confiscation of foreign driver's license?

[Savroula 0]

Hi all!

My husband is applying for a CA driver's license, but he's worried that they might take his Greek license away and invalidate it, like they will do with my license, since we moved here from my home state of Oregon. Does anyone know if they invalidate foreign licenses in California?

Thanks!!!!

Sarah and Nick

[justashooter 430]

prolly not. they don't invalidate foreign liscenses in penna.

they do invalidate liscenses from other states because it is generally illegal to have liscense from more than 1 state. if you had from more than 1 state it would be easy to rack up offenses on the various liscenses without losing right to drive. 20 years ago lots of people were doing this, but the digital age has brought an end to the practice.

[littlecrazyangel 1]

Don't worry.They are not going to take his Greek licence.

[Ontarkie 14,506]

They took my Canadian DL here, there have been others who had to surrender there too. We can't say for sure what they will do. Some places do some don't.

Edited May 4, 2010 by Ontarkie

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Confiscating the property of another nation is theft, a crime. The Greek license is property of Greece. It's different with the license of any State of the Union, but an absolute no-no with property of a sovereign nation. For that very reason no US authority can keep or even invalidate an foreign passport, not even at naturalization.

If a DMV employee had taken my Canadian Driver license, I would have filed a complaint with the manager 5 minutes later and press for criminal charges about an hour later. Bye, bye to the dumb-as-sh*t DMV drone . . .

Edited May 4, 2010 by Just Bob

[trailmix 77]

Yeah just depends how big a fuss you want to make I suppose.

When my Husband got his Florida driver's license they cut the corner off his Alberta license to invalidate it.

On the flipside - to get an Alberta license you must surrender your foreign license.

[NotworkSte 19]

Florida (Tampa) they gave me my UK license back intact after they issued me the state one. Same for my friend who was also taking his test (also from UK).

[alex and astrid 38]

I won't be handing over my Australia licence to the CA DMV. As far as they are concerned, I am over 18 so it doesn't matter if I have a licence from another country or not.

[Savroula 0]

Thanks you guys! They gave my husband his license back as well! What a relief!!

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Since they don't transfer an out of country driver license, there is really no need to show it to any DMV drone. This way one can avoid potential problems before they become such.

[trailmix 77]

Florida (Tampa) they gave me my UK license back intact after they issued me the state one. Same for my friend who was also taking his test (also from UK).

Yes, all depends on the office, or more specifically the person at the counter that day.

[Marilyn. 340]

Since they don't transfer an out of country driver license, there is really no need to show it to any DMV drone. This way one can avoid potential problems before they become such.

actaully this is not true.. some states will exchange your Canadian license for the US one without taking any tests... at least this is what I have heard happens ...

in the CA DMV handbook it says they take your license but they didn't take mine.. they looked at it but gave it back to me...

[VanessaTony 3,567]

It is only SUPPOSED to be when you are a US citizen (this question was asked a while back) because as an LPR, you haven't "given up your rights to your home country" (even though you technically you haven't, it is "seen" as you having done that) and therefore can keep your information from there. kinda like how the US wouldn't take my Aussie passport because Australia would be awfully shitty I think if they started doing that.

As Just Bob said, there will definitely be no "taking" of my Aussie licence. It is the property of Australia and the US government has no rights to it, as well as not having the right to damage it.

That said, if you ever are concerned, first find out whether having another countries licence is even pertinent to you getting one, if it's not, leave it at home. If it is, then first call your home country and find out how much it would be to replace a "lost" or "stolen" licence as it might just be easier to get it replaced when you next visit "home" rather than argue the point. Also, when attending the DMV, ask the question, "As my Australian licence is the property of Australia, and as I am an LPR and not a US citizen and therefore am not seen to have given up my rights to my home country, what are your plans in regards to my Australian licence?" (obviously inserting your country in there). If they tell you they "need" to cut it, ask them to show you where in their rules it says it. Where it SPECIFICALLY mentions "out of COUNTRY" not out of state licences are to be "voided". I think some DMV "drones" just don't realise the difference. If they intend to keep it or damage it I would speak with a supervisor. If the supervisor still maintains they will damage or take it, ask to speak to boss after boss until eventually someone knows their ####### from their elbow.

[AusCal 3]

there will definitely be no "taking" of my Aussie licence. It is the property of Australia and the US government has no rights to it, as well as not having the right to damage it.

yeah!

When I applied for my CA DL, I don't recall ever being asked if I had a foreign license. There may be have been a question about whether I held anothe "US" drivers license.I applied for my learners permit, did the written exam - then scheduled for a driving test a few days later. I actually drove myself (alone)to the DMV to take the test for my DL - not that "they" knew that. I was worried about how bad I would feel if I failed my DL test after having held an Aussie license for 15 years or so. The instructor, from her comments, seemed aware I had been driving for a while.

Though, Vanessa, I will admit that having been here in the US for nearly 10 years now, paying the Aussie renewal is starting to feel an unnecessary expense. I do have vague recollectino about reading something where if you arenot an Australian resident you should surrender your Aussie license - heard anything about that?

[LiLMermaid 2]

I went to get my Florida license last week and they were going to keep my Canadian license. I asked for it back but he cut the corner of it. I asked why he did that and he said if I wanted to keep both that I would have to take all the Florida drivers tests first. WTH? Total BS but I didn't bother to make a fuss about it.