July 2010

Can I drive in California with an out of state driver's license or out of country license?

Roberto from Los Angeles asks: Hi Johnny, i am an international student of music, and i've been in LA for a year and a half, and probably i will stay another 2 years. my question is if i can drive in california with my country's driving license. i know a lot of people have asked you that before, but yet is not clear to me, because everybody asks like if they were visiting as tourists. i want to know if it doesn't matter in which status are you (tourist,student,worker etc.) thanks for your time and i hope i've been clear enough.

Roberto, you polite fellow you,

According to the official CA DMV website, if you are a visitor in California over 18 and have a valid driver license from your home state or country, you may drive in this state without getting a California driver license as long as your home state license remains valid.

If you become a California resident, you must get a California driver license within 10 days. Residency is established by voting in a California election, paying resident tuition, filing for a homeowner’s property tax exemption, or any other privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents.

Here's the link if you would like more info: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.htm#two500

Hope that helps, thanks Roberto!

Jonny Driving School
DrivingSchoolProgram.com

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