CA Drivers License and Language Issues - advice please!

[grinchus 11]

Hi VJers,

My fiance' will be moving to California at the beginning of January. I'm still confused from a recent thread here as to whether he needs to get on it and get a DL within 10 days or wait until he becomes a resident. I do hope it's the latter, and here's why: he doesn't know English well enough to take an exam yet! He is from Italy and does not speak any English. We plan to enroll him in classes as soon as we can after he gets here, but as far as taking an exam within 10 days? I don't really see that happening. Unless of course he studies from the Spanish study guide and takes his exam in Spanish (which, of course, is not Italian but at least it's closer than English!).

Does anyone here have any experience or advice regarding getting a DL and language issues? How did your SO manage it?

Thanks!

[anitacastillo 0]

My husband's primary language is Spanish. In CA that is one of the languages that the written test can be taken in - I don't think Italian is one of them. Also, there is an additional test of road signs, if the test is not taken in English, which they must pass and the info is not fully included in the regular DMV study book.

However, the practical(driving) part of the test is given in English. So we practiced directions (ie. go the corner and turn right) in English. Unfortunately, we did not practice "defroster" and he was asked where that was during the first test and the DMV man critized him for not knowing it, which them flustrated him for the driving test part.

If your husband already has an Italian driving license, he can drive under that for a while. But if stopped by the cops, don't say he has been in CA for very long -- they'll expect him to have a CA license and don't understand the immigration complications. (Mods - don't scold me for suggesting he lie)

Good Luck!!

[Mononoke28 135]

Your husband will have to wait until he gets at least his EAD card to get a DL in California and that can be anywhere from 3-6 months after you file for AOS. So you still have plenty of time to practice until he's ready to even take the written exam. Also, call the DMV office to find out if they may have a written exam in Italian, you never know.

Diana

Edited October 27, 2009 by Mononoke28

[Cerize 0]

Your husband will have to wait until he gets at least his EAD card to get a DL in California and that can be anywhere from 3-6 months after you file for AOS. So you still have plenty of time to practice until he's ready to even take the written exam. Also, call the DMV office to find out if they may have a written exam in Italian, you never know.

Diana

That is correct, and you also got to remember that the EAD is only valid for a year so, the DL will be valid only for one year from the date he applies for the DL, I took the written part test yesterday and passed. The test is on what the handbook says and if he has a chance he should read it and try to comprehend the content, I suggest a English/ Italian dictionary this way, the words he is unfamiliar with he can look it up and see what it means in Italian he can also make side notes on the handbook, this helped me with my test and I took it in English.

good luck and best of wishes

[grinchus 11]

Your husband will have to wait until he gets at least his EAD card to get a DL in California and that can be anywhere from 3-6 months after you file for AOS. So you still have plenty of time to practice until he's ready to even take the written exam. Also, call the DMV office to find out if they may have a written exam in Italian, you never know.

Diana

That is correct, and you also got to remember that the EAD is only valid for a year so, the DL will be valid only for one year from the date he applies for the DL, I took the written part test yesterday and passed. The test is on what the handbook says and if he has a chance he should read it and try to comprehend the content, I suggest a English/ Italian dictionary this way, the words he is unfamiliar with he can look it up and see what it means in Italian he can also make side notes on the handbook, this helped me with my test and I took it in English.

good luck and best of wishes

Phew! Nice to know we have a bit of time. Thanks everyone!

[Miranda&John 0]

Diana

That is correct, and you also got to remember that the EAD is only valid for a year so, the DL will be valid only for one year from the date he applies for the DL, I took the written part test yesterday and passed.

Sorry, I just want to clarify the process...

You take the written test, and then you have 1 year to take the driving test?

[lucyrich 20]

Sorry, I just want to clarify the process...

You take the written test, and then you have 1 year to take the driving test?

You take the written test, and that allows you to have a "learner's permit". The learner's permit allows you to drive with another licensed driver in the passenger car. It doesn't allow you to drive by yourself. After you get the learner's permit, you can practice driving with another person for up to a year. You can take the driving test whenever you feel you're ready. After you take the driving test, you are issued an actual driver's license that allows you to drive a car by yourself.

Also, I'll clarify a point about the original question: A foreign license can be used in California while the person is a temporary visitor maintaining their permanent residence out of the state (or out of the country). After the person starts living in California, they can continue the foreign license for only 10 days. After 10 days, they must stop driving in California, or else they must get a California license. This part of California law was written without regard to immigration law, and the definition of "residence" doesn't have anything to do with one's immigration status.

And as has been pointed out, you can't get a California license until you get EAD.

Combine those two, and it looks like there may be a gap period when you're not authorized to drive. That would be between the time your ten day "grace period" expires, and the time you get your actual California Drivers license, after EAD.

[Jasman0717 9]

Take a look at the DMV site: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/

California will only issue a license for as long as his visa or green card is valid for. If he is coming on a fiancé visa he could only be eligible to have a California driver's license for 90 days, the length of time the I-94 is valid for. Once the provisional card is issued he would be eligible for a 2 year license.

[Mononoke28 135]

Good news. According to the California DMV the written test is available in a ton of other languages besides English, Italian included:

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.htm#languages

Alternative methods for completing the driver license written examination

DMV offers alternative methods for completing the driver license written examination. The examination may be conducted:

* In a foreign language.

* In American Sign Language.

* By listening to a cassette tape rather than reading the material (audio).

* By having an examiner ask the questions (Person-to-person Examination).

It is advisable for an individual with special needs to discuss those needs with the local driver license supervisor to allow him or her to better assist the applicant.

Note: To allow you sufficient time for testing DMV will not be administering written or audio exams after 4:30 p.m.

Interpreter Services

The Department of Motor Vehicles provides interpreters, including American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters, at no cost to the customer.

If you need an interpreter, please let one of our staff know and an appointment will be scheduled for when a foreign language or an ASL interpreter is available. Appointments may also be scheduled during regular business hours by calling 1-800-777-0133 and indicating foreign language assistance is needed. For the California Relay Telephone Service from TDD phones, call 1-800-735-2929 or, from voice phones, call 1-800-735-2922 for assistance in contacting DMV and making arrangements for an ASL interpreter.

What other languages is the written or audio test available in?

Besides English, the basic Class C written driver license exam is also available in the following languages:

Amharic, Arabic, Armenian, Cambodian, Chinese, Croatian, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hmong, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Persian/Farsi, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, Samoan, Spanish, Tagalog/Filipino, Thai, Tongan, Turkish, and Vietnamese.

Besides English, the basic Class C audio driver license exam is also available in the following languages:

Armenian, Chinese/Mandarin, Hindi, Hmong, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese

Note: To allow you sufficient time for testing DMV will not be administering written or audio exams after 4:30 p.m.

Diana

[big al 0]

I took the test in German and passed it! I'm pretty sure they have Italian too! Good luck!

[TchauEUA 0]

Great, they have the audio test in Portuguese too! Just got EAD card so my husband is anxious to finally get his DL.

BIG AL,

did you have to make special arrangements for the audio test, let the person know when you set up your appointment? Thanks!

[SuperDuper! 230]

Take a look at the DMV site: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/

California will only issue a license for as long as his visa or green card is valid for. If he is coming on a fiancé visa he could only be eligible to have a California driver's license for 90 days, the length of time the I-94 is valid for. Once the provisional card is issued he would be eligible for a 2 year license.

Isn't it also true that the immigrant has to have a minimum of 60 days left on the I-94 to be able to get a CA ID that will only be valid for the remainder of the I-94? Some folks like to get the CA ID so they can open dual accts during that period.

[grinchus 11]

What other languages is the written or audio test available in?

Besides English, the basic Class C written driver license exam is also available in the following languages:

Amharic, Arabic, Armenian, Cambodian, Chinese, Croatian, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hmong, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Persian/Farsi, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, Samoan, Spanish, Tagalog/Filipino, Thai, Tongan, Turkish, and Vietnamese.

Besides English, the basic Class C audio driver license exam is also available in the following languages:

Armenian, Chinese/Mandarin, Hindi, Hmong, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese

Good to know...thanks!!!!!