license from another country in CA??

[sereia 0]

i tried looking at the CA DMV website and couldn't find the information i was looking for (and we're out of the country so its not feasible to call right now) but if you have a license either from another country OR an international driver's license... can you use it in california? and for how long? and which one (or both??)

thanks in advance!

[VisaJourneyLady 33]

This should be what your looking for:

California DMV info

If you are a visitor in California over 18 and have a valid driver license from your home state or country, you may drive in this state without getting a California driver license as long as your home state license remains valid.

If you take a job here or become a resident, you must get a California driver license within 10 days. Residency is established by voting in a California election, paying resident tuition, filing for a homeowner’s property tax exemption, or any other privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents.

Taken from here:

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.

For more information about travel and driver licensing requirements outside of the US, visit the US State Department Road Safety Overseas website at: http://travel.state.gov/road_safety.html

[Saddle Bronc 124]

There is in many states a loophole for temp worker visa holders where they can retain the foreign licence till expiry.

[sereia 0]

YES! I knew I could count on you guys for a great answer! Thanks! So I assume he isn't technically a "permanent resident" until he's got his green card and lived in CA for one year from that day?

Edited July 3, 2008 by sereia

[Saddle Bronc 124]

YES! I knew I could count on you guys for a great answer! Thanks! So I assume he isn't technically a "permanent resident" until he's got his green card and lived in CA for one year from that day?

USCIS counts petitioner as permanent resident from the earliest of:

• approval of AOS
• immigrant visa activation (if the visa was issued at a US embassy/consulate abroad)

[Saddle Bronc 124]

YES! I knew I could count on you guys for a great answer! Thanks! So I assume he isn't technically a "permanent resident" until he's got his green card and lived in CA for one year from that day?

USCIS counts petitioner as permanent resident from the earliest of:

• approval of AOS
• immigrant visa activation (if the visa was issued at a US embassy/consulate abroad)

[Puerco 0]

Ah, this thread looks to be exactly what I was looking for, the quote from the DMV site (below)

"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."

Had me confused, I think I brushed over it thinking that it wasn't applicable because I guess I was thinking of "physical" residency, as in where you sleep at night. ;-) I guess I failed at reading comprehension.

So, if I am understanding this thread correctly, even know my wife physically "resides" here in the USA and does not have a "residence" in her home country she is not yet a permanent resident here in the USA and is still currently, in this case, an Ecuadorian resident. Ay Carumba. At least now it is clear as mud. Ha!

So, just to clarify:

The quote refers to legal residence and not physical residence? Resident vs. Residence? That being the case it all makes perfect sense now. A clear case of seeing what we want to see, I had a preconceived notion in my mind that she couldn't drive on her license but it would appear that perhaps I was mistaken.

Puerco

[melusine 5]

i think i read somewhere it's valid for 10 days.

and be careful u r not visiting... so rules to visitors should not apply either i believe.

As soon as u get ur SSN, go get ur driving license... u might have to redo the writing test + the driving test but well... it's part of it

[VisaJourneyLady 33]

i think i read somewhere it's valid for 10 days.

and be careful u r not visiting... so rules to visitors should not apply either i believe.

As soon as u get ur SSN, go get ur driving license... u might have to redo the writing test + the driving test but well... it's part of it

You read it at the beginning of this very thread. It was a quote from the CA DMV website. Within 10 days of becomming resident, you must get a CA license. There are examples of actions that you would take which indicate that you have become resident there also.

Until such time as she becomes resident, she can drive on her home country's DL, if it's in another language, it's advisable she has an International Drivers Licence, which provides a translation. Once she takes a job, or has AOS approved, she has to get a CA DL withing 10 days.