chanteldmx

hi moving hopefuly to fresno california. Does anyone know if you can use the uk driving license over there? If so is that just a temporary thing then do you have to be tested again for a CA license!!! Also I know it is quite a cosmopolitian area though how are they acceptance wise with mixed race relationships eg I am white and my husband is black.....

Elvira

There have been countless threads about this. You need to get a CA licence. You need passport and SS# (or proof of legal status), and you need to take the test.

Get the book from the DMV when you get here and familiarise yourself with the streets around the DMV where you'll be tested. Easy-peasy.

DK about mixed race relationships but CA is pretty liberal compared to many parts of the US.

NB: 'liberal' is a dirty word in the bible belt - and some other places too, I believe :scared:

NC Penguin

The California DMV website should make it clear whether you can drive on a British license in the state of CA.

My guess is that you can't. Most US states do not allow those who have taken up residence in the state to drive on foreign licenses. For residents there's a limit on the number of days on which you can drive on a foreign issued license. e.g. in NC it is 60 days (I believe).

I don't live in CA so I probably can't help you much about the other part of your question.




NC Penguin

Elvira

IN CA you can drive with the UK licence for about 3 months I think, but to get insurance you need a CA licence, and without iinsurance you cannot buy a car.

Ah yes insurance - that will probably be your next question, right?

They'll care F-All for your unblemished UK record and most insurers won't even look at you But there are a few threads here on getting around that. You'll probably have to go to a broker who specialises in 'difficult to insure' cases.

Bob

someone said it was 20 days or 30 days...but not long anyway...got 12 months in maine
But like mentioned, it's all mute point if you can't get insurance, which is hard if you don't have state license.

Though the license is a joke to get, five min drive around the block by the sounds of things in CA *lol*

Elvira

Test definitely is a joke - no need to worry. But beef up on the theoretical part - most of it is commonsense but the abbreviations and some other local quirks can throw you.

She can expect to pay about $1.5 - $2k for insurance the first year though!

bored-silly

If you are coming over as a resident, you must apply to take your test within 10 days off arriving. Your test may be a month or so later but if you get stopped and you haven't applied, you will get a huge fine!

fatbrit

As a state drivers licence is the most accepted form of ID, I don't know why anybody delays getting it. It should rank very high in your first week's list of priorities.

Bob

And in some stores, the only form of ID to get booze....which was finally why I bothered getting mine *lol*

AmerLisa

Fresno - cosmopolitian???? I'm not sure if you've been to the same Fresno I've been to, but its the armpit of California, literally! Sorry, but my sister lived there briefly....she was scared! :scared: :scared:

As far as mixed relationships, you're probably ok, most people run for cover there and its certainly not the deep South or the Midwest.

AmerLisa

Actually try State Farm Insurance, they're pretty good.

Elvira

Gosh I missed that bit in her original post! cosmopolitan isn't the image I had associated with Fresno...

lolly

I really cannot believe you asked that question !!! Speaking as someone who has been married to a BLACK !!! US citizen for 20 years.
Ok you really would not want to move to the DEEP SOUTH, but anywhere else is fine. I have always said if you go around looking for problems you will find them. We have never had any problems here or in the UK.
Forget what colour he is you married him because you love him so S*D everyone else. Just be happy.

chanteldmx

I stayed in Florida for 6 months and because I had a black boyfriend I had a gun pulled on us etc etc all I want is a nice life so obviously I dont want to go anywhere where we are going to have undue hassle...... so I think this is a perfectly valid question... I have never lived in california so how would I know unless I ask !!!!!!!

Bob

CA is a pretty huge state, and it varies quite a bit from end to end...haven't heard of to many nice things being said for anywhere to much north of san fran..so could be an interesting movie, and constant AC...hmmm...