Drivers license California

[Scandi 4,167]

I just have one simple question..

 

Is it true that you have to have a car insurance to be able to get and keep your drivers license in California? 

[f f 725]

you can get a drivers license with out having insurance y less you got in trouble with the dmv and they require you to have it (due etc). however to own a car you must have that car insured and you will lose your license if you are driving uninsured.

 

good luck

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

Have to agree with above. Getting a driver's license requires the testing be completed; but never heard of insurance being needed ot obtian a license.

 

To drive with that license you need to have or be covered under someone elses insurance or you can be fined heavily/lose your license.

 

Any car owned must be insured to the minimum state requirements or at least be put on "storage" insurance if not in use but can not be driven until liability/full coverage is restored.

[Dutchster 1,107]

As far as I know all states want to see prove of you being in a legal presence and you have to show that to obtain one. Insurance has nothing to do with it.

[databit 328]

If you just want a drivers license for identification BUT DO NOT EVER PLAN TO USE IT TO DRIVE, you can rent a car and buy the insurance the rental companies provide for the day. So yes, insurance for the car needed to GET a license. But not to keep it, if you never drive.

If you just want ID, just get a California ID Card from the DMV instead.

 

But if you are ever caught driving without insurance, the penalties are severe. If you had an accident, especially one that caused injuries---even if not your fault---the accident will automatically be considered YOUR fault and you will be financially liable, and you can be sued for everything you own now and into the future.

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/pubs/brochures/fast_facts/ffdl22

From the DMV official site:
Financial Responsibility

You must show that your vehicle is properly insured before the driving test begins (or the test will be postponed) by providing one of the following:

• A document with the liability insurance policy or surety bond number.
• An Assigned Risk insurance card with the name of the assigned insurance company, file number, and current coverage dates.
• Current insurance binder or copy of an insurance policy signed or countersigned by an insurance company representative.
• Rental car contract if the driver is listed on the contract as the insured.
• DMV-issued certificate of self-insurance or acknowledgment of cash deposit.
• Written confirmation from the insurer that the person is insured.

Edited February 8, 2017 by databit

[Scandi 4,167]

Yes I understand that I need to have insurance for the car I use when taking my drivers license, but I've been told that my drivers license will be cancelled or invalid somehow if I don't have a car insurance.

 

I would love to take my drivers license as soon as I get my EAD but I have no plans to drive or have an insurance after taking my drivers license. Not until I get a job I have to drive to.

 

That's why I wanted to know if I can still keep my drivers license without having an insurance on a car. I've been told since I got here that I can't keep a valid drivers license without having a car insurance, which sounds crazy to me as where I come from you can take your drivers license and then never drive or have an insurance if you don't want to. 

 

I don't want to be forced to pay for an insurance just because I want to keep the license and not drive right now.

Edited February 8, 2017 by Scandi

[databit 328]

1 hour ago, Scandi said:

That's why I wanted to know if I can still keep my drivers license without having an insurance on a car. 

I have not found any proof that you need insurance to possess a license.

[yuna628 9,678]

1 hour ago, Scandi said:

Yes I understand that I need to have insurance for the car I use when taking my drivers license, but I've been told that my drivers license will be cancelled or invalid somehow if I don't have a car insurance.

 

I would love to take my drivers license as soon as I get my EAD but I have no plans to drive or have an insurance after taking my drivers license. Not until I get a job I have to drive to.

 

That's why I wanted to know if I can still keep my drivers license without having an insurance on a car. I've been told since I got here that I can't keep a valid drivers license without having a car insurance, which sounds crazy to me as where I come from you can take your drivers license and then never drive or have an insurance if you don't want to. 

 

I don't want to be forced to pay for an insurance just because I want to keep the license and not drive right now.

As you've stated, you would need to have some sort of insurance on the vehicle you will use to take your driving test. My husband is an authorized driver on my dad's old hunk o' junk, so he is insured until he purchases his own soon. But if for some reason you obtained your license and aren't intending on driving a vehicle (any vehicle) I can't think for any reason why on earth you would lose your license. You need to only be insured when you are behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. Some states require that you must individually have insurance to be behind the wheel, and some states require that (if you are borrowing a car for instance or are using a family member's car as a new driver) just the policy holder can add additional drivers as 'authorized drivers' who are covered on that insurance. But this has no bearing on you maintaining your license if you are not driving. Who told you this exactly? You're doing the right thing, so don't worry another moment about it.

Edited February 8, 2017 by yuna628

[AstroCanada 206]

4 hours ago, databit said:

I have not found any proof that you need insurance to possess a license.

That is correct.  Obtaining a license and having a car/car insurance are completely separate issues in almost every jurisdiction I know of.   I can note with certainty in California that you do not need to own a car or have car insurance to have a license.

 

The converse is different.  If you own a car, you must have insurance and a license to use it.  

[Scandi 4,167]

Thank you so much for all your replies. I will go ahead and get my drivers license as soon as my EAD is approved then, even if I don't have any plans on driving a car for many months, maybe even a year.

 

I just want to get the license to be done with it, so when the day comes that I actually need to start driving I already have the license and only need to get an insurance. The drivers license is good for identification as well of course, but if that was the only reason I wanted one I could might as well just go for a state ID. 

[patriot10 11]

Off tangent, but wondering if a driving license from country is valid in california for an immigrant and for how long.

Also,

If one has a valid driving licence from country of origin of immigrant, does it hold any value if shown at dmv for example to excuse the driving test/exam or to directly make a california license from it.

 

I ask, cause i hear that in UK, they do give credence to the fact that you already have a valid license albeit from another country.

 

Rgds.