Legal Question in Criminal Law in South Carolina
International Drivers License
Is this legal? Can I use it in the United States and be a Citizen of the U.S.?
1 Answer from Attorneys
International Drivers License
To have an International Drivers License, you must have shown the authority issuing it a valid state license from one of the United States, unless it is issued by a foreign country. If issued by a foreign country, you have that country's license to provide. You should always carry BOTH. An "International Drivers License" is really not a license at all, but a request to honor your own driver's license in a foreign jurisdiction. And it is ONLY a request. If you read it, and you read the protocols in international law that cause it to operate, countries , including ours can regulate and refuse it even if they have pledged to honor it.
As far as the US is concerned, if you are a US citizen, most states would want to see a valid drivers' license from your home state of record. (which is the only place you are supposed to have one) And the International Driver's License is only good for one year and must be renewed on the strength of a state license from one of the 50 states.
I would not use it if I were you, for driving purposes here; just for a second corroborating identification.