California driving license or International driving permit?

[BrilliantBrunette 0]

Hello everyone,

My CR-1 visa interview is in June, so if all goes well I will be moving to California soon. I have been trying to find out whether I need to get a California driving license immediately (since I´ll be a California resident) or if I should get an International driving permit?

I went to the DMV´s website and found information on everything BUT this. I mentioned calling the DMV to my husband, but he said it´s pointless as you´ll be on hold forever and people are incredibly rude.

Can anyone answer this question for me?

XO

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

California requires you to have a CA lic almost immediately. A couple of years ago a VJ member found that out the expensive way.

[Marilyn. 340]

i think you have 10 days... you will have to take the eye exam, the written test and the driving test to get a Cali DL...

If you become a California resident, you must get a California driver license within 10 days. Residency is established by voting in a California election, paying resident tuition, filing for a homeowner’s property tax exemption, or any other privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents.

http://dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.htm#two500

[BrilliantBrunette 0]

i think you have 10 days... you will have to take the eye exam, the written test and the driving test to get a Cali DL...

http://dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.htm#two500

thanks guys!

So that means I can drive with my Austrian licence for 10 days, and then I can´t drive until I get my California licence. And for that I need the I-94 (which I get at POE) PLUS the SSN (which I get in the mail within like 2 weeks after arrival in the US?)

Is this correct?

I guess an international driving permit would not be helpful at all then.

[Marilyn. 340]

thanks guys!

So that means I can drive with my Austrian licence for 10 days, and then I can´t drive until I get my California licence. And for that I need the I-94 (which I get at POE) PLUS the SSN (which I get in the mail within like 2 weeks after arrival in the US?)

Is this correct?

I guess an international driving permit would not be helpful at all then.

not sure if you get a I-94 if you are using the Cr-1 visa.. but you will get a stamp in your passport that acts as your temporary green card ..

but yeah you will need the SSN before you can apply for a DL...

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

thanks guys!

So that means I can drive with my Austrian licence for 10 days, and then I can´t drive until I get my California licence. And for that I need the I-94 (which I get at POE) PLUS the SSN (which I get in the mail within like 2 weeks after arrival in the US?)

Is this correct?

I guess an international driving permit would not be helpful at all then.

Your Austrian license during those 10 days will be fine

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

You need to get a California driver license as soon as you become a resident. If you enter the US with a CR-1, you are a resident immediately. Lucky you, because other people have lots of problems with the California DMV and other states' motor vehicle departments.

Don't even bother showing your Austrian license, as the DMV is full of nearly brain-dead people who have no clue about anything, not even their job. Don't risk that they illegally take away your Austrian license, which would cause you to apply for another one the next time you are in Austria. Just apply for a CDL like somebody who never had a license. You'll need 15 minutes to study the materials and as a licensed driver you need to recall that you turn your head every time you change directions, whether it's a lane change or a turn, in order to pass the driving test. It's so easy, a caveman can do it.

[BrilliantBrunette 0]

You need to get a California driver license as soon as you become a resident. If you enter the US with a CR-1, you are a resident immediately. Lucky you, because other people have lots of problems with the California DMV and other states' motor vehicle departments.

Don't even bother showing your Austrian license, as the DMV is full of nearly brain-dead people who have no clue about anything, not even their job. Don't risk that they illegally take away your Austrian license, which would cause you to apply for another one the next time you are in Austria. Just apply for a CDL like somebody who never had a license. You'll need 15 minutes to study the materials and as a licensed driver you need to recall that you turn your head every time you change directions, whether it's a lane change or a turn, in order to pass the driving test. It's so easy, a caveman can do it.

Thank you so much!!!