Getting Ca. driver license...
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2
Getting Ca. driver license...
Hi all,
I'm looking for some advice on auto issues... I recently arrived in California on a tourist visa, waiting for my O-1 to come through. I'm currently driving a rental car on my British license, but planned to buy a used vehicle, register it, and take the CA driving test ASAP (those of you driving a rental with full coverage know how quickly it adds up!). But checking through the DMV requirements, they demand a 'legal presence' proof before you can get the license; this trip, for some reason, we were put through immigration without an I-94 form. I have the passport stamp, etc, just no I-94 proof of legal tourist status!
So what do you advise? I can buy and register the car without the CA license, even get insurance too (pricey, but still), so should I just go ahead and buy the car now, but wait until my O-1 visa is approved, and I exit/re-enter the country on it before I get the CA license? Since I suppose, technically, I'm not a state resident if I'm on the tourist visa right now - I'm not working, and don't own property or pay taxes (I will once the visa comes, but that could be another month). They say you should get a Californian license within 10 days, but if the fine isn't too big, it might be worth fudging it as a 'tourist' for the next month until my visa is sorted.
(And if anyone has specific experience of auto insurance in California/LA, that would be great!)
Thanks,
I'm looking for some advice on auto issues... I recently arrived in California on a tourist visa, waiting for my O-1 to come through. I'm currently driving a rental car on my British license, but planned to buy a used vehicle, register it, and take the CA driving test ASAP (those of you driving a rental with full coverage know how quickly it adds up!). But checking through the DMV requirements, they demand a 'legal presence' proof before you can get the license; this trip, for some reason, we were put through immigration without an I-94 form. I have the passport stamp, etc, just no I-94 proof of legal tourist status!
So what do you advise? I can buy and register the car without the CA license, even get insurance too (pricey, but still), so should I just go ahead and buy the car now, but wait until my O-1 visa is approved, and I exit/re-enter the country on it before I get the CA license? Since I suppose, technically, I'm not a state resident if I'm on the tourist visa right now - I'm not working, and don't own property or pay taxes (I will once the visa comes, but that could be another month). They say you should get a Californian license within 10 days, but if the fine isn't too big, it might be worth fudging it as a 'tourist' for the next month until my visa is sorted.
(And if anyone has specific experience of auto insurance in California/LA, that would be great!)
Thanks,
#2
Re: Getting Ca. driver license...
Hi all,
I'm looking for some advice on auto issues... I recently arrived in California on a tourist visa, waiting for my O-1 to come through. I'm currently driving a rental car on my British license, but planned to buy a used vehicle, register it, and take the CA driving test ASAP (those of you driving a rental with full coverage know how quickly it adds up!). But checking through the DMV requirements, they demand a 'legal presence' proof before you can get the license; this trip, for some reason, we were put through immigration without an I-94 form. I have the passport stamp, etc, just no I-94 proof of legal tourist status!
So what do you advise? I can buy and register the car without the CA license, even get insurance too (pricey, but still), so should I just go ahead and buy the car now, but wait until my O-1 visa is approved, and I exit/re-enter the country on it before I get the CA license? Since I suppose, technically, I'm not a state resident if I'm on the tourist visa right now - I'm not working, and don't own property or pay taxes (I will once the visa comes, but that could be another month). They say you should get a Californian license within 10 days, but if the fine isn't too big, it might be worth fudging it as a 'tourist' for the next month until my visa is sorted.
(And if anyone has specific experience of auto insurance in California/LA, that would be great!)
Thanks,
I'm looking for some advice on auto issues... I recently arrived in California on a tourist visa, waiting for my O-1 to come through. I'm currently driving a rental car on my British license, but planned to buy a used vehicle, register it, and take the CA driving test ASAP (those of you driving a rental with full coverage know how quickly it adds up!). But checking through the DMV requirements, they demand a 'legal presence' proof before you can get the license; this trip, for some reason, we were put through immigration without an I-94 form. I have the passport stamp, etc, just no I-94 proof of legal tourist status!
So what do you advise? I can buy and register the car without the CA license, even get insurance too (pricey, but still), so should I just go ahead and buy the car now, but wait until my O-1 visa is approved, and I exit/re-enter the country on it before I get the CA license? Since I suppose, technically, I'm not a state resident if I'm on the tourist visa right now - I'm not working, and don't own property or pay taxes (I will once the visa comes, but that could be another month). They say you should get a Californian license within 10 days, but if the fine isn't too big, it might be worth fudging it as a 'tourist' for the next month until my visa is sorted.
(And if anyone has specific experience of auto insurance in California/LA, that would be great!)
Thanks,
Second, I am not sure DMV will entertain the I-94 even if you had one. You are not a CA resident as you are a tourist which means you can drive on British license and CA will not issue you a CA license (stand corrected).
#3
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 38,865
Re: Getting Ca. driver license...
I'm willing to bet you didn't.
Tourists don't get driver's licenses.
I believe that's "within 10 days of becoming a resident". You aren't a resident... you're just a tourist.
Ian
I have the passport stamp, etc, just no I-94 proof of legal tourist status!
They say you should get a Californian license within 10 days...
Ian
#4
Re: Getting Ca. driver license...
I suspect that you don't have an I-94 because you didn't enter on a visa. Entries on the Visa Waiver Program no longer receive an I-94W card.
Tourists are generally barred from getting a driver's license in any case.
You're NOT a resident in California and you don't "live" there. You are a tourist.
Tourists are generally barred from getting a driver's license in any case.
You're NOT a resident in California and you don't "live" there. You are a tourist.
#5
Re: Getting Ca. driver license...
I suspect that you don't have an I-94 because you didn't enter on a visa. Entries on the Visa Waiver Program no longer receive an I-94W card. Tourists are generally barred from getting a driver's license in any case.
You're NOT a resident in California and you don't "live" there. You are a tourist.
You're NOT a resident in California and you don't "live" there. You are a tourist.
That would be something fairly new right? Few months ago, I entered in VWP and I did get a green color I-94
#7
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2
Re: Getting Ca. driver license...
Thanks for the feedback, everyone. I meant Visa Waiver, rather than tourist visa - so if they no longer give I-94s for VW then that must be the reason! I was out here in April and got the I-94, so it's pretty new.
It looks like there's nothing right now saying I need to get the license, since officially I am a tourist, even if I'm planning ahead for when my O-1 comes through. I thought that registering the vehicle might be a sign of residency, but I'll dig deeper in the DMV website, and if not, then I'm all-clear for now!
It looks like there's nothing right now saying I need to get the license, since officially I am a tourist, even if I'm planning ahead for when my O-1 comes through. I thought that registering the vehicle might be a sign of residency, but I'll dig deeper in the DMV website, and if not, then I'm all-clear for now!
#8
Re: Getting Ca. driver license...
Thanks for the feedback, everyone. I meant Visa Waiver, rather than tourist visa - so if they no longer give I-94s for VW then that must be the reason! I was out here in April and got the I-94, so it's pretty new.
It looks like there's nothing right now saying I need to get the license, since officially I am a tourist, even if I'm planning ahead for when my O-1 comes through. I thought that registering the vehicle might be a sign of residency, but I'll dig deeper in the DMV website, and if not, then I'm all-clear for now!
It looks like there's nothing right now saying I need to get the license, since officially I am a tourist, even if I'm planning ahead for when my O-1 comes through. I thought that registering the vehicle might be a sign of residency, but I'll dig deeper in the DMV website, and if not, then I'm all-clear for now!
You may want to contact American Express UK see if they have a 30 day insurance (not including liability coverage) like the AE USA cards do.
#9
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 52
Re: Getting Ca. driver license...
Unless I am reading your post wrong - First of all, you need to get the I-94 for your toursist visa. Its the most important document ever
Second, I am not sure DMV will entertain the I-94 even if you had one. You are not a CA resident as you are a tourist which means you can drive on British license and CA will not issue you a CA license (stand corrected).
Second, I am not sure DMV will entertain the I-94 even if you had one. You are not a CA resident as you are a tourist which means you can drive on British license and CA will not issue you a CA license (stand corrected).
A white I-94 card was fine for my wife a couple of months ago.
#13
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 52
Re: Getting Ca. driver license...
No, she wasn't a tourist and I know VWP never received white I-94 cards