California DL conundrum

[randomstairs 303]

How can one get a car for the behind-the-wheel test? I'm a Permanent Resident of the US (LPR) and a California resident. I've obtained the Instruction Permit at the DMV which allows me to drive in a company of someone with a CA DL. I also have an old, but still valid, European DL. As a California resident I can't use it in CA (or anywhere in the US?).

 

Now, I can't rent a car without a valid CA license but they would happily take my valid European DL even though I can't use it in CA! (They don't let you rent a car with only the Instruction Permit.) Is it legal to drive with a valid Instruction Permit and a European DL as a California resident? I know that you can't drive with a foreign DL as a resident but can you do so if you apply for CA DL and get the permit? If yes, then I'll simply rent a car with my European DL for the behind-the-wheel test. If no, how can I get a car? My understanding is that I can't just borrow it from a friend because the paperwork has to include me somehow. How about having the friend with a car coming with me to the DMV? 

 

How on earth can one get a car for the driving test if they are LPR and CA resident but don't already have a US DL? (Other than buying a new car, obviously...)

Edited December 23, 2018 by randomstairs

[dxec 31]

Any friends will let you use theirs? Try a driving school? Also what country are you from?  I searched google and something came up saying if you are from some EU countries you can just change your EU license for a US license without the test.

 

"Reciprocity Agreements

Some US states have so called reciprocity agreements with other countries. This means that if your driving permit has been issued in one of these countries, you will be able to simply exchange it for a US driving license of that state (and typically vice versa) without having to take any tests. At the time of writing in early 2014, such mutual exchange agreements existed for the following countries:

• Canada (please note that regulations might vary for the different Canadian provinces)
• France
• Germany
• South Korea

If your country is not on this list, it might still be worth your while to enquire, e.g. at your local DMV, whether there have been any new agreements made.

"

 

https://www.internations.org/go/moving-to-the-us/country-facts/getting-a-us-driving-license

Edited December 23, 2018 by dxec

[randomstairs 303]

4 minutes ago, dxec said:

Any friends will let you use theirs? Try a driving school?

The car has to be in my name or I need a complicated legal agreement to borrow it from a friend - if I understand this correctly. I do have many friends who would take me to the DMV but they can't be in the car during the test (so I can't use their cars for it).  

 

I'm not sure if any driving schools in my area offer lending a car for the test...

Edited December 23, 2018 by randomstairs

[dxec 31]

I edited my reply with more information. I used my mothers car all they asked for was any car with insurance, haha. I live in Florida though so things might be different in CA. That link also says they might waive the practical test or both written and practical in some states also if  you have a foreign license.

Edited December 23, 2018 by dxec

[randomstairs 303]

Just now, dxec said:

I edited my reply with more information. I used my mothers car all they asked for was any car with insurance, haha. I live in Florida though so things might be different in CA

Thanks! Yeah, I'm not sure that would work in CA though. 

 

I don't love the idea of having to buy a car just for the driving test

[Daisy.Chain 317]

Try calling the DMV and very politely asking fir suggestions?

 

If the issue is that you can't rent in CA, could you drive to another state, rent a car for the test, then drive it back? It would still be a hassle, but not as much as buying one.

 

I'm not understanding why the car has to be yours. Is this a special CA rule? In KS most kids use their parents' cars.

[randomstairs 303]

23 minutes ago, dxec said:

Any friends will let you use theirs? Try a driving school? Also what country are you from?  I searched google and something came up saying if you are from some EU countries you can just change your EU license for a US license without the test.

 

"Reciprocity Agreements

Some US states have so called reciprocity agreements with other countries. This means that if your driving permit has been issued in one of these countries, you will be able to simply exchange it for a US driving license of that state (and typically vice versa) without having to take any tests. At the time of writing in early 2014, such mutual exchange agreements existed for the following countries:

• Canada (please note that regulations might vary for the different Canadian provinces)
• France
• Germany
• South Korea

If your country is not on this list, it might still be worth your while to enquire, e.g. at your local DMV, whether there have been any new agreements made.

"

 

https://www.internations.org/go/moving-to-the-us/country-facts/getting-a-us-driving-license

Thanks for checking! Alas it's not on the list and that doesn't work in CA anyway.

[randomstairs 303]

Just now, Daisy.Chain said:

Try calling the DMV and very politely asking fir suggestions?

 

If the issue is that you can't rent in CA, could you drive to another state, rent a car for the test, then drive it back? It would still be a hassle, but not as much as buying one.

 

I'm not understanding why the car has to be yours. Is this a special CA rule? In KS most kids use their parents' cars.

I'll ask them whenever they open again. I think the registration (or something like that) has to be in my name or I have to be "included" in it. That's what they told me at the DMV. But they also suggested that I can rent a car (which didn't work). They asked me about a valid foreign DL for the purpose of renting a car but that doesn't make sense if it's not legal to use a foreign DL as a resident. I think it's obvious I've never done that before  

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

  Someone who has a car drives with you to the DMV . ( you have to have someone with you when you drive anyway )   you get in line for the test.  The DMV person and you go for the test.  Your other person hangs at the DMV for a bit.  You get back from the test and you and your other person leave together.   I can be a friend or person from a driving school.  If you move to California you only have a short period to use a licence from other places.   

[lummo 61]

1 hour ago, NigeriaorBust said:

Someone who has a car drives with you to the DMV . ( you have to have someone with you when you drive anyway )   you get in line for the test.  The DMV person and you go for the test.  Your other person hangs at the DMV for a bit.  You get back from the test and you and your other person leave together.   I can be a friend or person from a driving school.  If you move to California you only have a short period to use a licence from other places.   

@randomstairs, ^ this is 100% correct. I'm a California resident (I was born and raised in CA; I've only visited 1 other state/place, Nevada, in the whole world, lol). When I took my test in 2014, I passed it using my mother's car and my name was not on the car's registration. About 7 months ago, an acquaintence (friend of a friend of a friend) used my car twice (he failed the test the 1st time) for the test. Obviously, the acquaintence is not on my car's registration. I was with him at check-in with my valid DL and my car's registration and valid insurance. I was on the passenger side when he was waiting in the car line and I got out the car when the DMV employee started the test. The car should be in good condition in order to avoid negative marks on the test. My car's A/C dashboard's lights sometimes don't turn on and in 1 of the tests the DMV employee asked about it but probably disregarded it.

[randomstairs 303]

Thank you all for responding. I'll drive to the test with a friend and in his car. I hope the DMV agrees. Regarding the foreign DL: I know I can't use it to drive as a resident but what if I'm using the Instruction Permit to drive (accompanied by an adult CA DL holder) and the foreign DL just to rent the car with (the rental company I spoke to was happy to do that but I'm not sure about the legality - it seems like a loophole to me). 

Edited December 23, 2018 by randomstairs

[Shiran 1,134]

14 minutes ago, randomstairs said:

Thank you all for responding. I'll drive to the test with a friend and in his car. I hope the DMV agrees. Regarding the foreign DL: I know I can't use it to drive as a resident but what if I'm using the Instruction Permit to drive (accompanied by an adult CA DL holder) and the foreign DL just to rent the car with (the rental company I spoke to was happy to do that but I'm not sure about the legality - it seems like a loophole to me). 

These are official CA requirements. Vehicle must be insured, but it doesn't have to be insured in your name. So, yes your friends vehicle should be fine. Remember to visibly look both ways (turn head) on ALL intersections even the ones with lights! Good luck!

[K & R 343]

22 hours ago, randomstairs said:

The car has to be in my name or I need a complicated legal agreement to borrow it from a friend - if I understand this correctly. I do have many friends who would take me to the DMV but they can't be in the car during the test (so I can't use their cars for it).  

 

I'm not sure if any driving schools in my area offer lending a car for the test...

Not sure how it is in CA but when my brother took his drivers test in PA he didn’t even have to go to the DMV. He hired a driving school where the instructor took him driving in an instruction vehicle and at the end of their lessons together the instructor was authorized to give him the DL test and pass/fail him for it. He did all of this in the driving school car. Maybe see if there are programs like that?

[lummo 61]

2 minutes ago, K & R said:

Maybe see if there are programs like that?

Not possible in CA.

[K & R 343]

1 minute ago, lummo said:

Not possible in CA.

Awh that’s too bad  hopefully OP can find a friends car to use