Guide to getting a California Drivers license

[BokkieandGuapo 4]

Dear Members,

Having had the frustration of having to redo a license to drive I feel it would be helpful to other new members adjusting status to not make the same mistakes not only I but a fellow VJ'er have made.

Once you pass through a POE you have 90 days legal status, it is not feasible to try and apply for a license at this time unless you are really on the ball, because you only have 61 days to get a license, because the DMV will not issue a license if your I-94 has less than 30 days on it.

So you wait for your EAD or GC to arrive and want to take your written test.

Please note, when phoning the DMV to schedule a driving test it is for a WRITTEN TEST not a behind the wheel driving test. So you may either base an estimate of when your EAD or GC will be approved, normally the former and call for a WRITTEN test appointment or you can wake up really early and wait in line at your local DMV to take the test (after studying the handbook) It costs $31 and they need proof of legal residence (EAD will suffice) and Marriage certificate if you are a lady, as the license will be in your married name.

When you pass your license, you can either book a BEHIND THE WHEEL driving test online, or wait in line to get an appointment. Sometimes you will get an error message whilst trying to do it online. If this happens wait until 4 pm in the afternoon and arrive at the DMV they are normally quiet then and you can get in and out early. ( I do not advise doing this for the WRITTEN TEST as they stop testing at 4:30) Choose a DMV that is convenient but also less populated. This will help in getting an earlier appointment. Eg. I went this morning to Clairemont and only could get the 30 March for a behind the wheel test, but when I looked online at Chula Vista I got an appointment on the 22nd March.

I hope you don't get too frustrated with the process.

Good Luck