siliconpete

I lived in the US for two years 2013 to 2015 and returned to London and am now considering moving back to CA. I got a drivers license while I was there but that has expired in October 2016, does anyone have experience with a situation like this? Will I need to do a full driving test again or just written and eye test? From what I remember it won't be possible to buy a car until you have a valid US license so guess I'll need to rent for a little while until I get that sorted.

Thanks for the info!

Peter124

It was a long time ago (1990) but when I returned to CA, I went to the DMV and was surprised to hear 'oh, you're already in our system'. New DL issued, no tests, no problems.

Of course a lot has changed since 1990!

siliconpete

That would be amazing - how much time was there between your license expiring and renewing it? Fingers crossed that process is still the case.

TheKingOfHearts

Do you have US citizenship? (If not and you haven't lived there in 2 years, you may have de-facto abandoned your greencard status) I ask because CA ties your DL expiry to your i94 date if you aren't a US citizen or permanent resident. Therefore if you were there as a visitor, it'd only be valid 90 days at most, unless you possess a visa with a longer date.

All that being said; assuming you have legal right to be there, they should renew it for the maximum term (5 years USC & permanent resident) or i94 date.

Edit: I actually seem to recall reading somewhere that CA is one of the few states that will issue a DL to someone who is undocumented assuming they sign an affidavit. Slightly off topic but still relevant.

siliconpete

I was on an L1 visa and haven't lived there since 2015 - good information, guess I'll have to reach out to the DMV

TheKingOfHearts

In which case if you return on another visa; they should renew it no problem to your latest i94 date (which keep in mind may not actually be your visa expiry date)

Peter124

About 4 years, 1986-1990. I said it was a long time ago! I was a US resident the whole time, on a green card. Moved to Pennsylvania for work, then moved back.