when you get your California driver's license

[Tina and Johan 206]

when you get your California driver's license, do they take or invalidate the license you had from your home country? I know they do this when you go from state to state here in the US, but do they do this with ALL licenses? Or is your home license still valid when you return for a visit?

[Texasav8r 183]

This doesn't specifically answer your question, but if they do take it, like most states do, you can always get an international driving permit. You can get one at any AAA office for around $15.00 USD and they are good for a year. They are recognized in most countries around the world. I have driven in Italy, Germany, Russia and Ukraine with one and I am pretty sure all of the UK was on the list. You can check online to be sure.

[PabloGarcia 36]

California doesn't recognize the IDP. They won't take your foreign license either.

[Kiwinyc 62]

No, you get to keep your foreign license, they don't take it away from you. I still have my valid UK drivers license.

[Tina and Johan 206]

No, you get to keep your foreign license, they don't take it away from you. I still have my valid UK drivers license.

LOL looks like I"m buying dinner. I don't usually bet unless I"M SURE I'm right. His experience though: when he went from South Africa to the UK, they invalidated his SA license, and when he went from the UK to Ireland, they did the same. are you certain your UK license is still valid? (this all came up because his Irish license expires in a year, and he wants to renew it before coming over. I say it's a waste of money, but he says it'd then be valid for 10 years) did you change your address on your UK one? or is it as you left?

[Kiwinyc 62]

The UK will EXCHANGE an eligible foreign license for a UK one so you don't have to sit the tests again. It's straight swap. Here you have to do the testing again so there's no reason to take your other license(s) away.

But I think here in TX you're not supposed to carry a non-TX license at the same time as a TX one - I assume this is to stop you from producing it in order to get out of a ticket or something...?

My UK is definitely still valid. I just updated the address on it to another UK address I use for misc UK mail. (They cannot update it with an address outside the UK)

[Mrs O. 29]

I still have my valid Irish Driviers License. I wasn't asked to present it for invalidation when I got my CA Drivers License.

[JohnR! 5,495]

when you get your California driver's license, do they take or invalidate the license you had from your home country? I know they do this when you go from state to state here in the US, but do they do this with ALL licenses? Or is your home license still valid when you return for a visit?

They will not invalidate nor retain your EU driver's license. I also believe you will need to take the written and road test all over again, given the difference in rules of the road, etc. Having said that, if you were able to get a EU DL you should pass the California test with your eyes closed.

Good luck!

Edited May 19, 2014 by Gegel

[Tina and Johan 206]

Thank you everyone for your answers. I went to the DMV Monday and was told that yes, he can keep his Irish license, and will have to take a written and road test within a certain time frame.