California Driver's License - ?? learner's permit instead of temporary

[mag2929 68]

hi guys, so I went to the DVM today to get my driver's license started, but the DMV people seemed confused over what codes to use to get me my paperwork. In the end, I ended up getting a paper that states that I require another driver over 18 to accompany me at all times/?? - essentially a learner's permit. I am pretty sure this is wrong. I know we have to do a driving test, which I will book, but I think it is wrong to give someone who has had a driving license for > 18 years a learner's permit. How am I going to get to work?

Do you guys think this is wrong or do all of you get "learner's permits" when you await your driving test?

help! M

[travelfairy 22]

I can't speak for California, but in Minnesota I needed to sit for a driving test before I could get a license. I obtained an international drivers' license before I moved over so that let me drive normally until I took it.

[caliboy15 1]

hi guys, so I went to the DVM today to get my driver's license started, but the DMV people seemed confused over what codes to use to get me my paperwork. In the end, I ended up getting a paper that states that I require another driver over 18 to accompany me at all times/?? - essentially a learner's permit. I am pretty sure this is wrong. I know we have to do a driving test, which I will book, but I think it is wrong to give someone who has had a driving license for > 18 years a learner's permit. How am I going to get to work?

Do you guys think this is wrong or do all of you get "learner's permits" when you await your driving test?

help! M

nope! that is right..

if it is your first time getting a license here in California. you have to start from permit

same thing happened to me and the rest of my family 8 years ago

[Boiler 45,537]

Similar in Colorado, not sure I remember the accompanied requirement, it was only a few days until I took the test so not really an issue.

I did not need an International Drivers Permit as my license was in English, presumably the issue with Australians is that it is upside down.

[caliboy15 1]

I believe you can drive using your home country's license for a month while waiting for the actual license here in California

[Boiler 45,537]

I thought it was 10 days?

[caliboy15 1]

Not sure how long

[gad33 47]

They issued you the wrong permit. As you already have a license issued in Canada you should have got a temporary permit. You'll have to brave the DMV and go back and get it reissued. Explain that you have a license issued in ....... you took the written test on ..... and you should be issued with a temporary permit.

This has happened to others who have had to get it changed.

You will still have to take a road test. I don't know how long the temporary license is valid for.

And just a reminder every state has different requirements regarding licences from other countries. Some states even have different requirements for different Canadian provinces.

[NikLR 13,227]

Similar in Colorado, not sure I remember the accompanied requirement, it was only a few days until I took the test so not really an issue.

I did not need an International Drivers Permit as my license was in English, presumably the issue with Australians is that it is upside down.

Irrelevant.

A Canadian licence in Colorado can be changed over as if from another state. No testing is needed.

Edited July 6, 2015 by NLR

[canuckinla 0]

hi guys, so I went to the DVM today to get my driver's license started, but the DMV people seemed confused over what codes to use to get me my paperwork. In the end, I ended up getting a paper that states that I require another driver over 18 to accompany me at all times/?? - essentially a learner's permit. I am pretty sure this is wrong. I know we have to do a driving test, which I will book, but I think it is wrong to give someone who has had a driving license for > 18 years a learner's permit. How am I going to get to work?

Do you guys think this is wrong or do all of you get "learner's permits" when you await your driving test?

help! M

I was a licensed driver in Ontario when I moved to California. I had to take the written test and the road test in California before a license was issued. It definitely wasn't a learner's permit. I was able to drive with my Ontario license until the CA license was issued. This was about 20 years ago. Not sure if laws have changed.

Edited July 9, 2015 by canuckinla

[Pitaya 2,577]

~Moved from Canada Regional Forum to Moving to the US and Your New Life in America Forum~

~Similar topics are often discussed at this forum~

[awkwardsoul 20]

You have to do the driving test again in California as per the California DMV since you are from another country.

If you have a license from another country, you will be required to take a driving test. If you have a license from another state, the driving test can be waived.

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/?1dmy&urile=wcm:path:/dmv_content_en/dmv/dl/dl_info#two500

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

hi guys, so I went to the DVM today to get my driver's license started, but the DMV people seemed confused over what codes to use to get me my paperwork. In the end, I ended up getting a paper that states that I require another driver over 18 to accompany me at all times/?? - essentially a learner's permit. I am pretty sure this is wrong. I know we have to do a driving test, which I will book, but I think it is wrong to give someone who has had a driving license for > 18 years a learner's permit. How am I going to get to work?

Do you guys think this is wrong or do all of you get "learner's permits" when you await your driving test?

help! M

Sorry for late response but that is definitely wrong. We moved to CA at the beginning of the year from overseas. After we wrote our written tests we got temporary driver permits which allowed us to drive unaccompanied until we could take the behind the wheel tests. Not the same thing as learners permits which as you say need a licensed driver with you. We had to have our temp permits plus overseas licenses with us in the car until we got our CA licenses.

Oh and.., my husband and I did our written tests at different DMV offices and both got the temporary driver permits. I don't think that's relevant but just thought I'd mention it

Edited July 12, 2015 by SusieQQQ

[AnGeLxX 154]

I know every state has different rules for ''people out of the country'' to get a US driver license. I had an appointment last Friday in Alabama for the learners permit ( written test) I passed it and I asked the lady if I could do the road test right now because I'm older than 18 or 21. And she said yes! So I did both in 1 hour and I passed it. But like other people said ''what happened with you sounds definitely wrong''. I know It's already 2 weeks ago..so maybe you already did something, I hope you figured it out!