Drivers liscence

[Maria and Jason 55]

Came from Quebec and moved to Florida.

No testing required. However I could not get a Florida Driver's license until I had a SSN.

[canada_socks 97]

All foriegn nationals who want a driver's license have to go through testing, unfortunately. After a year of driving in the UK (living there for a job I had) getting back to driving on the Right side of the road, instead of the proper-side, was a challenge for a few days. My wife is taking driving lessons here in TX and will test before month's end. She has a Ukrainian license, but that means very little...

Not true. I think that it is different for Canadians, and dependent on the State. I had just switched my Ontario license out for a Maryland license, though I am sure that some other states may require testing. Just not all.

[eeosuccess 19]

so 6 years experience on a full G, I would need to go back to impressing a driving instructor in California? that's weird......what about changing your license in another state in the US, before moving to Cali? would that work, please?

[Rob & Monika 87]

I don't think any state would do it if you provided a California address. Otherwise you will be paying 2 DMV fees. Are you afraid you will fail the tests? It looks like you need your SSN before you can apply in California.

[pro_star 52]

Hey don't worry eeosas, I'm in the same boat. I got my g almost ten years ago (moved to Alberta nine years ago), have a clean record and lots and lots of kms of time behind the wheel.

And yet. I'll still have to do the testing. It's the way it goes. Just spend some time practicing the things you don't do often (yep. Parallel parking comes to mind) and have your hunny pick you up one of those books - what's going to throw me is the thinking in feet/miles. Ugh!

And wait. Wait wait wait. No Cali license until you have your ssn? Yet they expect you to get your Cali license within 15 days of moving?

BWAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA how is that going to work? Well. I'll be the Albertan driver for a while I think!

[eeosuccess 19]

lol.........i am not afraid I will fail, just thinking back of how one will try to drive the exact speed limit again, parallel parking and the feet/miles things.

Pro Star, I guess, its just business for dmv in Cali, I will have to wait and get my ssn.

[NikLR 13,227]

You won't be able to get a license without an SSN and most states require EAD or green card (depending on the type of visa you travel down with.)

[pro_star 52]

http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSBRE99301I20131004?irpc=932

Depending on when you get down there....you may be able to get one without that pesky ssn.

So wow. I'll be a kept woman for a while AND have to get chauffeured around for a bit...since I'll be down there probably before that comes into effect.

....oh my word I may go bonkers.

[kc247 22]

Same thing here! Apparently you have to take a written test AND a road test! My brother is applying for his AOS as well (from a student visa) and he told me he went to he DMV and they told him that..so he is taking his this week. You have to have your EAD though so I can't for another 2-3 months or more! I have been driving the car..I am not sure on the laws..I can't not drive though, my husband goes to school and works all day long, I would rather not be a hermit in the apartment (though I already am most of the time!), I'll just play dumb if I get pulled over, or just hope I don't!

I agree though I have had my license since I was 16 yrs old..so 7 years or so, and haven't ever had an accident or anything close..I dread having to take another road test!

[NikLR 13,227]

Again, another benefit to CR1... no AOS to deal with.

[eeosuccess 19]

I just read on DMV California, that you can drive with your country's license for as long as it is valid, unlike in Toronto where you have just 90 days.

[Rob & Monika 87]

That is for nonresidents. California is within 10 days of becoming a resident. They grey area is at what point you are considered a resident. I know NY is very clear on this, the moment you enter the state with the intent to establish domicile there, that is the moment you are a resident. California appears to have the same rules, but it is not clearly spelled out. This is going to be one of those things where you won't have an issue unless you have a run in with the police and they feel that you should have transfered the license over. You have the excuse that you cannot apply until you have a SSN, so just apply for your SSN as soon as you can, which with a K-1 is as soon as you are in the gov't database as having entered the country.

[pro_star 52]

I also worry about insurance implications with that - in case anything does happen

[Rob & Monika 87]

State Farm just transfered the service to the US agent we were using, no hassles there. I don't even think the new drivers licence number was required right away. If you have another carrier that works in both countries, it might be just as easy.

[NikLR 13,227]

I was added to my husband's vehicle insurance as soon as we were married, I was still living in Canada.

I cannoy imagine you can be a resident of California without being an LPR of the USA first.

Op isnt moving to CA tho.

Edited March 24, 2014 by NLR