Driving in Cali
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 17
Driving in Cali
Hi there,
I arrived in Cali on an E2 about 2 weeks ago and have passed my written DMV exam and have my driving test in 2 weeks time.
I have bought a car and have insured it on a UK license for now.
I have searched the DMV and other sites and can't find a definitive answer.
Can I drive this car on my UK license till I take my test? Some sites mention 30 days on a UK license. Some cali sites mention getting your license within 10 days which is impossible as it takes 2 weeks to get your social security number needed to apply for a license.
Any ideas please?
Thanks in advance.
I arrived in Cali on an E2 about 2 weeks ago and have passed my written DMV exam and have my driving test in 2 weeks time.
I have bought a car and have insured it on a UK license for now.
I have searched the DMV and other sites and can't find a definitive answer.
Can I drive this car on my UK license till I take my test? Some sites mention 30 days on a UK license. Some cali sites mention getting your license within 10 days which is impossible as it takes 2 weeks to get your social security number needed to apply for a license.
Any ideas please?
Thanks in advance.
#2
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 38,865
Re: Driving in Cali
... getting your license within 10 days which is impossible as it takes 2 weeks to get your social security number needed to apply for a license.
Ian
#3
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 17
Re: Driving in Cali
Hi Ian,
I did ask the lady in the DMV, she was unsure. I left more confused than when I started. She was more concerned with a conversation she was having with her work colleague. I did ring them as well and waited 45 minutes at which point the system dropped me out. I'm not sure if you've dealt with the DMV, but it's not a heart warming experience.
I have a hire car here, which i'm driving on a British license but can't find definitive advice on my own car.
Rob.
I did ask the lady in the DMV, she was unsure. I left more confused than when I started. She was more concerned with a conversation she was having with her work colleague. I did ring them as well and waited 45 minutes at which point the system dropped me out. I'm not sure if you've dealt with the DMV, but it's not a heart warming experience.
I have a hire car here, which i'm driving on a British license but can't find definitive advice on my own car.
Rob.
#4
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: Driving in Cali
Hi Ian,
I did ask the lady in the DMV, she was unsure. I left more confused than when I started. She was more concerned with a conversation she was having with her work colleague. I did ring them as well and waited 45 minutes at which point the system dropped me out. I'm not sure if you've dealt with the DMV, but it's not a heart warming experience.
I have a hire car here, which i'm driving on a British license but can't find definitive advice on my own car.
Rob.
I did ask the lady in the DMV, she was unsure. I left more confused than when I started. She was more concerned with a conversation she was having with her work colleague. I did ring them as well and waited 45 minutes at which point the system dropped me out. I'm not sure if you've dealt with the DMV, but it's not a heart warming experience.
I have a hire car here, which i'm driving on a British license but can't find definitive advice on my own car.
Rob.
#6
Re: Driving in Cali
Hi Ian,
I did ask the lady in the DMV, she was unsure. I left more confused than when I started. She was more concerned with a conversation she was having with her work colleague. I did ring them as well and waited 45 minutes at which point the system dropped me out. I'm not sure if you've dealt with the DMV, but it's not a heart warming experience.
I have a hire car here, which i'm driving on a British license but can't find definitive advice on my own car.
Rob.
I did ask the lady in the DMV, she was unsure. I left more confused than when I started. She was more concerned with a conversation she was having with her work colleague. I did ring them as well and waited 45 minutes at which point the system dropped me out. I'm not sure if you've dealt with the DMV, but it's not a heart warming experience.
I have a hire car here, which i'm driving on a British license but can't find definitive advice on my own car.
Rob.
Welcome to CA DMV..lovely eh...
With the hire car it typically isnt a problem, as long as you have your UK license...
What buying and registering a car will do for sure is establish CA residency, then the ten days officially kicks in, if it hasnt already...
The golden rule is being reasonable...if you at least start the process (a pending automated app) then you will be fine, if you take the mickey and dawdle on getting it, 2-3 months etc, then you will be taking your chances..
I re-read your Opost, with the timeline you mentioned, you will be fine...
#7
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 17
Re: Driving in Cali
Thanks guys, advice much appreciated.
#8
Re: Driving in Cali
By the way..I hope your not in LA, you know they are "all" weirdos up there...hehe..
#14
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: Berkeley, CA
Posts: 927
Re: Driving in Cali
If you present your British license to the DMV at the time of taking the written test, they'll give you a temporary license that allows you to drive until you take the road test.
In practice you can just use your British one and CHP will either not care or give you a minor slap on the wrist.
In practice you can just use your British one and CHP will either not care or give you a minor slap on the wrist.