, but due to the delay in paperwork with immigration am driving on my Australian license, and i have had no problems...

i checked with the policeman down the road and he said that i was fine to drive with it, i was also pulled over for a speeding ticket (thank goodness i got away with a warning) and the police man checked with the dispatcher about if my license was valid and they had no problem with it either...

i do have my own car, and for that i do have insurance so that, along with my Australian Driver's License make it legal for me to drive in the US...

if you plan to hire a car, and I have done this as well, all I showed was my Australian Driver's License and my passport...

tara_j

Probably as a tourist, sure. But for long-term, maybe not. Best to go to the RACQ (or your state motor association) and get an international driver's licence valid for one year.

motorists_advocate

The answer is yes, absolutely. And, you DO NOT need an IDP for the US - in case you were wondering.

After three months* IF you stay, you are then required to obtain a US state license from that states issuing authority (see AAMVA links below). (* = A requirement of the UN Convention on Road Traffic, Road Signs and Signals).

People in turn who arrive and intend to stay in Australia for 3 or more months are also required to then obbtain an Australian licese, again, this is owing the above UN Convention. (We also remind people of this in our state and territory driver handbooks).

New York State Example:-
http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/license.htm#driversfromothernations

Despite CPG's post, Australia IS a contracting party to the 1949 UN Convention on Road Traffic, it, having been adopted formally by the Commonwealth of Australia in 1953.

We also 'recognise' but did not contract the "Road Signs and Signals" portion of that Convention.

A new UN Convention on Road Traffic, Road Signs and Signals is under development via the UNECE Transport Division working parties process, this has been a 'work in progress' for a number of years now.

At this stage, I doubt Australia will contract this updated Convention - when it is finalised, but I remain hopefull.

DRIVER MANUALS: All US state authorities have downloadable 'driver manuals', in Pdf, that you should read in order to brush-up on the road rules and for practical advice etc, take the relevant state link - here provided by The American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) and seek the driver manual for the state you'll be drviing in:-

http://www.aamva.org/KnowledgeCenter/ResearchCtr/Resources/alljurislnks.htm

Kelly C

I hired a car in America with only my Australian driving licence - no problem at all. But if you are concerned last time I looked into an international driving licence (a few months ago), it was only $20 and I just had to go to an RACV (Victoria) with my current drivers licence and they will issue you an international one - that easy.

tamara_cyan

You'd do the best to get an international driving license.
If you plan to settle down in US, then you'll have to get a new set of documents, and with that, will be eligible for american driver's license. If you're planning to be in America only as a tourist, you'll have to carry your passport with you anyway, which will be a proof that you're there on a visa and only for a certain amount of time.

burning for you

yeah you can

David J

As a tourist yes.
As a resident you have to get a state license after a set time.

roadrunnerz45

whether you can or not can you drive on the right hand side of the road?

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