Getting a californian driverslicence?

Hammelby you're ina Catch 22 situation. To get an international license you need a valid license. MOST countries honor licenses from other countries if you are traveling even on an extended basis. A friend once bought a cheap car and drove all over Europe for 6 months.

Again it is a circluar voyage in many countries for a job. You have to have a solid prove-able job offer to get a work permit- you need a work permit to get a job! Of course, as mentioned, you'd need auto insurance.

I couldn't find anything at the website on foreign visitor licensing but look yourself and request information http://www.dmv.ca.gov/

happyfilmluvguy said:

There are a few ways of obtaining legal residency. One is voting in an election, I believe.

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Nope. You cannot vote in a California election unless you have legal residency first.

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Marc Chevalier said:

Nope. You cannot vote in a California election unless you have legal residency first.

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Nope, have to be be a U.S. Citizen to vote in an election. Unless it's an election for, I think a school board, where some districts let anyone vote.:eusa_doh: Of course you must have legal residency in California, which is you've lived in the district for 30 days.

Miss Neecerie said:

Which unfortunatly doesn't really stop them from driving...I was lucky that the -car- had insurance...even if the guy didnt have a license...so the 5k worth of damage was covered.

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That's why it's a good idea to get under/uninsured motorist coverage as well. All my cars have it. I know a lot of people who've have been hit by somebody with no licence/registration/insurance. It can be a REAL headache. Not to mention the number of hit-and-runs that go on around here.

Doh! said:

If you're successful and are granted a license, here are some L.A. driving tips:

• When making a left turn, don't bother using a turn signal (i.e. "blinker")-- those are for suckers.
  
• Also, if turning left and the light turns red, don't sweat it: a good 4 or 5 cars can still go left after the light is red. Pedestrians will move out of the way.
  
• Don't buy into the myth that you shouldn't talk on a cell phone and drive at the same time -- EVERYBODY does it so it must be OK.
  
• At a 4-way intersection with stop signs all around, you always have the right-of-way. It doesn't matter if the other guy was there first or is to the right of you.
  
• Stop signs themselves are really only there as a suggestion. If you have the time, go ahead and stop. If not, no problem -- you have places to be.

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Don't forget that it's okay to pass on a double yellow, or the breakdown lane if you're on a freeway. And that you must follow at a distance no greater then 6 inches from the bumper of the car in front of you.

Lincsong said:

Nope, have to be be a U.S. Citizen to vote in an election. Unless it's an election for, I think a school board, where some districts let anyone vote.:eusa_doh: Of course you must have legal residency in California, which is you've lived in the district for 30 days.

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That's what I was trying to remember. I need to read the California laws again.. What does it take to become a US Citizen?

this is a complex situation. You can not come here on a vacation visa and get a job. Well you can but then you will be undocumented and be working under the table like many of our friends from the south of the border. You can not get a drivers license with out being a citazen, or having recedency and insurance, and the appropriate paper work. You do have yourself in a catch 22 my friend. Homeland security is cracking down on people that have come here on vacation visa's and student visa's and disappeared. Since the 911 terrorests were here on them. However they do not seem to chase people that do not have a paper trail and sneek accross the border[huh] . I suggest you get more research done and fill out the appropriate paperwork before just comming here and assuming you can get a job. You may find yourself on a plane back if you papers are not in order or with out a job. Border security only seems to apply here to those from europe for some reason.

however there are thousands driving on CA roads with no insurance and no license. Just don't crash and don't get pulled over. you don't need either to buy a car. Just to register it.

Oh I just reread your post. Sounds like you have it down right. first vacation visa, find an employer then apply for a work permit. then you get employed, then you get residency, then you can get the license.

keep in mind work visa's are fairly difficult to get and take a lot of time and paperwork. theyre also only good for 6 months at a time so you will need to remind your employer when you visa is about to come up. as for a drivers liscense you need to have a permanent resident card (aka green card cus its green).

More California Rules of the Road

Doh! said:

If you're successful and are granted a license, here are some L.A. driving tips:
When making a left turn, don't bother using a turn signal (i.e. "blinker")-- those are for suckers.
Also, if turning left and the light turns red, don't sweat it: a good 4 or 5 cars can still go left after the light is red. Pedestrians will move out of the way.
Don't buy into the myth that you shouldn't talk on a cell phone and drive at the same time -- EVERYBODY does it so it must be OK.
At a 4-way intersection with stop signs all around, you always have the right-of-way. It doesn't matter if the other guy was there first or is to the right of you.
Stop signs themselves are really only there as a suggestion. If you have the time, go ahead and stop. If not, no problem -- you have places to be.

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Voodoo Kitten said:

Don't forget that it's okay to pass on a double yellow, or the breakdown lane if you're on a freeway. And that you must follow at a distance no greater then 6 inches from the bumper of the car in front of you.

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Let's not forget these rules, which you're sure to need each and every day:

If a car ahead of you to either side signals to change into your lane, SPEED UP!

If you're planning to change lanes, DON'T SIGNAL! Why give the other sucker fair warning?

Maybe the DMV should change their handbook. Inspiring rules, they are!

gpwpat said:

Border security only seems to apply here to those from Europe for some reason.

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Wrong. Do you know how many thousands of people come here from ALL OVER THE WORLD on student or work visas? Do you actually believe that the only students and workers who arrive here legitimately (if temporarily) are from Europe? Excluding Antarctica, there are four other continents that you've inexplicably chosen to dismiss. [huh]

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C'mon guys, let's stay on topic. This isn't a discussion about border security or such. It's about how to obtain a California Driver's License. So far we know the applicant, if not a U.S. Citizen must be a legal resident alien, must take a driving course from a State of California licensed school, then apply, take and pass a written and driving test at an office of the Department of Motor Vehicles.

I have a question, how do you plan to get insurance and register your car without a social security number ????

I dont think he does..I am assuming here...that he was planning on renting something...BUT....didnt have a DL in home country.....so thought rather then getting one there first.....and then being able to rent....

that he would just get a california one for his 'scouting' for a job trip...if that was possible.

Rental agreements can add on insurance.

Car rentals have limitations as to not below a certain age also. I don't know if they have any rules as to how long you've been driving too.

If you can't get a licence in California, how about another state? I found this for Utah, which isn't that far.

http://driverlicense.utah.gov/new.html
Driving Privilege Card – Legal Presence (Applicant not qualified for social security number)
Passport with I-19 form or other valid documentation to establish legal presence (No photocopies)
Two different documents showing applicant’s Utah resident address (Utility bills, insurance policy, etc.)
(Card valid to expiration of legal presence or five years, whichever is comes first)

I am not sure what the I-19 form is, and whether you can get one, but at least there is one state (maybe more) than do give licences to non-resident aliens.

***You would have to live in Utah for a while though. ***

I got an international drivers license when I was travelling overseas for work and drove everywhere with it. In Australia it cost $25.Just went to the Aust consulate and signed some papers, showed em my license and off I went.

koopkooper said:

I got an international drivers license when I was travelling overseas for work and drove everywhere with it. In Australia it cost $25.Just went to the Aust consulate and signed some papers, showed em my license and off I went.

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Which would be the ideal solution...except that he doesnt have a DL in Denmark.

And evidently, he would use up quite a bit of his travel to CA money, on getting that license.

Hence him trying to figure out if getting a California one was a) possible and b)cheaper.

Hm, I had to go on the DMV website to see about renewal for my car.

It appears that non-resident legal aliens may be able to get a licence in CA too.

To get a licence you have to have a social security card or a document such as a green card. But also listed is:

Valid foreign passport with a valid Record of Arrival/Departure (form I-94)

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So, I assume that all you would have to do is get a visa. Probably any old visa will do, business, pleasure, student, etc. So, I would call or visit the local US Embassy and see if you can get a visa. In fact, I believe that if you are considering changing your status after you arrive, that you have to get a visa.

Much obliged!

Oh my! Thanks for the many advices! I especially liked the streetwise tips!! Yep, i guess i have to discard that european driving politely-signaling mentality and get used to the ratrace you talked about!! lol
But first I guess filmluvguy have to teach me how to ninja the bus grid.

But, yes you are all right, it is a catch 22 situation for sure!

gwpat:Yes that is exactly what i have to do
golwyn girl: Yea.. he he.. In order to get a licence i need an insurance, and in order to get an insurance i need licence? right? :eusa_doh:
Miss Neecerie: Thanks for recapping. I would wish to buy a car if i can, but licence first i guess.
Tourbilion: that is so sweet of you, detective! Ah yes.. I remember filling out the I-94 on the plane before touchdown on a previous trip, and had to carry it around at all times till departure. So i expect I get one automatically! But.. yes i see that you have to live in Utah for six monts to earn the right to take a licence? And a tourist Visa is only good for 3 months at a time

Chanches of getting a work/residence permit seems small i know, even though i have a strong portfolio, a handfull of top notch references and patience. Well.. Ill take one plan at a time, and when plan A-B-C-D is exhausted-- ill try Canadas filmindustry instead

First I will give the three LA based storyboard agencies a shot, then get portfolio-appointments at the production companys, and see if they want to make a deal. I dont think I want to do work under the table, unless that deal is a visa or something very valuable for my curriculum.

If you are interested in introducing me to people in your network, i would sure be gratefull and promise to treat them nice. I normally prefer to "earn" my contacts.. But since the tough is getting tougher i think i could need all the helping hands i can get In return I could buy you some danish WW2 memorabilia, draw for you, mow your lawn (not applicable for non california residents)

PS. Networking fields: Motion pictures/TV-series/Computergames/Advertisment & commercialfilms/childrensbooks-publishing.
And here is my portfolio & curriculum if you/they want to take a peek