Colombian Drivers Licence in the United States

viajero123 says on Jul 8, 2008, 10:19:

I have rented a car in the States and used it without problems. I never got stopped by the police or anything, but the rental company accepted it to rent me the car.

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juicerbud says on Jul 8, 2008, 11:34:

In NJ, if you are driving alone and you get stopped, the car gets towed and you go to jail until someone gets you. If you are with someone, they have to take over the driving and you get a big ticket.
Double check with the embassy.

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ColombianoGringo says on Jul 8, 2008, 11:39:

You can look into getting an International Driving Permit. In the US, you do it through AAA.

Here is some more info

http://www.aaa.com/vacation/idpfaqc.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Driving_Permit


The only FIA affiliated club I found for Colombia is TOURING Y AUTOMOVIL CLUB DE COLOMBIA (ACC). You might ask them about an IDP.

http://www.fia.com/en-GB/the-fia/member-clubs/southamerica/Pages/Colom...

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Jul 8, 2008, 11:40:

I doubt the US or Colombian embassies have anything to do with this, I believe the individual states are the "controlling authority" with respect to who gets to drive on their roads.

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viajero123 says on Jul 8, 2008, 12:12:

Good thing I didn't get stopped, cause I drived all through NJ with my Colombian licence.
Has anyone had any first hand experience being stopped with a Colombian licence in the US?

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Jul 8, 2008, 12:21:

I think if you're on a valid visa, you can rent a car with no problems. You might want to buy the pricey insurance, though, unless your insurance and/or premium credit card in your home country cover things like that.

For new residents in the US, it looks like the states set the laws. In Minnesota, you can drive for 60 days and then you have to take the vision, skills and knowledge tests.

http://www.dps.state.mn.us/dvs/DriverLicense/DL Info/DL frame.htm

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Gator says on Jul 8, 2008, 13:58:

Tinto is correct and I would suggest an International Driving Permit (IDP) which allows an individual to drive a private motor vehicle in another country when accompanied by a valid license from their state/county. All an IDP does is to translate you license into about ten languages including Spanish. Carry both your IDP and your valid state driver's license with you at all times.

We have used both our Colombia and Florida driver licenses in Florida with NO problems. We do fudge by using my brother's Florida address on the Florida license.

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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eywed says on Jul 8, 2008, 17:38:

You need to have two things to be legal. Your Colombian Driver license and you pass port. You Colombian Driver License is no good if you dont have your pass port with you. This goes for all 50 States. A International driving permit is also a good thing to have as it translates your Colombian Driver license to english for the nice Police officer who might have cause to stop you.

Ay Hombe!!!!!

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