Can I drive with an expired New Jersey drivers license in Spain?
i just set up a car rental by email (from the US) in New Zealand for January 2007. We had to send them driver license info for my wife and myself, and they were quick to notice that my wife’s license will expire in December 2006, and stated that they would like the updated info once her new license arrives. So my assumption would be that yes, the rental places will notice and possibly not rent to you… unless you can find a smalltime rental place – like some garage that rents out a few cars, and isn’t part of a big chain.
In jersey you can (or at least you used to) be able to drive with an expired license although you could be fined. Sorry, that’s one of the stupidest things I’ve read in a long time. I guess in BigBrownBear’s world, everything is okay. You can drive 120 miles per hour, although again with the fine thing, and of course you may get arrested, but that doesn’t actually make it wrong because you can do it. Of course you can’t legally drive in Spain, or New Jersey, or anywhere else without a valid, up-to-date license. What would be the damn point of the license otherwise?
In bigbrownbear’s world, I have been stopped three times in cars where the driver had an expired license and every time there was only the threat of a fine, twice waved by a nice cop (I was never the driver). Previously, there was a $60 (approx.) fee for the car missing up to date drivers license, registration or insurance card. I have no idea what the law actually is now – i am speaking of my experience. Then again, i havent actually lived in nj for a while so i dont know what the deal is. also, that is why i havent been able to renew it. you have to go in person now.
Over here in Europe, it seems to be the case that, once you have a licence, you have it for life, or until you’re old enough not to care. For example, my UK driving licence doesn’t expire until 2040, when I hit my 70th birthday. Generally, having a licence issued is proof that you can drive. Expiry of the licence is just an arbitrary condition that hasn’t really been bought into over here. To me, it would be strange that they would even check. Of course, I’ve never tried to hire a car in Spain on an expired US licence, so if you’re stranded and you’re life is detroyed on the basis of this advice, don’t hesitate to not call me.
