Obtaining driver's license in California

[* Kristin * 49]

I've tried searching some previous posts on this topic; however, I can't seem to find quite what we're after.... apologies if I somehow missed this information somewhere.

My fiance arrived in the US on June 9, 2011 on a K-1 visa.

We have not married yet and therefore have not filed AOS.

He is going to get his SSN number next week.

To obtain a driver's license IN CALIFORNIA, is an SSN required? Or can he go and take the written portion of his test - bringing valid I-94 - BEFORE he receives his SSN to obtain his license?

Thanks....

K.

[Mrstate 1]

You need ssn when u apply for drivers license, when i apply for my ssn the lady told me that i can check back with 24 - 48 hours to see if they have a number for me and i did the next day, you can go back to the ssn office and they will print u the number until u get ur ssn card in the mail, mine took about a week

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

Yes,

not only is a SSN required, but the California DMV will cross-check the SSA's records before issuing a California driver (no "s") license to him.

There are several problems attached to this, however.

First, the California DMV just recently introduced a new driver license that is so safe that the vendor in Connecticut has problems making them. I waited several months for mine. Secondly, the best your fiance can hope for is a California license that expires when his I-94 expires. The problem with that is that once he has an expired California driver license, he can't use his British license anymore. I therefore strongly suggest that he drives with his British license until he becomes a California resident. That will be the case once he has his Green Card or at least his EAD in hand.

[JoannaV 173]

I agree with Just Bob. Until your fiance is actually a proper resident, he should drive on his British licence.

[* Kristin * 49]

Just Bob / Joanna.. interesting points, thank you.

See - that is what we had planned to do - allow him to drive on his UK license; however, he was reading the Driver Manual and it stated something like you can only drive for 10 days on a foreign license? Is that truly the case? (He's just surpassed the 10-day mark)

Yes,

not only is a SSN required, but the California DMV will cross-check the SSA's records before issuing a California driver (no "s") license to him.

There are several problems attached to this, however.

First, the California DMV just recently introduced a new driver license that is so safe that the vendor in Connecticut has problems making them. I waited several months for mine. Secondly, the best your fiance can hope for is a California license that expires when his I-94 expires. The problem with that is that once he has an expired California driver license, he can't use his British license anymore. I therefore strongly suggest that he drives with his British license until he becomes a California resident. That will be the case once he has his Green Card or at least his EAD in hand.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

Just Bob / Joanna.. interesting points, thank you.

See - that is what we had planned to do - allow him to drive on his UK license; however, he was reading the Driver Manual and it stated something like you can only drive for 10 days on a foreign license? Is that truly the case? (He's just surpassed the 10-day mark)

One has 10 days after becoming a resident of the Golden State to apply for a California driver license. In layman's terms: once he has his Green Card he has 10 days to get this buttock to the DMV and apply for a California driver license. Imagine every tourist could only use their rental car for 10 days and thereafter take the bus or hire a limousine!

The California DMV states: "Presence in the state for six months or more in any 12-month period gives rise to a rebuttable presumption of residency." So if he hasn't received his Green Card within a year, he also is prohibited to continue driving on his British license any longer.

[missicy 87]

One has 10 days after becoming a resident of the Golden State to apply for a California driver license. In layman's terms: once he has his Green Card he has 10 days to get this buttock to the DMV and apply for a California driver license.

10 day requirement is a bit confusing. Is is neccessary to apply for it in 10 days, even if you don't plan on driving right away? If I don't apply within 10 days, will I still be able to apply for it later when I decide to start driving?

[* Kristin * 49]

Just Bob,

Thanks for the clarification.. the '10 day' bit was a little confusing... but when you put it in the "what would a tourist do" situation - make a lot more sense. Thanks!

One has 10 days after becoming a resident of the Golden State to apply for a California driver license. In layman's terms: once he has his Green Card he has 10 days to get this buttock to the DMV and apply for a California driver license. Imagine every tourist could only use their rental car for 10 days and thereafter take the bus or hire a limousine!

The California DMV states: "Presence in the state for six months or more in any 12-month period gives rise to a rebuttable presumption of residency." So if he hasn't received his Green Card within a year, he also is prohibited to continue driving on his British license any longer.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

10 day requirement is a bit confusing. Is is neccessary to apply for it in 10 days, even if you don't plan on driving right away? If I don't apply within 10 days, will I still be able to apply for it later when I decide to start driving?

If you don't plan on driving, you don't need a driver's license, ever. There is no law requiring anybody to apply for a driver's license ("driver license" in California).

What we are talking about here is that somebody who wants to operate a motor vehicle needs a driver's license. If such a person becomes the resident of a state of the union, he or she has a certain grace period in which they would need to apply for a state-issued driver's license. In California that is 10 days after becoming a resident. A resident is not only a person who pays in-state tuition in California, or is registered to vote in California, or pays property taxes in California, but also a person who spent more than 180 days in any given calendar year in California. Thus, it's 10 days after becoming a resident, to which the 1-year time frame puts a definite end.

Even more to the point, in California one can drive with their foreign license up to 10 days after receiving the Green Card but not longer than 1 year.

Since driving license issues are state issues, every state can handle this differently.