California Driving License?

[Dynamo]

This is a quick question about paperwork for getting a driving license,
specifically relative to the California DMV.

To get the learning permit, which I'll do in the next few days, I need
to present the I-94. This is fine - it's all present and correct, and I
have all the paperwork necessary to present myself, prove my legal right
to be in the country and then collect the permit.

But what do I do when it comes to getting a license? I still need to
prove my legal status, and it's possible - likely - that the I-94 will
have expired by that date.

I will, though, have already gone through the application for AOS.

At this point, will I have any form of evidence that would be sufficient
to prove my legal status to persons at the DMV and enable me to take the
driving test? I already have my social security number, and by that
point will have a permit - will any of this be sufficient to take the
test and be issued with a California driver's license?

Thanks for any advice and/or experience,

Rob.

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[Jason Humphries]

If you have a temporary permit (which you get from showing passport,
I-94 etc at the DMV) all you need to do to get the actual photo
license is take and pass your driving test

(and the written, multiple choice test before that)

I got my Cali license in the mail last week - took about 10 weeks from
passing my test to receiving it in the mail.

Jason

[CaliforniaBride]

This is a quick question about paperwork for getting a driving license, specifically relative to the California DMV. To get the learning permit, which I'll do in the next few days, I need to present the I-94. This is fine - it's all present and correct, and I have all the paperwork necessary to present myself, prove my legal right to be in the country and then collect the permit. But what do I do when it comes to getting a license? I still need to prove my legal status, and it's possible - likely - that the I-94 will have expired by that date. I will, though, have already gone through the application for AOS. At this point, will I have any form of evidence that would be sufficient to prove my legal status to persons at the DMV and enable me to take the driving test? I already have my social security number, and by that point will have a permit - will any of this be sufficient to take the test and be issued with a California driver's license? Thanks for any advice and/or experience, Rob.

I took my driving test on Sep 30th 2004. When I went to take the theory
test I had to fill in a form and produce my passport with I-94. They
entered me into the system. After passing the theory test I had to call
and make a driving appointment. When I returned for this appointment
they did not check my status as this was aready verified they just
checked my ID. So you won't have any problem taking your test as long
as you have picture ID to prove who you are.

Oh, and don't forget to take your UK license with you otherwise you will
need to take a licensed driver with you.

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[inquisitive40]

I took my driving test on Sep 30th 2004. When I went to take the theory test I had to fill in a form and produce my passport with I-94. They entered me into the system. After passing the theory test I had to call and make a driving appointment. When I returned for this appointment they did not check my status as this was aready verified they just checked my ID. So you won't have any problem taking your test as long as you have picture ID to prove who you are. Oh, and don't forget to take your UK license with you otherwise you will need to take a licensed driver with you.

Also a point here in SF Bay area (think it is the same in all CA) but
you don't actually need a learning permit,just bring a licensed driver
with you to the test center, also in our local offices you can go in
take the written test and then go straight and do the driving part of
the test. Once done they will give you a slip which shows you that you
have passed and you basically have a receipt that is valid until you get
your license in the mail. Here in SF bay area local office it takes only
about 10 days to get it in the mail (my wife had to redo the written we
moved back here and also had to get her license replaced when we got
married and each time it was about 10 days)
Patrick

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inquisitive40
Posted via http://britishexpats.com

[USA & Pakistan]

This is a quick question about paperwork for getting a driving license, specifically relative to the California DMV. To get the learning permit, which I'll do in the next few days, I need to present the I-94. This is fine - it's all present and correct, and I have all the paperwork necessary to present myself, prove my legal right to be in the country and then collect the permit. But what do I do when it comes to getting a license? I still need to prove my legal status, and it's possible - likely - that the I-94 will have expired by that date. I will, though, have already gone through the application for AOS. At this point, will I have any form of evidence that would be sufficient to prove my legal status to persons at the DMV and enable me to take the driving test? I already have my social security number, and by that point will have a permit - will any of this be sufficient to take the test and be issued with a California driver's license? Thanks for any advice and/or experience, Rob.

Hi Rob,

Here is a link that was on here last month with someone having the same
problem in Virginia. I dont know about California, but some states
require a valid EAD.

http://www.britishexpats.com/forum/s...&highlight=EA-
D+drivers+license

Good Luck!
Marnee

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Posted via http://britishexpats.com

[CaliforniaBride]

Also a point here in SF Bay area (think it is the same in all CA) but you don't actually need a learning permit,just bring a licensed driver with you to the test center, also in our local offices you can go in take the written test and then go straight and do the driving part of the test. Once done they will give you a slip which shows you that you have passed and you basically have a receipt that is valid until you get your license in the mail. Here in SF bay area local office it takes only about 10 days to get it in the mail (my wife had to redo the written we moved back here and also had to get her license replaced when we got married and each time it was about 10 days) Patrick

[QUOTE=inquisitive40]Also a point here in SF Bay area (think it is the
same in all CA) but you don't actually need a learning permit,just bring
a licensed driver with you to the test center, [/quote}

Not exactly.

The process is that you have to take the theory test if you have no
license. If you pass the theory test then you are given a piece of
paper that allows you to drive but only with a licensed driver in the
car with you, that's your learner's permit. When you come back for the
driving part of the test you must bring a licensed driver with you. If
you pass that then you are free to drive.

BUT if you hold a license from a non US country then it's a moot point.
You still have to take the theory test, which awards you your learner's
permit, but you can continue to drive on your non US license, without a
licensed driver in the car with you. When you come back for the driving
test you don't have to bring a licensed driver with you because you have
a valid license.

In both instances if you pass then you will be issued an interim license
which is basically a slip of paper that allows you to drive until your
laminated one comes through the post.

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...ghlight=drive-
r#post1705645

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[inquisitive40]

[QUOTE]

Also a point here in SF Bay area (think it is the same in all CA) but you don't actually need a learning permit,just bring a licensed driver with you to the test center, [/quote} Not exactly. The process is that you have to take the theory test if you have no license. If you pass the theory test then you are given a piece of paper that allows you to drive but only with a licensed driver in the car with you, that's your learner's permit. When you come back for the driving part of the test you must bring a licensed driver with you. If you pass that then you are free to drive. BUT if you hold a license from a non US country then it's a moot point. You still have to take the theory test, which awards you your learner's permit, but you can continue to drive on your non US license, without a licensed driver in the car with you. When you come back for the driving test you don't have to bring a licensed driver with you because you have a valid license. In both instances if you pass then you will be issued an interim license which is basically a slip of paper that allows you to drive until your laminated one comes through the post. http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...highlight=dri- ver#post1705645

The part I am not sure of and as far as I know depends on the area is
that if one has already got a driving license from another country they
should be able to take the practical part of the driving test there and
then. The idea of taking the written test and then later taking the
practical part is for a brand new driver to get practice driving, so if
you already are an experienced driver I would think one could
immediately take the driving test. I know my wife had that option here
locally when we moved here, even though it was not a foreign license she
would still have been able to take the practical part if necessary on
the same day.
I think I will get on the phone tomorrow and see what their rules are
again though, maybe a way to deal with it would be to make a practical
driving test appointment first and in the meantime do the written test
prior to the appointment and so have it ready for the appointment.
Patrick

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inquisitive40
Posted via http://britishexpats.com

[CaliforniaBride]

The part I am not sure of and as far as I know depends on the area is that if one has already got a driving license from another country they should be able to take the practical part of the driving test there and then. The idea of taking the written test and then later taking the practical part is for a brand new driver to get practice driving, so if you already are an experienced driver I would think one could immediately take the driving test. I know my wife had that option here locally when we moved here, even though it was not a foreign license she would still have been able to take the practical part if necessary on the same day. I think I will get on the phone tomorrow and see what their rules are again though, maybe a way to deal with it would be to make a practical driving test appointment first and in the meantime do the written test prior to the appointment and so have it ready for the appointment. Patrick

Absolutely not. In California you must take both the theory and then
the driving test if you have a non US license. If you have an out of
state license then you can just take the theory test.



If your wife has a license from another state then she does not have to
take the driving part of the test. Whether or not your local office
allows you to schedule same day appointments I have no idea.




It's all here http://www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.htm#2500

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[inquisitive40]

Absolutely not. In California you must take both the theory and then the driving test if you have a non US license. If you have an out of state license then you can just take the theory test. If your wife has a license from another state then she does not have to take the driving part of the test. Whether or not your local office allows you to schedule same day appointments I have no idea. It's all here http://www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.htm#2500

I know you have to take both, as stated:
"You will then be issued a permit if you have never been licensed
before. When you practice, you must have an accompanying adult who is 25
years of age or older, with a valid California license. This person must
be close enough to you to take control of the vehicle if necessary. It
is illegal for you to drive alone.
If you have a license from another country, you will be required to take
a driving test. If you have a license from another state, the driving
test can be waived. "

My point is that the rules are pretty much there for a non-driver to get
a permit to drive, a lot of people have told me that I can go take the
written and then do the practical, again I will call tomorrow to verify
this, hopefully this is possible here. I am sure different DMV offices
have different local rules depending on their work loads, i.e. if there
are too many people turning up for on the day written and practical
tests, then maybe they have the rules set accordingly. Again I will be
calling them tomorrow to see what the exact rules are, it is from people
telling me what they did that I am thinking both can be done at the same
time, i.e. take the written exam, pass the written exam and then go and
queue and take the practical exam.
Will be on the phone bright and early tomorrow to verify what there
normal policy is.
Patrick

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inquisitive40
Posted via http://britishexpats.com

[CaliforniaBride]

I know you have to take both, as stated: "You will then be issued a permit if you have never been licensed before. When you practice, you must have an accompanying adult who is 25 years of age or older, with a valid California license. This person must be close enough to you to take control of the vehicle if necessary. It is illegal for you to drive alone. If you have a license from another country, you will be required to take a driving test. If you have a license from another state, the driving test can be waived. " My point is that the rules are pretty much there for a non-driver to get a permit to drive, a lot of people have told me that I can go take the written and then do the practical, again I will call tomorrow to verify this, hopefully this is possible here. I am sure different DMV offices have different local rules depending on their work loads, i.e. if there are too many people turning up for on the day written and practical tests, then maybe they have the rules set accordingly. Again I will be calling them tomorrow to see what the exact rules are, it is from people telling me what they did that I am thinking both can be done at the same time, i.e. take the written exam, pass the written exam and then go and queue and take the practical exam. Will be on the phone bright and early tomorrow to verify what there normal policy is. Patrick

Aaaargh! Not got your EAD yet then?

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Posted via http://britishexpats.com

[inquisitive40]

Aaaargh! Not got your EAD yet then?

Yup, get EAD next Tuesday and will then wait to get SSN before
attempting to get license.
Hopefully I will get someone intelligent tomorrow and get an answer for
my local office on whether they allow both written and practical test on
the same day. What was the reason they gave you in LA for not letting
you take it the same day?
Patrick

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inquisitive40
Posted via http://britishexpats.com

[CaliforniaBride]

Yup, get EAD next Tuesday and will then wait to get SSN before attempting to get license. Hopefully I will get someone intelligent tomorrow and get an answer for my local office on whether they allow both written and practical test on the same day. What was the reason they gave you in LA for not letting you take it the same day? Patrick

As I said, I don't have a clue as to whether your local office allow
same day tests. You said: Also a point here in SF Bay area (think it is
the same in all CA) but you don't actually need a learning permit,just
bring a licensed driver with you to the test center".

Now that isn't correct as you HAVE to get a learners permit as that is
what you get when you take the theory test and you HAVE to take the
theory test.

Hopefully you will get someone intelligent tomorrow. You might, it's my
day off

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[inquisitive40]

As I said, I don't have a clue as to whether your local office allow same day tests. You said: Also a point here in SF Bay area (think it is the same in all CA) but you don't actually need a learning permit,just bring a licensed driver with you to the test center". Now that isn't correct as you HAVE to get a learners permit as that is what you get when you take the theory test and you HAVE to take the theory test. Hopefully you will get someone intelligent tomorrow. You might, it's my day off

My point here was that there may not be a reason to go get a learning
permit and then come back the following week to take the test. Again did
someone tell you that you had to come back another day to take the
practical test? As far as a learning permit goes, this is just
symantecs, evidence that you have passed the written test.
Patrick

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inquisitive40
Posted via http://britishexpats.com

[inquisitive40]

My point here was that there may not be a reason to go get a learning permit and then come back the following week to take the test. Again did someone tell you that you had to come back another day to take the practical test? As far as a learning permit goes, this is just symantecs, evidence that you have passed the written test. Patrick

Ok reporting back.
Just off the phone, you are correct CaliforniaBride, to schedule a
practical driving test appointment I need a permit number ID and so that
means that the written test has to be done first and only then can the
appointment for the practical test be made and so one would have to be
VERY lucky to get a same day appointment .
Patrick

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inquisitive40
Posted via http://britishexpats.com