Driving License Query

[janamaria 0]

Hey all!

Thanks for everyone's help so far, you guys are the best!

I was just thinking ahead and wondering if someone could clarify something for me. I am a USC petitioning for my husband to get a US visa (via DCF). Once we are approved and living in California (if all goes to plan!!!) what does my husband need to do about a driving license? He has a UK licence which he has driven on in California as a tourist before when renting a car. I have googled it and I can't get a straight answer about whether or not he needs to get a CA license and if so, when? Can he drive on his UK license for a while or does it need to be immediate? Also what is the process of sorting a US license? Does he need to do a US drivers test? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Jana

[Jack2107 46]

Hi Jana

Unfortunately even though he is allowed to drive on US roads as a tourist with his uk licence, the DMV have a ridiculous law that makes new residents with foreign licences retake the test from scratch.

[janamaria 0]

Thanks for the answer Jack! That's crazy!! So we can't even use the UK license while we wait to take the new test? Is there any kind of leniency there?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Thanks for the answer Jack! That's crazy!! So we can't even use the UK license while we wait to take the new test? Is there any kind of leniency there?

All driving laws are state issues so you have to look up California DMV. When you said "US driving test", it is more specifically a "California driving test". Most states will have some law that says you must get a state license within X days of becoming resident in the state. Before that, using the UK license would be acceptable.

[janamaria 0]

All driving laws are state issues so you have to look up California DMV. When you said "US driving test", it is more specifically a "California driving test". Most states will have some law that says you must get a state license within X days of becoming resident in the state. Before that, using the UK license would be acceptable.

Thanks so much for replying! Do you know where the best place to find that information? I find the US governmental really hard to find information on!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Thanks so much for replying! Do you know where the best place to find that information? I find the US governmental really hard to find information on!

One thing to comprehend is the individual states have their own separate powers and laws. So there is state law for your state of residence and federal law that applies to all. Immigration is federal law. So is paying US income tax.

States are in charge of deciding law on things like marriage/divorce, driving, education, building highways, banking, welfare, sales tax, and state income tax. There is some overlap when the federal government steps in and says everybody needs to align with the Feds on some issues. Examples- same sex marriages. Some states allowed it. Others didn't. The Federal government has dictated that it must be legal in all states. Decades ago it was integration allowing black students to attend school with white students.

But where the Feds have not stepped in with mandates, the individual states still decide how to get a marriage license or driver license, how teachers get certified, educational curriculum, some taxes, etc. I don't have a state income tax in Texas, but you will in CA. Alaska is one of about 4-5 states that have no sales tax on purchases. So figuring out many things will require you to see how it is done in CA.

Start here to read about driving in CA. There are a lot of links to look at https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/dmv/dl

[janamaria 0]

One thing to comprehend is the individual states have their own separate powers and laws. So there is state law for your state of residence and federal law that applies to all. Immigration is federal law. So is paying US income tax.

States are in charge of deciding law on things like marriage/divorce, driving, education, building highways, banking, welfare, sales tax, and state income tax. There is some overlap when the federal government steps in and says everybody needs to align with the Feds on some issues. Examples- same sex marriages. Some states allowed it. Others didn't. The Federal government has dictated that it must be legal in all states. Decades ago it was integration allowing black students to attend school with white students.

But where the Feds have not stepped in with mandates, the individual states still decide how to get a marriage license or driver license, how teachers get certified, educational curriculum, some taxes, etc. I don't have a state income tax in Texas, but you will in CA. Alaska is one of about 4-5 states that have no sales tax on purchases. So figuring out many things will require you to see how it is done in CA.

Start here to read about driving in CA. There are a lot of links to look at https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/dmv/dl

Thank you so much for the detailed replied! From my basic research it seems like within 10 days of establishing residence my husband would have to get a CA license. This seems crazy!! Does he have to take lessons or can he just take the test? Is there something (like a learners permit) he could get to drive in the meantime? Also, what counts as establishing residence? Does he need to get a SSN number first? We are staying with relatives when first there and will opening a bank account before we go, would that be enough that that counts as residence? Sorry to bombard you with questions!!

[Marrienne 113]

I am running into the same issue coming from Europe (Greece).
He will have to take the written and driving test from scratch. The good news is him (and me) having a license proves driving expertise so we will not to have any actual driving lessons.

The US does have a treaty with some countries one of which is Germany, under which you can just exchange your license for a local one, no questions asked. My USC did this when he moved to Germany. The UK and Greece unfortunately do not such a treaty, we need to take the tests

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Thank you so much for the detailed replied! From my basic research it seems like within 10 days of establishing residence my husband would have to get a CA license. This seems crazy!! Does he have to take lessons or can he just take the test? Is there something (like a learners permit) he could get to drive in the meantime? Also, what counts as establishing residence? Does he need to get a SSN number first? We are staying with relatives when first there and will opening a bank account before we go, would that be enough that that counts as residence? Sorry to bombard you with questions!!

This page answers many of your questions. Just keep reading. https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/dl/dl_info#two500

Yes a SSN is required.

[janamaria 0]

I am running into the same issue coming from Europe (Greece).

He will have to take the written and driving test from scratch. The good news is him (and me) having a license proves driving expertise so we will not to have any actual driving lessons.

The US does have a treaty with some countries one of which is Germany, under which you can just exchange your license for a local one, no questions asked. My USC did this when he moved to Germany. The UK and Greece unfortunately do not such a treaty, we need to take the tests

Thank you so much for replying Marrienne! It is good to hear from someone in a similar situation. I can't believe how stupid it is! I guess he will just have to try and sort his test within 10 days of getting his green card then (that is what it is for California) How annoying! Wish I was German...

Good luck with your visa journey

[janamaria 0]

This page answers many of your questions. Just keep reading. https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/dl/dl_info#two500

Yes a SSN is required.

Will do, thanks again!