chopper40

Hi all
I got my California Driving license in July 09, shortly after my POE. I will soon be moving to FL to take a job.
I just want to ask if any Expats have had any bad experiences getting a new license when moving to another state.
Was it just a matter of filling in forms? Did you have to take the written test? Did you have to take a road test???
I know the tests are easy but I'm freaking out a little at the prospect of potentially mucking up and losing my license!
Will I be treat the same as a US citizen now that I have 7 months of clean US driving history?

Thanks for your help.

Poppy girl

http://www.flhsmv.gov/dhsmv/newflres.html

Bob

Depends entirely on the state you are moving too.

Usually, you just hand over the form, a wedge of money and give them your details.

Some states require you to do the theory test or the eye test and with others, it depends on your age or how long you've had your license, in Maine if your under 21 you have to retake the test but don't need a licensed driver with you nor hold a permit for x amount of months first kind of thing.

ri_mischief

I went from RI to CA and just had to do eyesight and theory test....hope that helps!

Poppy girl

http://www.dmvflorida.org/drivers-license-oos.shtml

chopper40

Poppy Girl thanks for the link!
Looks like I'll be OK ... just a vision test.
cheers!

Poppy girl

As Bob said they are all different, but looks like you are lucky

My Illinois DL was a test and it was a nightmare, I passed just, then I had to change it to a CA one that was a test and driving, and then I had a LA one which was just vision.

Steerpike

I just traded in my CA DL for an AZ DL. I also re-registered my car.

I went to the DMV and filled out a form or two for the registration; handed over the CA certificate of title, and was given an AZ one in its place, together with a (super cool!) AZ plate (I love the basic AZ plate, with the hills, the cactus, and the smoke rising). I then asked about Drivers License - 'over there' she pointed. Went 'over there', and within 15 minutes had a shiny new AZ DL, and a hole punched through my CA one. No test, no nothing. Just a few bucks

I'm not convinced I had to do this as I maintain a residence in CA, but I feel my car is way to conspicuous with a CA plate ...

lifehouse51

Traded in my California Driver's License and License plate for the Texas ones 2 years ago for the same reason. Only needed to take a vision test and no additional driving test needed. They however, confiscated my California DL

Steerpike

Since I'm expecting to spend 100% of 2010 working in AZ, I am going to file only AZ state taxes, and I was advised that in order to avoid CA breathing down my neck, I should take 'steps' to establish AZ residency (over and above buying a condo here!), so registration and license were on the list of recommended steps.