Driving License??

[loosegee 3]

Trying to get an idea of what things i need to do within the first few weeks after moving to California while i wait for my SSN to arrive.

I currently have a UK drivers license. I will be entering under IR-1/CR-1 January 2013 so adjustment of status isn't an issue.

I think i remember reading somewhere that new residents in California MUST apply for or exchange their drivers license within 7 or 10 days or something like that.

So my question is, as a new resident of California MUST i apply for a California license within this 7-10 day period? I understand that i will have to sit a driving test and wont be able to just exchange my license. Or can i continue to use my UK license for up to a year or so?

My wife tells me that i wont be able to get car insurance if i don't have a US license so i'm kind of a little confused about what i need to do and when.

Before anyone suggests it, i've been all over the California DMV site and can't find a clear answer to this so i'm hoping some people on here having actual experience. Cheers

[Moomin 292]

No, you actually can't because it requires that you have ssn. So you'll have to wait for that to show up, or apply for it if it doesn't show up.

Here's one who went through it not that long ago; http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/311775-california-driver-license-written-test/page__view__findpost__p__5376897

[loosegee 3]

Thanks for the link Moomin. Appreciate it

[florida4life 29]

Thanks for the link Moomin. Appreciate it

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/fast_facts/ffdl32.htm

[Moomin 292]

Thanks for the link Moomin. Appreciate it

Np.

Bear in mind that DMV checks your immigration status and the driver's license will expire when your current greencard/stamp expires(when it's time to ROC). If you're entering on a CR1, that would be 2 years.

[Holliver 0]

Trying to get an idea of what things i need to do within the first few weeks after moving to California while i wait for my SSN to arrive.

I currently have a UK drivers license. I will be entering under IR-1/CR-1 January 2013 so adjustment of status isn't an issue.

I think i remember reading somewhere that new residents in California MUST apply for or exchange their drivers license within 7 or 10 days or something like that.

So my question is, as a new resident of California MUST i apply for a California license within this 7-10 day period? I understand that i will have to sit a driving test and wont be able to just exchange my license. Or can i continue to use my UK license for up to a year or so?

My wife tells me that i wont be able to get car insurance if i don't have a US license so i'm kind of a little confused about what i need to do and when.

Before anyone suggests it, i've been all over the California DMV site and can't find a clear answer to this so i'm hoping some people on here having actual experience. Cheers

You can get car insurance on a foreign license. Just not all insurance providers will allow it. I'm insured on my British license with State Farm. They also gave me a "good driver" discount when I provided the paper portion of my license showing that I hadn't gotten any points.

The law is quite grey as too whether or not you can drive on your foreign license. I guess it depends on how you define being a resident of California. It can mean different things to different people. I missed the deadline to apply for my CA license - you have up until 14 (something like that, I think, maybe someone else can clarify?) days before the expiry of your I-94 to apply. After that you can wait for your EAD - which shows proof of legal residency to apply. So, I"ve been driving round on mine as I hadn't been approved for my AOS, nor received my EAD, so inmy head I'm not yet a resident of California...wouldn;t like to have a run in with an officer as I'm not sure how well my argument would stand up in a court of law.

Hope that helps.

[sms78 18]

Hi, you cannot use your UK license in Cali because you're not a tourist. Driving with an international license is a privilege for tourists and temporary visitors only. You must apply CA driver's license within 10 days of becoming a CA resident. As far as DMV is concerned, you　become a California resident the day you arrived in CA. That's the official rule anyway. In reality, I'm sure many people fail to apply within 10 days because I mean 10 days!!?? come on. Your SSN might not even come within 10 days.

You just need to go there and ask. That is the best thing you can do. I just renewed my long expired (over 1 year) CA license without a problem. One suggestion: if you happened to get a mean uptight DMV rep, just leave and try another time or another location and ask the same question. Some DMV ppl are very understanding and helpful. You want to talk to those nice people