Is Foreign Driver's License Valid in US?

choi

The short answer is: it is up to individual states. If a foreign nation that issues your driver's license is a signatory to international treaties (see (2)), US federal government requires all jurisdictions (including states) to reciprocate. For those foreign nations that has not ratified the treaties, driving privilege depends on mercy of a state.

(1) General Information About Driver Licenses. Department of Motor Vehicles, New York State, undated.
http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/license.htm
(“In most cases, you can drive in NYS if you have a valid driver license from another country. See ‘Drivers From Other Nations’")

(2) FAQs about International Driving Permits, International Driver Licenses & Driving Priviledges for Foreign Licensed Drivers. Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), updated April 2004.
http://www.mass.gov/rmv/forms/21317.pdf

Quote:

"Q#5. Does Massachusetts honor valid foreign driver licenses from every country?

"A No. Massachusetts will only honor valid licenses from countries identified in Appendix 'C' of the current Massachusetts
Driver’s Manual. Appendix 'C' is re-printed here for your review. Most of the identified countries are parties to one of the two major international road or automotive traffic conventions the U.S. recognizes. Germany and Switzerland are not parties to the 1949 Road Traffic Convention but their driver licenses are honored based on reciprocal agreements. At present, validly licensed drivers from some of the former USSR republics are also recognized.

Note: Taiwan signed, but not PRC.