Want to drive in California!

[DAN02006 0]

Hi! I am still so away from my EAD and hence my California drivers license as i dont have proof of legal presence My home country drivers license is valid here in CA but how does one work the car insurance? I want to buy a car too..can I do that? Your inputs will be of greta help.

thanks

dano

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Hi Dano,

My wife's Philippine DL is also valid as per CA state law, however, when I called my insurance company to add her, the person on the phone initially told me that they don't cover people without a valid state license. Oddly, her name was added on the policy but I'm fearful if she were to get into an accident, that the insurance company would not cover it. Have you contacted your spouses insurance to see about being added onto her policy?

[lucyrich 20]

If a person has lived in California for more than ten days, then their out-of-state or out-of-country driver's license is no longer valid, per California State Law.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d06/vc12505.htm

That link defines residency for the purposes of the CVC. Note that "resident" for the purposes of the CVC has nothing to do with "lawful permanent resident" for the purpose of immigration law. Basically, if you've got a place to live, you're probably a resident by the CVC definition.

See especially paragraph ( c )

Any person entitled to an exemption under Section 12502, 12503, or 12504 may operate a motor vehicle in this state for not to exceed 10 days from the date he or she establishes residence in this state

[thesnowman 1]

When we bought a car Geico allowed me to be on the insurance for 30 days (although we also got a 2 week extension to almost 45 days) on my UK driving licence. I then had to fax in my Permit to drive when I got it.