DMV (CA) tells me they cannot issue me a Driving licence when I passed written and behind the wheel (details inside)

[newacct 688]

Apparently there is a law in CA that allows anyone to have a driving licence included illegal aliens.

Like I mentioned, you can get an AB60 driver's license without a legal presence document, but not a regular driver's license.

[caliliving 606]

California gives out drivers license to anyone! It is a special one, but it is easy to get! you should get that for the time being...

I actually got my DL a while ago when I was on OPT and it was a really easy process:/ so I am not sure why u r having problems?? I also renewewd it while out of status.. sooo?? i am not sure why it works for some and not for others, but CA is pretty relaxed!

[mallafri76 1,012]

How will you obtain car insurance without a valid drivers license. It is illegal to drive without a license, and it is illegal to drive without insurance.

As long as OPs international license is valid in his state, he can still get car insurance on it and use it to drive. In Texas, international licenses are valid for three months for residents, so I was able to buy and register a car as well as get car insurance using my international license.

[quesma 10]

Thanks everyone. For now my wife is driving me around. This is kinda funny and ironic that when they gave me a permit I was able to drive with her on the other seat but when I passed the behind the wheel test when I should have been given a licence they wont allow me to drive. Gah!

[gradtaai 8]

I e-mail DMV Oregon last month asking if I could drive with my Thailand DL for a month while I applied for an Oregon DL. They told me I can use it for a year. They did recommend that I get IDP, but said it wasn't necessary. Not sure why the recommendation?

[TabeaK 517]

Because if they pull you over for a traffic violation, an IDP is way easier to deal with for a cop than a license from a country he has probably never seen before. Get an IDP, it is really easy to do and helps.....

[Caryh 5,206]

I e-mail DMV Oregon last month asking if I could drive with my Thailand DL for a month while I applied for an Oregon DL. They told me I can use it for a year. They did recommend that I get IDP, but said it wasn't necessary. Not sure why the recommendation?

Using a foreign drivers license for a year is actually only an option for visitors to the country. When you move here on a K-1 or other visa and take residence (not to be confused with being a permanent resident with the US government), but residency based on state rules, you can no longer avail yourself of this privilege. You need to look at how long they give a new resident to get a local license that moved from another state. Yes, some idiot at the DMV might say its ok for one year, but when a police officer pulls you over, you're going to find yourself charged with driving without a license.

Edited May 17, 2016 by Caryh

[gradtaai 8]

Using a foreign drivers license for a year is actually only an option for visitors to the country. When you move here on a K-1 or other visa and take residence (not to be confused with being a permanent resident with the US government), but residency based on state rules, you can no longer avail yourself of this privilege. You need to look at how long they give a new resident to get a local license that moved from another state. Yes, some idiot at the DMV might say its ok for one year, but when a police officer pulls you over, you're going to find yourself charged with driving without a license.

Well, I e-mailed them again, explained everything in detail--again, and they said the same thing, one year----- they even put a phone number on the e-mail for the police to call if I should be pulled over and told me to carry the e-mail------ Maybe I got the same idiot a second time. But it is confusing as they only give people from other states 60 days so it seems they have different rules for international. In my case it does not matter, as I plan to get the Oregon DL as soon as possible anyway.

Believe me, I was just as surprised to hear "one year". I didn't even think they would allow me to drive at all with a DL from non-European country like Thailand.

[NikLR 13,234]

http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/pages/driverid/residency.aspx

[Boiler 48,055]

http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/pages/driverid/residency.aspx

That mentions no grace period.

[gradtaai 8]

http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/pages/driverid/residency.aspx

Been there-- that is where I got the contact information. I BELIEVE after reading all the bylaws, this may be the "loop hole"

(3) For purposes of this section,

“domicile” has the meaning given in ORS

803.355.

(4) For purposes of this section, a person

is a resident of this state if the person engages

in any gainful employment in this state

or takes any action to indicate the acquiring

of residence in this state. Action to acquire

residence includes, but is not limited to, doing

any of the following:

(a) Remaining in this state for a consecutive

period of six months or more regardless

of the domicile of the person.

(b) Placing children in a public school

without payment of nonresident tuition fees.

© Making a declaration to be a resident

of this state for the purpose of obtaining, at

resident rates, a state license or tuition fees

at an educational institution maintained by

public funds.

(5) Notwithstanding subsection (4) of this

section, a person who is gainfully employed

in this state shall not be considered a resident

of the state if the person has taken no

other steps to become a resident. This section

applies, but is not limited to, a student

at an educational institution maintained by

public funds who is paying nonresident tuition

rates. [1993 c.751 §33]

Anyway this is about Cal, so I had a look at their site and found this about IDL

International Driving Permits

The State of California does not recognize an International Driving Permit (IDP) as a valid driver license. California does recognize a valid driver license that is issued by a foreign jurisdiction (country, state, territory) of which the license holder is a resident.

The IDP is only a translation of information contained on a person's foreign driver license and is not required to operate a motor vehicle in California. Citations issued to a person in California who has an IDP, but does not have a California driver license will be placed on the Department of Motor Vehicle database.

The IDP is also called an International Driver License, International License, etc.

[NikLR 13,234]

Yeesh.... i hate when off topic posts get me off topic. Whomever brought up oregon, shame on you! Sorry OP.

[Caryh 5,206]

Well, I e-mailed them again, explained everything in detail--again, and they said the same thing, one year----- they even put a phone number on the e-mail for the police to call if I should be pulled over and told me to carry the e-mail------ Maybe I got the same idiot a second time. But it is confusing as they only give people from other states 60 days so it seems they have different rules for international. In my case it does not matter, as I plan to get the Oregon DL as soon as possible anyway.

Believe me, I was just as surprised to hear "one year". I didn't even think they would allow me to drive at all with a DL from non-European country like Thailand.

I find that very surprising myself. Most states don't allow the new resident to wait that long to change, but do allow vacationers to keep driving on their home country license for the extended period. Many confuse the difference and they are the ones that can get nailed. My wife had a drivers license in her home country, I was well aware as she was establishing residency here, it was only good for 30 days, not the year they give visitors.

[HollywoodNorth 22]

Apparently there is a law in CA that allows anyone to have a driving licence included illegal aliens.

Given the state political situation in regards to the issue, the DMV seems to be... well.. pretty much not caring what your status is in the US unless you make a big issue out of it.

When I moved back to California, I tried to show them my immigrant visa and redo the written test per policy and the DMV just said "Nah, we don't need to see that, we'll reissue your old license with your updated photo and address". Fastest DMV visit I've had in a long time. Especially the grief I was given at the BC DMV in Canada for not having a middle name in my passport.. haha.

Insurance in California is handled by the vehicle VIN, not the drivers status. For example I have a BC Registered Canadian truck with California Insurance on it.

California is different I'll give you that...

[gradtaai 8]

I find that very surprising myself. Most states don't allow the new resident to wait that long to change, but do allow vacationers to keep driving on their home country license for the extended period. Many confuse the difference and they are the ones that can get nailed. My wife had a drivers license in her home country, I was well aware as she was establishing residency here, it was only good for 30 days, not the year they give visitors.

I THINK that is what I am being told. Even if I am living here in the state, and I do none of the things mentioned to establish residence in the state. I CAN still be considered a resident of Thailand and can drive here for 6 months. The one year thing does confuse me, but reading between the lines. It could mean that the license is good for one year after entering the country. So if I moved into the state after 9 months of being in the states, it would only be good for 3 months.

I apologize for the "off topic" but I thought others might want to know that there could be "grey areas" in each states residence laws as far as being able to drive on their foreign drivers license. I see the OP worked out their own problem.