Re: Getting a drivers license on arrival in CA
 

Avis allowed me to take my behind-the-wheel test in my company rental car. All I had to show was that the rental was a company rental and that the company had adequate insurance coverage on the rental, which was easily proven with a copy of my company's blanket car rental insurance policy.

Re: Getting a drivers license on arrival in CA
 

Interesting, maybe things have changed - at Avis, DMV, their paperwork or elsewhere. Who knows. Some years ago another colleague couldn't use an Avis company-provided rental for his test because the contract or insurance paperwork didn't have his name on it. (And yeah, I'm pretty sure we work for the same company...)

Buying and insuring a car with the temporary license was fine. The dealership was a bit confused seeing a piece of paper instead of a real license, but luckily they only asked for it after my test drive. :lol:

Re: Getting a drivers license on arrival in CA
 

To take my test I contacted a driving school, spent an hour behind the wheel 'practicing' and then took my test in Santa Monica.
The driving school are used to us Brits coming over and doing this, and are set up well for it.
It saved faffing round with 'do they' 'don't they' car rental farce.
And I managed to buy a new car with the temporary paper license, the dealership don't care they just want your money!!