Renewing US driver's license
Posted by darthuna@reddit | expats | View on Reddit | 35 comments
How can I renew my US driver's license from abroad (*) if I don't have an address in the US? I know the standard response is "you no longer live there, so why do you care?'. Well, I have friends in the US and I want to go visit from time to time. I would like to be able to rent a car and use my US driver's license. Or show it as proof of ID or age, and not having to show my passport instead.
The state is IL if it makes a difference.
(*) Or in person, but without permanently living in the US.
MakoMitsuki@reddit
I am late answering this probably. I am a US citizen from IL living abroad. The first time, I went back to renew it in the DMV when I went back to visit. The second time, I had my parents apply on my behalf with my details and it got sent to them (as I used to live there and my income tax address is still there it is fine). You are allowed to apply online to renew your IL drivers license but the online portal geolocks you. Check the details online just to be sure.
jesslambert55@reddit
OP what did you end up doing? I’m abroad and need to renew my IL license in June. I’m wondering if I need to fly back
darthuna@reddit (OP)
Mine hasn't expired yet.
Prahasaurus@reddit
Yes, it's important you get a US driver's license, since Europeans are not allowed to drive when visiting the USA. /s
No, seriously, don't get a US driver's license, terrible idea. It opens you up to state taxes. Avoid.
darthuna@reddit (OP)
Why does it open me up to taxes?
pursuit_of_capyness@reddit
I know this is an old thread, but I'm in the same situation (moved abroad from IL) and was just wondering about the tax situation. I called the IL department of revenue and they told me that if I have an active IL DL, the state could come after me for taxes.
What ended up happening on your end?
darthuna@reddit (OP)
Mine hasn't expired yet. So I still have to figure it out.
Prahasaurus@reddit
You are declaring residency in a US state. That opens you up to a potential tax liability.
wandering_engineer@reddit
If you're a US citizen you are open to both federal and state taxes - it has nothing to do with having a license. If you are really concerned then you can always change residency to a state without income taxes (FL, TX, etc).
Only way to truly avoid US taxes is to renounce, and I wouldn't blame OP for not wanting to do that (or not being able to).
Gullible_Eagle4280@reddit
I recently went back to the US (California) after letting my license expire and was worried but I just showed my license from México and the agent didn’t even blink, just scanned it and handed it back to me. Maybe just double check with whatever rental agency you’re going to use if they accept international licenses.
MaskedFigurewho@reddit
Lots of people from other countries also come here on work visa. So having out of country ID is auctully not uncommon.
fjortisar@reddit
You can rent a car just fine with a foreign license
I_loveMathematics@reddit
That's true, but I can still see why OP would just want to renew their US driver's license instead of getting a foreign one.
They might not drive in their new country, and getting and renewing a license in the US is ludicrously easy and cheap compared to most of the developed world.
darthuna@reddit (OP)
On top of that, I just want to keep my DL. It's Real ID, and I want to have it already if I ever return to the US.
I also have a local DL from my new country, and it's not tied to an address. Meaning that I'll be able to renew it to perpetuity even if I ever leave this country for good. But in the US, I want to use my Real ID driver's license as proof of identification and not having to go around with a passport in my own country.
MaskedFigurewho@reddit
You dont have to have your real ID on your driver liscense. You also can switch it to your ID. I have an ID, a Real ID and a driver liscense.
MaskedFigurewho@reddit
I don't think you really understand how licenses work at all.
You can not generally have a driver's license in two places. When you move from one state, country you forfeit your current.
Out-of-country people can rent a car and drive legally if they are just visiting. Only an idiot thinks you legally NEED to have a driver's license in every single country they visit.
darthuna@reddit (OP)
I currently have two driver's licenses. I am not saying that I NEED to have the two driver's licenses. I'm saying that I WANT to have them.
Bitter_Initiative_77@reddit
Do you plan to live abroad for the foreseeable future? Getting a license from your current country is probably sensible.
MaskedFigurewho@reddit
OP thinks no one on earth has ever gone on vacation in another country so that wont make any sense to them.
BananaInAsia@reddit
Non drivers license id for USA
barubiito@reddit
I’ve been living in Japan for some time. I don’t have or need a license here; Tokyo’s train system is good enough for me.
I have a US license that’s still good for a few more years. When I renewed it I had my parents’ address put on it. But now they live in a different state. Two years ago I visited them in their new state and had no issues renting a car, and I’m planning to rent a car in the US again this summer, but I started wondering if the out-of-date address could potentially cause a problem. Thoughts?
swampwiz@reddit
Officially move to South Dakota. You only need to stay there one day to get residency. No income tax.
acknb89@reddit
If your a foreigner you have to do it in person at the DMV along with work authorization forms, visa, social and proof of residence like a lease or bill
wandering_engineer@reddit
You need to contact the Illinois DMV, expect it to be a royal pain in the ass:
Illinois residents who are temporarily outside the State of Illinois (Military assignment, snowbird, college student, work assignment, emergency family responsibility, etc.) may be eligible to apply for a renewal of their driver's license while they are out-of-state. The applicant will be required to successfully complete any required exams (vision, written, drive), provide acceptable documentation and pay the appropriate renewal fee. For more information about this process , please call 217-782-2720.
Another option if you still have friends/family in Illinois might be to change your mailing address to their residence. They can then just forward you the new license.
Unfortunately most states are like this, and the switchover to Real ID has made it far, far worse. I'm fortunate in that my state allows for a six-year extension for some individuals if you live overseas which buys me some time.
darthuna@reddit (OP)
May I ask what your state is?
wandering_engineer@reddit
Virginia. It's far from perfect, but minor upshot of having so many military/diplomat types floating around is that they are somewhat better at handling things like this compared to most of the US.
Seo_Incheon@reddit
Since normal drivers licenses at some point may need to be switched to real IDs (that can be used e.g. to board a flight), it is required in my state to renew in person so they can confirm your identity, take a photo and sign on a screen that will be embedded on the ID.
praguer56@reddit
I had a GA license when I moved to Europe and when it was time to renew, I went to LA to visit my parents and told the DMV I was moving in with mom and dad as caretaker. I handed them my GA license and got a LA license in its place. And renewed it again when it was time.
bbutrosghali@reddit
This depends on your state and what it allows. You should look at its DMV website.
For example, my friend's state allows online renewal once and then you have to go in person the next time, but since the license is good for 5 years, that's a trip back once per decade. The state also willingly issued their license with their foreign address on it.
ID issues aside, if you're just looking to drive in the US, your foreign license is likely to work, or you can use your foreign license to get an International Driving Permit, which is typically good for a year and should work if your foreign country does not have a reciprocal agreement for driving in the US.
ericblair21@reddit
Yes, most states should be able to issue a driver's license with a foreign address, since diplomatic or military families get deployed overseas and keep their licenses. You might have to justify it, though.
dmada88@reddit
The short answer is don’t. The longer answer is establish residency in a state without income tax. Get a license there. Use your continuing residency to renew when needed. The best way is to use a friend or relative’s home. But any route you chose will have some downsides.
invisiblegreene@reddit
I did it in person on a trip home and it was sent to my parents house in the mail (the address that was on the license anyway).
dutchtyphoid@reddit
If you have living family (parents, siblings, etc) or really good friends that you are on good terms with - ask them.
This is a pretty common issue for transportation and transient workers and this was the most common work around
Catcher_Thelonious@reddit
https://ipostal1.com/business-address.php
Not an endorsement, just a possibility you may wish to investigate
Eric848448@reddit
You need to get a license where you live.