Driver's license reciprocity

[amysaid 9]

This is an interesting issue... and a confusing one. Does it vary from state to state whether you have to have a SSN to get a license?

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Either way USA-wide you can drive on a license with an international translation up until your eligible to get a US one.

Not true in every state. California doesn't recognize an international translation as a valid driver's license. However, they will recognize the original license, providing it is valid and the driver is still a resident of the country in which it was issued. If the driver has taken up residence in California, then the foreign license is no longer recognized, and the driver has to get a California license. New residents have 10 days to get a California license in order to continue driving in California. I would imagine other states have similar requirements about residency.

Thanks for regurgitating pretty much exactly what I said. In California for instance you need the translation with your valid license. After all not every CHP can read Kanji. Likewise your only eligible once residency is proven (typically at EAD). Sorry to be short with you Jim but when you say "not true in every state" then go on to pretty much repeat what i've said it sounds a bit dumb.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

I should add that the 10 days does not apply to someone who has recently entered and is Adjusting. California will only acknowledge residency once an EAD has been received. Until then they can drive on the foreign license.

Amy,

Every state is different regarding SSN & EAD. I've looked up Oregon and it looks like they require the I797 or EAD with no mention of SSN.

Edited August 25, 2009 by lancer1655

[amysaid 9]

I should add that the 10 days does not apply to someone who has recently entered and is Adjusting. California will only acknowledge residency once an EAD has been received. Until then they can drive on the foreign license.

Amy,

Every state is different regarding SSN & EAD. I've looked up Oregon and it looks like they require the I797 or EAD with no mention of SSN.

Thanks!

[Perry/Elena 0]

Found this interesting as my girl will becoming soon as well... I went to the MN site and they had a link to this one for foreign Visitors to learn US driving rules.

http://www.americadrives.com/

NOTE: After posting this... I realize I was not on the ACTUAL MN DMV site... so may not be a great site after all... do not have any personal experience with this website.

Edited August 26, 2009 by Perry/Elena

[lucyrich 20]

Either way USA-wide you can drive on a license with an international translation up until your eligible to get a US one.

Not true in every state. California doesn't recognize an international translation as a valid driver's license. However, they will recognize the original license, providing it is valid and the driver is still a resident of the country in which it was issued. If the driver has taken up residence in California, then the foreign license is no longer recognized, and the driver has to get a California license. New residents have 10 days to get a California license in order to continue driving in California. I would imagine other states have similar requirements about residency.

Thanks for regurgitating pretty much exactly what I said. In California for instance you need the translation with your valid license. After all not every CHP can read Kanji. Likewise your only eligible once residency is proven (typically at EAD). Sorry to be short with you Jim but when you say "not true in every state" then go on to pretty much repeat what i've said it sounds a bit dumb.

What he said was very different than what you said. You said "you can drive on a license with an international translation up until your eligible to get a US one." The correct law in California is that you can drive on a foreign license up until ten days after you take up residence in California. Taking up residence in California for the purpose of the vehicle code has nothing to do with your legal immigration status. It basically means obtaining a place to live. Because of the California laws regarding proof of legal presence requirements for obtaining drivers licenses, many immigrants will not be eligible to get a California license ten days after they find a place to live. So there will often be a gap when the person is ineligible to get a California license, and ineligible to use a foreign license. If the alien drives during that time, he can be charged with a crime.

Having said that, I think that other states have more lenient policies than California. I don't know of any state that has a shorter "grace period" than California's ten days, and many have longer ones.

See here for a thread regarding the criminal charges that can happen if you continue driving on a foreign license in California while waiting until you're eligible to get a California one.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=196639

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Either way USA-wide you can drive on a license with an international translation up until your eligible to get a US one.

Not true in every state. California doesn't recognize an international translation as a valid driver's license. However, they will recognize the original license, providing it is valid and the driver is still a resident of the country in which it was issued. If the driver has taken up residence in California, then the foreign license is no longer recognized, and the driver has to get a California license. New residents have 10 days to get a California license in order to continue driving in California. I would imagine other states have similar requirements about residency.

Thanks for regurgitating pretty much exactly what I said. In California for instance you need the translation with your valid license. After all not every CHP can read Kanji. Likewise your only eligible once residency is proven (typically at EAD). Sorry to be short with you Jim but when you say "not true in every state" then go on to pretty much repeat what i've said it sounds a bit dumb.

What he said was very different than what you said. You said "you can drive on a license with an international translation up until your eligible to get a US one." The correct law in California is that you can drive on a foreign license up until ten days after you take up residence in California. Taking up residence in California for the purpose of the vehicle code has nothing to do with your legal immigration status. It basically means obtaining a place to live. Because of the California laws regarding proof of legal presence requirements for obtaining drivers licenses, many immigrants will not be eligible to get a California license ten days after they find a place to live. So there will often be a gap when the person is ineligible to get a California license, and ineligible to use a foreign license. If the alien drives during that time, he can be charged with a crime.

Having said that, I think that other states have more lenient policies than California. I don't know of any state that has a shorter "grace period" than California's ten days, and many have longer ones.

See here for a thread regarding the criminal charges that can happen if you continue driving on a foreign license in California while waiting until you're eligible to get a California one.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=196639

Definitely not true. We checked with the DMV for my wife and they clearly stated that the Foreign License is valid until such time as an EAD is acquired.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Either way USA-wide you can drive on a license with an international translation up until your eligible to get a US one.

Not true in every state. California doesn't recognize an international translation as a valid driver's license. However, they will recognize the original license, providing it is valid and the driver is still a resident of the country in which it was issued. If the driver has taken up residence in California, then the foreign license is no longer recognized, and the driver has to get a California license. New residents have 10 days to get a California license in order to continue driving in California. I would imagine other states have similar requirements about residency.

Thanks for regurgitating pretty much exactly what I said. In California for instance you need the translation with your valid license. After all not every CHP can read Kanji. Likewise your only eligible once residency is proven (typically at EAD). Sorry to be short with you Jim but when you say "not true in every state" then go on to pretty much repeat what i've said it sounds a bit dumb.

What he said was very different than what you said. You said "you can drive on a license with an international translation up until your eligible to get a US one." The correct law in California is that you can drive on a foreign license up until ten days after you take up residence in California. Taking up residence in California for the purpose of the vehicle code has nothing to do with your legal immigration status. It basically means obtaining a place to live. Because of the California laws regarding proof of legal presence requirements for obtaining drivers licenses, many immigrants will not be eligible to get a California license ten days after they find a place to live. So there will often be a gap when the person is ineligible to get a California license, and ineligible to use a foreign license. If the alien drives during that time, he can be charged with a crime.

Having said that, I think that other states have more lenient policies than California. I don't know of any state that has a shorter "grace period" than California's ten days, and many have longer ones.

See here for a thread regarding the criminal charges that can happen if you continue driving on a foreign license in California while waiting until you're eligible to get a California one.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=196639

Definitely not true. We checked with the DMV for my wife and they clearly stated that the Foreign License is valid until such time as an EAD is acquired.

Just because the police aren't aware of immigration laws does not make it illegal. With the logic that cop was using in the thread you posted staying in a hotel for 11 days means your a resident.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Sorry for some reason the edit function isn't working today....I just wanted to add that I feel sorry the woman in that thread but she was definitely pressured when she did nothing illegal...and that person who recommended that you give your foreign address as to where you live was definitely correct...because its technically accurate until the I485 is approved.

Edited August 26, 2009 by lancer1655

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

I'm also a member of a Highway Patrol forum I'll ask their opinions on this....but it sounds like even if the DMV tells you its okay you better get it in writing to be safe.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Okay so what I heard back was that technically the gap does it exist but when confronted by an officer do not divulge incriminating information...if you answer truthfully with basic answers (such as your foreign home address) you will be fine (only answer the question at hand with simple straight forward answers...don't ramble). I was also wrong in that a SSN is all that is needed in California so this "gap" period only has to be about 4 days or so.

Edited August 27, 2009 by lancer1655