<p>Am I allowed to drive with my South African driver's license? Will, police officers accept it if I was hypothetically pulled over? </p>
<p>Obviously I won't be able to buy/rent a car..</p>
<p>Yes you can buy or rent a car. You can also drive with your South African license (contact your state… our traffic laws are governed by each individual state) There are sometimes restrictions that after you live here for so long that you need to get a state issued license even if you are not a resident or legal alien. </p>
<p>There are many auto clubs and different organizations that sell “international drivers license” however these are all scams and just take your money without giving you anything of value.</p>
<p>Awesome thanks :)</p>
<p>Looks like I have to apply for a temporary visitors drivers license?</p>
<p>[Illinois</a> Temporary Visitor Drivers License](<a href=“http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/drivers/drivers_license/tempvisitordl.html]Illinois”>http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/drivers/drivers_license/tempvisitordl.html)</p>
<p>boramk, you would apply for a regular full driver’s license. It looks like the temporary license is meant for foreign individuals who do not qualify for social security numbers, but international students do. </p>
<p>BowTieFratty, where did you get the info that South African licenses are at least temporarily valid in the state of Illinois? </p>
<p>The German counterpart to the American AAA advises drivers that German driver’s licenses may not be valid in some US states without additional paperwork. That makes me cautious to make optimistic assumptions about the OP’s situation, unless there’s an authoritative source stating so. </p>
<p>And about renting cars: most companies do not rent to drivers under 21.</p>
<p>Wait. So I can’t drive? I have to do a drivers exam and pass that again to get a permit?</p>
<p>According to this website, you should be able to use your foreign licence for up to one year. Then you’ll need to get one from the state of Illinois. [Illinois</a> New License Application Info - DMV Guide](<a href=“Illinois New License Application Info | DMV.ORG”>Illinois New License Application Info | DMV.ORG)</p>
<p>If you apply for a temporary license for foreign nationals who are ineligible for a Social Security Number, you will have to pass the vision, written and driving tests. If you apply for a regular license, it appears that you would still have to take the vision and written exams but you might get the road test waived. [Illinois</a> Relocation Guide - IL Moving Guide - DMV Guide](<a href=“http://www.dmv.org/il-illinois/new-to-illinois.php]Illinois”>Illinois Relocation Guide & Moving Guide | DMV.ORG)</p>
<p>Please note that the website I am quoting is not official.</p>
<p>I recommend that you ask your local DMV about your options and responsibilities once you arrive in the US.</p>