Can I get car insurance with a foreign driver's license?

What to expect

• Fewer insurers: many only quote drivers with a US license. Others accept a foreign or international license, usually at a higher price.
• New-driver pricing: your years of driving abroad usually don't count, so you may be priced like a beginner until you build a US record. A few insurers accept driving records from some countries, so ask.
• Credit history: in most states insurers use credit to price car insurance, and a new arrival has none yet.

Your license may stop being valid

Once you become a resident of a state, most states expect you to get their license within a set time, often somewhere between 10 and 90 days. After that, driving on a foreign license can be illegal, and a crash could become a claims problem. An International Driving Permit is only a translation of your home license, not a license of its own.

Check your state's motor vehicle agency for the exact rule, and book the tests early, because appointments can take weeks.

What you need to buy

Almost every state requires liability insurance before you drive. State minimum limits are low; higher limits protect your savings if you cause a serious crash. If you have a car loan or lease, the lender will also require collision and comprehensive.