lisa67

According to this:
http://dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.htm

You have 10 days

md95065

As you discovered, you can drive on an "out of state" license for up to 12 months if you are visiting California, but you need to get a California license within 10 days of becoming a resident.

meauxna

Isn't it 10 days in California? They do ticket for it too.

oops, should've read page 2.

katq

10 days in california omg?!?! they really don't want to risk having UK drivers on their roads do they)

sir_eccles

Bear in mind the instructions are written primarily from the point of view of someone becoming a resident who likely has a license from another state. In which case the 10 day window to exchange your NY license (for arguments sake) for a CA one is quite reasonable as there is no test involved.

Should there be a more explicit rule for overseas licenses compared to out of state to allow time to schedule a test is an interesting question?

N1cky

It's not as bad as it seems. As they will issue a temporary license once you have filled all the paperwork in and taken your theory test. This is valid for 6 months so you need to take your on the road test in this period. Best to get it done quick though, as its useful to have your real license with your picture on.

Jerseygirl

Getting a NJ DL was 2nd on our list of priorities when we moved here. Got our DLs during our first week. Just do it and get it over with...if you already have a UK DL it really is very very easy and it will reduce your auto insurance.

meauxna

They'd do the same to me if I moved back, and I'm a native California girl!

katq

Hehe...well, does that mean that if people move to another state they automatically lose their license privilege from another state when they get a new one...for example if you lived in CA and had a license, then move somewhere else and get a license from TX for example: do you in that case hold two license or lose the first one? That would seem so complicated, but then it is probably just a matter of formality, although an inconvenience too

katq

Hehe...well, does that mean that if people move to another state they automatically lose their license privilege from the previous state when they replace with with the local one...for example if you lived in CA and had a license, then move somewhere else and get a license from TX for example: do you in that case hold two license or lose the first one and then if you decide to move back to CA you need to re-apply? That would seem so complicated, but then it is probably just a matter of formality..sorry..I think I posted this twice somehow...and I can't delete it now

Jerseygirl

I find it helps not to think of the US as one country...instead it's like Europe...each US state is like a European country. Different laws, regulations, taxation, lifestyle etc.

The answer to your question is yes...your licence is only valid while you are a resident of that state. If you move to another state you have to apply for a new licence. This may or may not involve a written or practical test or both.

katq

Hehe...yes, you are quite right...well...except worse than the EU, because at least you can drive on any EU license there)

Jerseygirl

I didn't realise that...well I have been in the US for 15 years. So you can become a resident of Spain and drive on your UK licence until your UK licence expires? Then of course you will have to apply to the country you are resident in for a new licence.

katq

If for example you live in UK you can either drive for as long as you want on your Spanish license or you can just replace it with a British one. (that is if you don't want to take the test again and you want to have the UK one you replace it). There is no exam for replacing it, and I am pretty sure it is the same in the rest of the EU countries because it is based on common EU regulations

Jerseygirl

OK...thank you.

So that sort of blows my theory of comparing US states to Euro countries out of the window.