DL in California

[UnaMexicana 153]

Just wondering... How soon can I take the driving test in California upon arriving as an IR1?

Do I need to wait until the greencard is received or can I do this with Mexican passport and SSN?

Also... Is there any window where I can drive with my Mexican license and passport? I did that when I was a tourist. Is that a No No once you enter as resident?

Thanks

UnaMexicana

[newacct 688]

Just wondering... How soon can I take the driving test in California upon arriving as an IR1?

Do I need to wait until the greencard is received or can I do this with Mexican passport and SSN?

Immediately. You are a permanent resident immediately upon entering, and the immigrant visa automatically turns into an I-551 (green card).

Also... Is there any window where I can drive with my Mexican license and passport? I did that when I was a tourist. Is that a No No once you enter as resident?

A "resident" of California is not allowed to drive without a California driver's license after 10 days.

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

A "resident" of California is not allowed to drive without a California driver's license after 10 days.

Except it's just about impossible to get an appointment for a driving test that soon. We drove with our home country licenses for a couple of months and kept confirmation of appointments for the tests with us in case we got stopped, though we never were.

[HollywoodNorth 22]

Except it's just about impossible to get an appointment for a driving test that soon. We drove with our home country licenses for a couple of months and kept confirmation of appointments for the tests with us in case we got stopped, though we never were.

Just get a test as soon as possible. I rarely saw the 10 day limit being enforced as long as you get the license/permit in a reasonable amount of time. Try different DMV locations if possible to get a earlier test/permit date.

For vehicle related DMV issues, it is worthwhile to get a Southern California AAA club membership, anything vehicle related to the DMV [plates, registration, sales, etc] can be done at a AAA office instead of the DMV and generally its quicker/nicer. All license/testing related tasks still has to be done at the DMV though. AAA doesn't touch those.

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

Try different DMV locations if possible to get a earlier test/permit date.

You can do this online, rather painfully, but we had a very helpful DMV guy (yes, I did say that!) at the call center who checked all the local DMVs for us to see which ones had the earliest dates. Interestingly, the ones that could do the written test earliest were not always the same ones who could do the behind-the-wheel test earliest.

[UnaMexicana 153]

You guys are all so helpful, thank you very much!!!