CA driver's license on an F1 visa
 

A friend of mine just arrived on an F1 visa and wants to get a California driver's license while he is here.

According to the CA DMV web site information on "Limited Term Legal Presence"

Since he is on an F1 visa his I-94 (which along with his passport is, I believe, his "legal presence document") doesn't have an expiration date - it is just marked D/S - "duration of status".

Does anyone know how the CA DMV interprets this in terms of what the expiration date on his license will be?

Re: CA driver's license on an F1 visa
 

Things may have changed, but back in 1996 I was on an F1 studying in CA. I took my driving test and passed. They took my photo and so on, but the only license I received was a printout from the DMV office where I took the test that was valid for a year. I called a few times and they told me they had to confirm my residence status with the INS before they could issue the license. I never did receive it, but I was only there for another 7 months or so.

Fast forward to 2001 when I moved to San Francisco from Connecticut, (I'd moved to CT from Europe in 2000,) and went to take my CA driver's test again. They still had a record of my license from 1996 and were able to issue me the real license then and there, with the original license number. I was on an H1B at the time. (This was a big bonus for me - my insurance cost dropped dramatically as I'd been continuously insured for 5 years with no accidents or moving violations on that license.)

Not sure if this is still pertinent, but hope it helps.

Re: CA driver's license on an F1 visa
 

I know you asked specifically about CA, but thought it may be helpful to tell my experience. I am in IA; had to take along my passport and my I-20. Once I had passed the theory and driving test, they issued my licence to coincide with the end date on the I-20.