I was a frequent traveler to US and so I always needed to know if I can use my home country Driving license for renting and driving a car in US states. Personally I have visited seven states and for all of the states my home country Driving License printed in English was sufficient to rent a car.
In this page I am trying to get information from different sources to consolidate it at one place. I will continue to add state level information one by one.
What’s an International Driving Permit and when do you need it?
IDP is a document that grants someone the privilege of driving a motor vehicle legally while in foreign nation. One has to carry govt issued driving license along with an International Driving Permit to legally drive a motor vehicle in foreign country.
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Essentially, an IDP serves as a basic translation of your driver’s license. It is translated in 10 languages and features your:Photo,Full name, Relevant driver information.
In US you may not require to have an IDP if your govt issued driving license is in english language. Most of the car rental companies follow the same rules.
Texas
Driving privilege reciprocity allows a person to use a valid, unexpired foreign license to operate a motor vehicle in Texas for up to one year or until a person becomes a Texas resident, whichever date is sooner. Once a person becomes a new Texas resident, they must apply for a Texas license within 90 days to continue to drive legally.
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLicense/reciprocity.htm
California
If you are a visitor in California over 18 and have a valid driver license from your home state or country, you may drive in this state without getting a California driver license as long as your home state license remains valid.
If you become a California resident, you must get a California driver license within 10 days.
Residency is established by voting in a California election, paying resident tuition, filing for a homeowner’s property tax exemption, or any other privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents.
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv
Oregon
As long as one has his driving license printed in english, then yes we can drive in the state of Oregon. IDP and out-of-state driving license is required only when the out-of-state driving license is printed in language other than English. However,You must get an Oregon driver license, ID card or instruction permit when you become an Oregon resident, even if your out-of-state driver license, ID card or instruction permit has not yet expired.
http://www.oregon.gov/odot/dmv/Pages/index.aspx
Pennsylvania
Individuals who possess a valid foreign driver’s license from their country are authorized to drive in Pennsylvania for up to one year from their date of entry into the United States, or upon expiration of their foreign license, whichever comes first. International driving permits are strongly recommended, but not required.
http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/faq/faq-misc.shtml
http://www.dmv.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx/
Arkansas
All drivers’ must have a valid unexpired license from one of the United States or a valid unexpired international license. You may drive legally with a license from your home country if you also have an International Driving Permit (both are required) if the home country license is not printed in English.
Please check with local DMV office for more information.
http://www.dmv.org/ar-arkansas/
Illinois
A foreign national visiting Illinois, who is not a resident of the State, but has a valid driver’s license from his or her home country is allowed to drive in Illinois with that driver’s license.
International driving permits are required if the home country driving license is not printed in English.
If you become a Illinois resident, you must get an Illinois Temporary Visitor Driver’s License within 90 days.
http://www.dmv.org/il-illinois/
Florida
A foreign national visiting Illinois, who is not a resident of the State, but has a valid driver’s license from his or her home country is allowed to drive in Illinois with that driver’s license.
International driving permits are not required.