California Driver's License

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Here's what the California DMV website says: http://dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.htm#BDLP

If you are a visitor in California over 18 and have a valid driver license from your home state or country, you may drive in this state without getting a California driver license as long as your home state license remains valid.

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.

Does the first part mean that I can use my Philippine driver's license while waiting for my green card or EAD? (My DL is valid until 2014)

I understand you are only considered a resident from the time you receive your GC.

Thanks for any advice on this.

[Jojo92122 1,924]

From the link you provided.

International Driving Permits

The State of California does not recognize an International Driving Permit (IDP) as a valid driver license. California does recognize a valid driver license that is issued by a foreign jurisdiction (country, state, territory) of which the license holder is a resident.

The IDP is only a translation of information contained on a person’s foreign driver license and is not required to operate a motor vehicle in California. Citations issued to a person in California who has an IDP, but does not have a California driver license will be placed on the Department of Motor Vehicle database.

The IDP is also called an International Driver License, International License, etc.

For more information about travel and driver licensing requirements outside of the US, visit the US State Department Road Safety Overseas website at: http://travel.state.gov/road_safety.html

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Your Philippine driver license is valid in California. As you have stated, you don't become a US resident until you get your green card. This means that you are still a Philippine resident.

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If you are a visitor in California over 18 and have a valid driver license from your home state or country, you may drive in this state without getting a California driver license as long as your home state license remains valid.

This apply to licensed drivers from the other US states. It does not apply to licensed drivers from other countries.

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Edited July 6, 2011 by Jojo92122

[Jojo92122 1,924]

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.

Once you get your green card, you become a US resident and a California resident. This mean you will no longer be a Philippine resident and your Philippine driver's license will no longer be valid for driving in California.

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Thanks for your reply. That's how I understood it.