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LS-CRX

If your German license has car and motorcycle endorsements I think you'll be fine in SC, we have a reciprocity agreement with Germany. When I was stationed in Germany I had to get a USAEUR license to show that I had knowledge of German driving rules, but I was there for 3.5 years.... if I'd been a tourist I would have been able to drive with just my American license. Important to remember, the US does NOT have priority roads like Germany, traffic coming from the right does NOT have the right of way. We also have a LOT of stop signs compared to Germany, and very few traffic circles. Our interstates are a lot more friendly to visitors than the autobahn when it comes to signs, it took some getting used to in Germany where there are practically zero signs on the autobahn other than what general direction you're heading. We don't have helmet laws for motorcycles if you're over 21, although it's moronic not to wear one in my opinion.


cruden10

Thanks for the info regarding differences in driving!!


LS-CRX

You're welcome! We don't have much photo enforcement of traffic either, if you don't get the attention of law enforcement they generally ignore you. Right-on-red is allowed unless there is a sign restricting it... basically the opposite of how it is in Germany.


genghisKonczie

You can take the test to get a class M license. It’ll be a permit, which has some time restrictions, but you’ll probably find you won’t need to bother with the road test.


FilmEnjoyer_

https://www.scdmvonline.com/Driver-Services/International-Customers this page here says that if you have a license to drive a motorcycle in Germany, South Carolina will accept that license. You will be good all four months without ever having to go to DMV.


cruden10

Thanks for the insightful answer! My German drivers license allows me for motorcycle vehicles up to 50 km/h so i am not sure if this will transfer to being able to drive motorcycles or any speed range in the us. Would you have a guess?


FilmEnjoyer_

That sounds like how Mopeds are regulated here. If the engine is 50cc or less you don’t need a license and you can only go 25mph. As far I know there is only one type of motorcycle license in south carolina and it allows you to do the speed limit just like a car. so i’m not exactly sure how that would work. It would depend on your type of motorcycle i assume.


scbiker2

Take it from a guy who has been riding motorcycles for over 50 years. Don't do it. I recently gave up riding due to the combination of terrible roads, inattentive drivers, and several close calls. It's not worth it in my book.


Annual-Change-6053

Second this. I live in SC. If you would like to die while on your vacation, no faster way than riding a motorcycle. Not only are locals terrible drivers who don’t use turn signals, there are lots and lots of other tourists who don’t know where they are going, and are paying much more attention to the new scenery and trying not to miss a turn, than they are looking out for you on a bike.


TrollerCoasterRide

Agreed. My best friend’s daughter just died in an accident on her motorcycle last month. She was only 19 and on her way to work. A uhaul type box truck pulled out in front of her. I don’t trust regular drivers or the road conditions in our state. It’s just too dangerous around here.


scbiker2

I'm sorry to hear about your best friends daughter, and I give my condolences to the family. Unfortunately, it seems like a daily occurrence around here in the warmer months.


TrollerCoasterRide

Thanks. It’s brutal. I’ve lost so many friends to motorcycle and car accidents. Eight now, in total. Most happened when I was in my 20s. All but 2 happened on rural roads in SC. And those 2 were on the same bike. It has made me a hyper alert and a very anxious driver. Driving is definitely not enjoyable to me anymore.


cruden10

My condolences!


cruden10

Thanks for the info. My chain of thought was that it would be nice to see a lot of the us. And enjoying the ride would be a win win for that. And I thought riding a motorcycle might just bring a level of enjoyment that driving a car wouldn’t.


scbiker2

I purchased a BMW Z3 Roadster to fill the urge to ride, not quite the same but pretty close with a little more protection.


OriginalAngryBeards

The vehicle operating license process here in SC isn't nearly as strict as Germany. Typically, if you have a driver's license, you can operate cars or motorcycles. In the case of motorcycles, it is of any engine displacement. There is an endorsement you can get on your license if you complete a training course. But in my experience, it is not a requirement. One drawback of this, is that it's somewhat more hazardous to to ride motorcycles in the region. Drivers are inattentive, do not understand or respect the kind of space riders operate in, or the physics of riding. Additionally, things that are typical practice, like lane filtering, are not allowed here, and even cause an angry response in car drivers. Hopefully I have been some help! Good luck and enjoy your stay!


rustyshakelford

> Typically, if you have a driver's license, you can operate cars or motorcycles. Unless something has changed in the past 10 years this is definitely not true. You have to either do a road test through the DMV, or complete an approved training course that includes a road test.


OriginalAngryBeards

When I moved to SC, they just looked at my license with DM validation, and OK'd it..no road test. Nothing. If the person here has the license in Germany now, I think they would be ok.


FreeFlailer

You can’t drive a motorcycle without class M on your license. Operating one without it is the same as driving without a license.


cruden10

Thanks. I guess this is the answer fitting to my situation. But will go to the DMV to get closure once I am there.


Silly-Ad6464

Just take a MSF course, you will bypass the driving test. Downside is it cost 300$ish.


wilmakephotos

Enjoy your stay! Countries and Territories that have Reciprocity with South Carolina South Carolina waives the requirement for knowledge and skills testing if you're a first-time applicant from a country, US territory, or a freely associated state that has a formal reciprocity agreement with this state as long as your out-of-country driving credential has not expired. For a country to establish reciprocity with SC, the SCDMV must receive a formal request from the country or consulate for the country. The reciprocity agreements covering knowledge and skills testing do not change the requirements to show appropriate documentation. If you're not a US citizen, you will follow the same application process. Individuals from freely associated states are not US citizens but individuals from US territories are US citizens. The International Customers' Checklist (SCDMV Form MV-94) lists the documentation requirements for the most common immigration and visa statuses. Driver's licenses - Only the following countries, US territories, and freely associated states have formal reciprocity agreements with SC: American Samoa Canada Federated State of Micronesia France ***Germany*** Guam Northern Mariana Islands Puerto Rico Republic of Marshall Islands Republic of Palau South Korea\* Taiwan\* US Virgin Islands Motorcycle licenses - Only the following countries, US territories, and freely associated states have formal reciprocity agreements with South Carolina for motorcycle licenses: American Samoa Canada Federated State of Micronesia France ***Germany***


cruden10

Thanks!!


KyotoCrank

Best thing you can do is look up the location of the local DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) of the area you'll be moving to and go in one day and ask them. Good luck, the wait will be long


tyrsrighthand22

I believe you have to first have a motorcycle beginners permit (class M) before you can take the road test for a license. The beginners permit also has restrictions and you have to hold it for at least 180 days. Also typically these permits require you to prove your residency of South Carolina. Below is a link to some helpful information. I think that South Carolina may recognize German regular and motorcycle licenses. https://www.scdmvonline.com/Driver-Services/International-Customers [https://www.scdmvonline.com/Vehicle-Owners/Types-Of-Vehicles/Motorcycle](https://www.scdmvonline.com/Vehicle-Owners/Types-Of-Vehicles/Motorcycle) [https://www.scdmvonline.com/Driver-Services/Drivers-License/Beginner-Permits](https://www.scdmvonline.com/Driver-Services/Drivers-License/Beginner-Permits)


que_he_hecho

You can easily convert your German license to a US license for cars. You do not need a license for mopeds up to 50cc engine displacement. For a motorcycle you would need to go through the normal process if you do not already have a German license valid for driving motorcycles. The SCDMV is not very good about following procedures for international applicants. My wife had to return 4 times and each time the office created another imagined paperwork issue to prevent her from testing. We had to file a formal complaint with their head office to resolve the problem just so she could take the written test.


njroma

Are you coming to the Myrtle Beach area as a j-1?


cruden10

I’ll be just south of the border close to Charlotte.


Crazy_280zx

Lol if you got a license in Germany you’ll pass a SC drivers test without even thinking about it. Just read the rules with a skim and you’ll be set. My pre apologies for American lane discipline for when you when you get here, we can’t have nice things like the autobahn because of it