License conversion in US

[JSCJL]

Anyone knows how to do license conversion in the US? Coz coming Feb will be going there for some exchange for a year. So, maybe can try biking when I'm over there.

[C0C0]

If you are a seasoned rider the test is is not difficult. It is all slow speed bike control.

 

If you plan to purchase a bike insurance may be pricey as you would be listed as a new rider.

[comics00]

SG license not reconise there. u can try getting a international license from AA.

imo it will be better if u get US license as there license are like an id can even register for fire arm. but diff state has diff requirement, u may not allow to apply in some states, but wat the hack, all u need to do is travel to a state that allows u to do it

*insurance there is a killer. back in 2005, i had to pay almost US$2,500 for bike & US$1,300 for car

[GuiNNeSS]

TS,

 

Getting a International Driving Permit, though it does not really mean much, but it best to have, on the safe side.

 

Since you are leaving for a year. Do this.

 

1) Take your papers that says you are going to USA for a year, apply to CID for a CNCC. Certificate of No Criminal Conviction. Bring it along.

 

2) Get a year travel insurance, its cheaper. Don't rely on the organisation to get it for you. They are only getting it to cover for their losses, not your family. Make sure the date of coverage start on the day you fly. Personal Accident policy together too, if you can. A little more protection, won't hurt anyone.

 

3) Plan your flu vaccination one week before you fly. I was told it actually only starts working one week after the jab.

 

4) Get your dental cleared, checks and cleaning....and if you have crowns, get the dentist to wash carefully and check for cracks where germs might get in or simply take out the crown.......hurting while on a trip was horrible. And you wont feel the pain till just when you are sleeping.

 

5) Do the International Driving Permit, the day before you fly, so can last thru the rest of your year.

 

6) Drop by Beach Road Army market and pick up at least 4 big kitbags. Trust me, they are foldable, very hardy, and cheap to haul home whatever barang barang you might have purchased back there. I totally skipped bringing luggage. The Army Kit Bags works as luggage, and shaved off few kgs cos luggage itself weighs.

 

7) Forget about bringing your riding gears, buying there is cheaper!

 

8) And if you must sleep with a bolster in Singapore. Bring one washable one there, along with the bolster case. You will need it.

 

9) Keep passport, Sg driving licence, IDP, Travel Insurance Card, CNCC & the copy of the organisation letter together. Keep your NRIC with your sg credit card elsewhere and keep it safe. Discounts cards, can throw at home liao. Keys lah, sg coins lah, cash cards & Ezlink cards too.

 

10) Bring your Nokia phone, and if your friends has those 2 pin chargers, take from them and leave your 3 pins at home!

[GuiNNeSS]

Errm.....did I mention 3g? Check with your service provider, that you got 3g service and that your phone is 3g. Then hor, negotiate to lower your phone charges to less then $10 a month payable thru your Giro starting the day after you flew.

 

And get internet banking, make sure if the bank gives you token.....its battery is up to date.

 

TT/cashier order so you can start another a/c in USA for use in USA. Bank charges and conversation charges of your sg a/c will drain you.

[BlackDawn]

Hmm, I've rented cars & bikes in the US before with my Singapore License. That was for short business trips, of course.

How long do you need to be in the USA before a license conversion is compulsory?

[GuiNNeSS]

Depends on the state, thats why Comics was suggesting, that if the state you are in, dont recognize sg licence, you should just hop to the next state that does that conversion and get the US licence.

[JSCJL]

Haha! Thanks for the many advise! But still come down to the same question, still need to take the bike test there? Hmmm..

 

Sian~

[GuiNNeSS]

Whats there to be sianz about?

 

Experience what their test is about and how they do it lah. Come here and tell us!

[panclanrider]

I believe all the test & practical standards we have in Sg is sufficient or even more demanding than in most of the countries around the world..

[comics00]

TS,

 

do worry abt their test. trust me, their so call test is a joke by our standard

btw, make sure u have atleast 2 ID from the states, u need them for registeration for licence. i can think of 1 is employment letter/ID by that USA registered Co. visa not counted. if u working for some ??? of Department (?OD) they will issuse a temp ID.

 

kitty,

 

our friend going for work lah, not moving house! the list of things u gave him

btw, if i can remember, international licence onli valid for 6mths.

[biting_point]

international license from AA is valid a year, for just paying $20 +GST IIRC..

it's just a booklet..

[biting_point]

international license from AA is valid a year, for just paying $20 +GST IIRC..

it's just a booklet..

[GuiNNeSS]

kitty,

 

our friend going for work lah, not moving house! the list of things u gave him

 

Wah lau eh.......if he is really moving house there, I got a even bigger list. This list so far is only about documents.

 

And army Kit bags, which we buy easily at $12/- each, will come in handy for his trip home. If he uses them in place of normal luggage going there, its up to him to realise how useful they are.

 

If he is going over as a student. He will need to bring over more stuff.

[comics00]

Wah lau eh.......if he is really moving house there, I got a even bigger list. This list so far is only about documents.

 

And army Kit bags, which we buy easily at $12/- each, will come in handy for his trip home. If he uses them in place of normal luggage going there, its up to him to realise how useful they are.

 

If he is going over as a student. He will need to bring over more stuff.

 

forget the kitbag lah. back in 2005 they bloody charge US$25 per extra luggage

i perfer to mail my extras back home.

[GuiNNeSS]

The costs are different lah. Let the boy later decide on extra luggage to bring home, or to mail home. Depends on where he is, and what kinda the company/organization benefits that his one will provide. Military service have some kinda allowance on luggages , and some companies like Fed Ex, actually allows you to ship over on one flight. Oil companies provide you a container. So it depends on what I 'do not know'.

 

Kitbags, especially the canvas ones, are ultra sturdy and freaking cheap. Better then those heavy hardshell/canvass luggage and cheaper then those flimsy nylon travel bags you buy for cheapest USD14.90 @ Walmart. So just fold 2 into whatever you are bringing over there. And they are lightweight enough for you to mail back with your stuff, if you are so inclined.

Edited October 14, 2010 by ViciousKitty74

[DeusExMachina]

international license from AA is valid a year, for just paying $20 +GST IIRC..

it's just a booklet..

 

 

Yeah. Cheap for a year.

I got it and used it to ride in Taiwan, a LHD country.

 

Takes about 10 minutes to get used to the new orientation. LOL.

After that I was riding just like the locals... which is to say... recklessly. :P

[yogi]

Yeah. Cheap for a year.

I got it and used it to ride in Taiwan, a LHD country.

 

Takes about 10 minutes to get used to the new orientation. LOL.

After that I was riding just like the locals... which is to say... recklessly. :P

 

driving leh? wil face prob wif our RHD licence bo ?

[DeusExMachina]

Just tell them that you've drove in another LHD country before. Name one... Korea, TW, whatever.

 

After that, whether you crash head on or not, is your own problem.

[comics00]

Just tell them that you've drove in another LHD country before. Name one... Korea, TW, whatever.

 

After that, whether you crash head on or not, is your own problem.

Oops! that was wat i did when i applied for 1 back in 2005 think i mention Taiwan

[yogi]

cool... go taiwan.. left oni 'ko-re-a'...

[GuiNNeSS]

I keep thinking I forgot something, so I was checking into this thread often, but also seem to missed it. Blame it on my getting old.

 

Ok.....here's the thing. International Driving Permit, you get at AA Singapore. Is Valid for ONE year.

 

But here's the catch, for foreigners coming to Singapore with the IDP. You are only allowed to use the IDP coupled with your foreign driving licence for driving in Singapore for 6 months.

 

If you are staying and driving in Singapore for more then 6 months. You need to do the conversion to get a Singapore Driving Licence to drive in Singapore after 6 months.

 

So to the TS that is going off overseas and staying overseas, you need to check at that country, whether they have this silly rule in Singapore.