Drivers License Laws for International People in America?

[iden]

I have a friend who's from china who is a international student who is also my room mate for college, he's comming over soon for the new semester and is getting his drivers license in china, he's woundering if he has to get a new one if he wants to drive in America thanks

[morcan]

In general, a bona-fide visitor can drive on their foreign license. However, each State sets the laws for how long you can be here and still be a visitor. He should check the laws of your unknown State.

Also, unless his Chinese license is printed in English, he'll need an International Driving Permit bearing an English language translation of his Chinese license. Note that an IDP can NOT be used on its own - it must be supported by a nationally issued license.

Richard