MandyNi

Ok so I've just been reading up on driving in CA. This is what it states on their website:

How to apply for a driver license if you are over 18
If you are a visitor in California over 18 and have a valid driver license from your home state or country, you may drive in this state without getting a California driver license as long as your home state license remains valid. and

The State of California does not recognize an International Driving Permit (IDP) as a valid driver license. California does recognize a valid driver license that is issued by a foreign jurisdiction (country, state, territory) of which the license holder is a resident.


OK so that's where my POE will be and probably where I'll get married, but I will only be there for 6 months or so and won't be establishing residency as such, "home" will be Virginia. So question is does anyone know if I'll legally be able to drive on my UK license?

fatbrit

I really don't know why folks procrastinate over this. It's not difficult! Go get a US license as soon as you can. Period!

MandyNi

It's got nothing to do with procrastination. Period!

We'll be in CA because my fiance has been placed their by his employer. He can't (and we have to assume as his wife I shouldn't either) do anything that establishes residency in CA as there are tax implications around his placement - which I don't claim to understand, but it's a government agency so I have to go with what they are telling him. I won't be visiting Virginia again before I get to CA so I won't be able to get my DL there until we head back home.

Sometimes it would be better to ask questions rather than make snappy assumptions. Period!

Poppy girl

But if you are here more then 10days then you must get a CA Licence.

CelticRover

I think you could make a case for not needing a Ca licence since you are not intending to establish residency but Va might be a different story since each state has it's own grace period for obtaining a local licence. Also if your vehicle is registered in a particular state you might need the corresponding driver's licence. Good luck!

Poppy girl

I used my british licence for a year before I got a CA one.

bevinva

In Virginia you have to prove residency to get a license, utility bill, bank statement type of thing. If she has to do the same in CA she wouldn't be able to.

Poppy girl

How to apply for a driver license if you are over 18
If you are a visitor in California over 18 and have a valid driver license from your home state or country, you may drive in this state without getting a California driver license as long as your home state license remains valid.

If you become a California resident, you must get a California driver license within 10 days. Residency is established by voting in a California election, paying resident tuition, filing for a homeowner’s property tax exemption, or any other privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents.

To apply for an original driver license if you are over 18, you will need to do the following:

•Visit a DMV office (make an Appointment(s) for faster service)
•Complete application form DL 44 (An original DL 44 form must be submitted. Copies will not be accepted.)
•Give a thumb print
•Have your picture taken
•Provide your social security number. It will be verified with the Social Security Administration while you are in the office.
•Verify your birth date and legal presence If your current name no longer matches the name on your birth data/legal presence document, see "True Full Name" and "How to Change Your Name" for more information.
•Provide your true full name
•Pay the application fee
•Pass a vision exam
•Pass a traffic laws and sign test. There are 36 questions on the test. You have three chances to pass.(Sample Test)
Note: To allow you sufficient time for testing DMV will not be administering written or audio exams after 4:30 p.m.

You will then be issued a permit if you have never been licensed before. When you practice, you must have an accompanying adult who is 18 years of age or older, with a valid California license. This person must be close enough to you to take control of the vehicle if necessary. It is illegal for you to drive alone.

If you have a license from another country, you will be required to take a driving test. If you have a license from another state, the driving test can be waived.

fatbrit

They must be staying somewhere for the 6 months.

CelticRover

..........but not as a resident?

fatbrit

Who knows? It's easier to just get the bloody license and be done with it! Of course, I didn't realize the OP was trying to avoid paying tax. Perhaps she can just buy one in a bar?

CelticRover

Besides, we don't need no stinking papers.

MandyNi

My fiance works for a government agency they have advised him not to establish residency, got nothing at all to do with him trying to avoid tax, but what his employers have requested him to do.

I won't be able to establish residency in CA so I can't get a license there, and I won't be able to establish residency in VA as I won't live there until after this TDY has ended.

Thanks for your helpful attitude!

MrEmjoy

Different states have different laws regarding what license they take.

For example, Illinois will not accept the IDL, but they will accept the UKDL for up to a year.

California are the same, no IDL and I can't find the information needed online that tells me how long you can drive on a UKDL, resident or not.

I would phone the California Sheriffs dept as they are often more useful than the DMV, I called our sheriffs dept allot for information like this.

Forget Googling info and just go to the source. If your OH's company are willing they may find out stuff like this for you as others may have been in the same situation.

fatbrit

Glad to be of help.