When should I get my driver’s license?

[Rhonda.L 0]

My husband and I both don’t have a driver’s license in our own country and we’ll be moving to California (SF or Orange County) next year. Should we get an international driver’s license in our own country first? Or wait until we land America?

[StaROI 39]

I dont know of California but in Maryland they dont take international drivers license.. if you have to bring a driver license from your country bring the local drivers license ( I mean the one you use within your country because this happened to me so I'm currently starting afresh because I brought international drivers license instead of my country's drivers license.)

[DaveAndAnastasia 2,092]

On 12/1/2019 at 11:11 AM, Rhonda.L said:

My husband and I both don’t have a driver’s license in our own country and we’ll be moving to California (SF or Orange County) next year. Should we get an international driver’s license in our own country first? Or wait until we land America?

My understanding is that an "international driver's license" is just a translation of your driver's license. It's not a legal document.

 

In most countries, the requirements for a driver's license are more difficult than they are in the US, so if you don't currently drive, it may be easier to learn (and pass the tests) in the US.

 

However, in most of California, road test appointments are somewhat backed up (it'll likely be a couple of months from when you make a road test appointment to your actual road test), so if your country has license reciprocity with CA, it might be better to get a license there so you can just trade it in for CA one once you've got sufficient documentation of CA residency and legal presence in the US.

[Shirleynbun 0]

Are you in hk? If yes u can apply international drivers license. When u land California, u have to make appt at dmv to do written test n road test. I used my international drivers license in the beginning as I need to go out for household goods shopping. 

[Rhonda.L 0]

On 12/15/2019 at 3:02 PM, Shirleynbun said:

Are you in hk? If yes u can apply international drivers license. When u land California, u have to make appt at dmv to do written test n road test. I used my international drivers license in the beginning as I need to go out for household goods shopping. 

 

On 12/15/2019 at 3:02 PM, Shirleynbun said:

Are you in hk? If yes u can apply international drivers license. When u land California, u have to make appt at dmv to do written test n road test. I used my international drivers license in the beginning as I need to go out for household goods shopping. 

Yes I'm in HK. Thanks!