Driver's license California

[Ruth1_16-17 0]

Hi! I'll be moving to California next month and I was wondering how soon I could apply for a Driver's Permit. I am on IR-1 visa and I imagine it will take some time before my SSN gets mailed to me. I also have a driver's license here in the Philippines, will that be of any use in California?

[payxibka 10,047]

Hi! I'll be moving to California next month and I was wondering how soon I could apply for a Driver's Permit. I am on IR-1 visa and I imagine it will take some time before my SSN gets mailed to me. I also have a driver's license here in the Philippines, will that be of any use in California?

after entry your IR-1 visa is no longer valid (single use), however, you are immediately deemed a legal resident... legal residents are able to get a DL....

[Ruth1_16-17 0]

Oh! So I can just immediately go there and apply for one and just show my visa/passport?

I am guessing I would have to start from scratch -- take the written test, get a student driver's permit then take the driving skills test, right? I was checking out the DMV California website and was a bit disappointed to find out that I could not drive with my Philippine license (as opposed to non US residents i.e., tourists). That means I'd have to wait for my husband to drive me around! Hahaha--- I'm not used to being so dependent!

[payxibka 10,047]

Oh! So I can just immediately go there and apply for one and just show my visa/passport?

I am guessing I would have to start from scratch -- take the written test, get a student driver's permit then take the driving skills test, right? I was checking out the DMV California website and was a bit disappointed to find out that I could not drive with my Philippine license (as opposed to non US residents i.e., tourists). That means I'd have to wait for my husband to drive me around! Hahaha--- I'm not used to being so dependent!

well you need to provide the proper documentation... they should list what they accept... as an immigrant, what you receive at the POE is the I-551 stamp at entry... You will (or should) receive the actual I-551 (green card) a few weeks after arrival

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Hi! I'll be moving to California next month and I was wondering how soon I could apply for a Driver's Permit. I am on IR-1 visa and I imagine it will take some time before my SSN gets mailed to me. I also have a driver's license here in the Philippines, will that be of any use in California?

California requires a legal presence document, and will issue the license for the term of the legal presence document. It takes about 2 months for California to process an Alien's drivers license. EAD or Permanent Residence card are acceptable as legal presence documents.

[DEDixon 39]

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...=183156&hl=

[Jose Rizal 1]

You need your SSN. I was told to come back with my SSN when I first applied for a Cali DL. Also, your green card is not proof of address but rather proof of identity. I was asked for mail adressed to me. Your welcome letter, green card letter or SSN card would suffice.

[meowmeowmeow 1]

Do you still have to give your thumbprint to get your ID at the DMV? That used to really irritate me...Ive only noticed that in Cali

[sj5 4]

Oh! So I can just immediately go there and apply for one and just show my visa/passport?

I am guessing I would have to start from scratch -- take the written test, get a student driver's permit then take the driving skills test, right? I was checking out the DMV California website and was a bit disappointed to find out that I could not drive with my Philippine license (as opposed to non US residents i.e., tourists). That means I'd have to wait for my husband to drive me around! Hahaha--- I'm not used to being so dependent!

Yes, you have to take Written Test to obtain a permit to drive then take your Driving Test.

I'll stay off the road.

Edited March 21, 2009 by sj5

[Jose Rizal 1]

Do you still have to give your thumbprint to get your ID at the DMV? That used to really irritate me...Ive only noticed that in Cali

Can't recall doing that when I got my Cali DL. But during these times, I wouldn't be surprised.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Do you still have to give your thumbprint to get your ID at the DMV? That used to really irritate me...Ive only noticed that in Cali

Can't recall doing that when I got my Cali DL. But during these times, I wouldn't be surprised.

Yep. You still need your thumbprint.

[alice27 0]

Oh! So I can just immediately go there and apply for one and just show my visa/passport?

I am guessing I would have to start from scratch -- take the written test, get a student driver's permit then take the driving skills test, right? I was checking out the DMV California website and was a bit disappointed to find out that I could not drive with my Philippine license (as opposed to non US residents i.e., tourists). That means I'd have to wait for my husband to drive me around! Hahaha--- I'm not used to being so dependent!

You have to get an SSN first and then apply for DL. And yes, you will have to start from the very start.

I got a DL back in PI as well and l was being sort of "showing off" just to find out it didn't mean anything

over here. So l took a written test, passed, and got a sched for my driving test, and would you believe it????

after 4yrs of driving around metro manila l FAILED! yes l did! it's just different here buddy, so if you wanna

have you DL soon l suggest to do a lot of practice on the road here cause its sooo much different.

after failing my first behind the wheel test l rescheduled my second test in two weeks time.

And from that day forward l spent most of my life practicing driving. And now l have my California DL. yiii

So good luck to you.

Edited March 25, 2009 by alice27

[meowmeowmeow 1]

Do you still have to give your thumbprint to get your ID at the DMV? That used to really irritate me...Ive only noticed that in Cali

Can't recall doing that when I got my Cali DL. But during these times, I wouldn't be surprised.

The San Diego DMV offices didn't have them as far as I remember, last time I went in was in 2006. I encountered the thumbprint thing in Fresno....anyways, CA is one of the easiest places to get a license, gotta luv it

[Jose Rizal 1]

Oh! So I can just immediately go there and apply for one and just show my visa/passport?

I am guessing I would have to start from scratch -- take the written test, get a student driver's permit then take the driving skills test, right? I was checking out the DMV California website and was a bit disappointed to find out that I could not drive with my Philippine license (as opposed to non US residents i.e., tourists). That means I'd have to wait for my husband to drive me around! Hahaha--- I'm not used to being so dependent!

You have to get an SSN first and then apply for DL. And yes, you will have to start from the very start.

I got a DL back in PI as well and l was being sort of "showing off" just to find out it didn't mean anything

over here. So l took a written test, passed, and got a sched for my driving test, and would you believe it????

after 4yrs of driving around metro manila l FAILED! yes l did! it's just different here buddy, so if you wanna

have you DL soon l suggest to do a lot of practice on the road here cause its sooo much different.

after failing my first behind the wheel test l rescheduled my second test in two weeks time.

And from that day forward l spent most of my life practicing driving. And now l have my California DL. yiii

So good luck to you.

Driving rules are different in each country. Being able to drive in your home country doesn't necessarily mean you can automatically pass the behind the wheel test here. BTW, I also failed my exam.

[Creel 0]

Just FYI

New Residents

When you make your home here or take a job and you want to drive in California, you must apply for a California driver license within 10 days.

My husband got a ticket, even though he had an International Drivers License. They said he was living here so he had to have it. I was going to fight it in court, that since he was waiting on his AOS he wasn't really a resident since he hadn't given up his home in Albania yet. The officer didn't show up to court so I don't know how it would of went. They are pretty serious about it. The officer was nice enough not to tow the car since my husband actually had him talk to me on the cell phone and I explained how I had researched the law and my reasonings, but my husband had to walk home and I had to go get his car later.

They do offer the test in lots of languages and they allowed my husband to bring an interpreter since DMV was unable to provide him one. You need your SS# and proff of legal presence. I think you need to have at least 60 days left or they won't issue the license and it expires when your proof of residence does.