US visa and driving offences

[sarahknapp21]

Will having a driving offence, driving without insurance cause problems when getting a waiver visa?

[Mumof2]

According to the visa waiver program site any motoring offense that resulted in arrest and/or a conviction is not eligible for the VWP so a visa needs to be applied for
Upon reading some of the various forums re this question it has been suggested that when you fill out the VWP forms you say no to the 'any convictions' part,so I suppose it's up to you how honest you are

Other posters may be more knowledgeable then me

[sarahknapp21]

thanks for your help. So do u think that if u put no convictions theres no way that they cud find out. Thing is we go away in 2weeks and this problem has only jst been thought of so a little stressed!

[Mumof2]

I would suggest ringing the US embassy and asking

if you lied on the visa waiver form and was found out you could be deported and any future visa applications would be declined but saying that do US customs have access to the UK police database to check all incoming tourists for any convictions..I don't know..so it's up to you

best of luck in whatever you choose

[GEEMAC]

If you're going away in 2 weeks, I don't think that you'll have time to sort out a visa. If you phone the embassy they will just refer you to the 'rules' and the rules state that you should apply for a visa. So you are in a bit of a catch22 situation. I went to the States last year and was worried about a similar conviction from many years ago but I needn't have been. You get a form to fill out on the plane with a whole load of questions. As long as you put the 'right' answers, I don't think they have the computer data of everyone's driving offences from around the world.
I think they are probably more interested in drug barons and terrorists (don't put a tick in the boxes that ask if you are a drug baron or terrorist!).
Ultimately though, it's your call. Try not to look too 'guilty' when you go through immigration (which was a lot easier and quicker than I was expecting) and I'm sure you'll be ok.

[dzug]

You do not have time to get a visa - it's at least a month's wait for an appointment at the Embassy, normally.

They really have no way of knowing about your offence unless you admit it or look guilty enough for them to trick or cajole it out of you.

And I'm pretty sure that motoring offences do not fall under the heading of 'moral turpitude', which is what the question on the visa waiver application from actually asks - so you wouldn't be lying if you ticked 'no'. Even drink driving is not that heinous in the US.

[Buenchico]

There's been a post, here on AB, from someone who's partner was twice convicted of driving without insurance. They applied for a visa and waited 6 months before being told that their application had been refused.

If you're travelling in 2 weeks time, you've got no choice other than to 'forget' about your conviction when completing the visa waiver form.

The US immigration authorities have no direct access to UK criminal records, so (fingers crossed) you shouldn't have any problems.

Chris

[sarahknapp21]

thanks for all ur help kinda feeling little better about the whole thing. Just going to try n not worry and fingers crossed should be alright. Really hope this doesnt effect us when we travel. Thanks again.

[mental annie]

had something slightly simular recently, myself and my husband booked for vegas then discovered this visa thing, my husband had a drink driving conviction from when he was 19 (he's now 48) also we were arrested for drunk & disorderly and charged but aquitted this too happened many moons ago. So I phoned the american embassy and was told by the advisor we would need to apply for visa, (but my understanding was that they have to tell everyone that as the decision is not theirs) we were told there is no such thing as 'spent' convictions, so before we booked our appoinment we had to get a police certificate which would detail everything ever on file about us, luckily when it came back it said 'no trace' of criminal record found, so that's it we shan't be bothering either, but if you feel happier getting one of these certificates see your local police station these can be done within hours, it might not show & give you peace of mind. Hope everything goes well sure it will, enjoy yourself.

[sarahknapp21]

Just to let u know that it all went fine had a amazing time and the driving without insurance wasnt a problem didnt even ask about driving offences just the 'moral turpitude' part which doesnt seem to mean driving offfences. So all that worry for nothing!! Thanks for all ur advise