Driving in California with a foreign driver license [closed]
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I've recently moved to California as a postdoctoral researcher. I'm here with the J-1 visa (exchange visitor program) which expires after one year.
I'm planning to rent a car to visit California. So I'm wondering whether I need to get a California driver license or I can use the one issued by my home country.
From what I understood (see this related question), any foreign person can drive in California with his/her foreign driver license unless he/she is a resident of California. My problem is that I do not know if I am or not considered a resident of California.
Since I will stay in California for (at most) one year, I would say that this constitutes enough evidence to prove that I am not a resident. However, I would love to hear any experience/comment/suggestion from those of you that have been in a similar situation.
Thank you so much for your help.
usa driving driving-licenses california
asked Jul 1 at 22:33
Ludwig
1163
closed as off-topic by gerrit, Newton, Giorgio, CGCampbell, Ali Awan Jul 2 at 13:49
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Questions about immigration or moving for extended periods of time (studies or employment, among others) are off-topic. Our sister site, Expatriates Stack Exchange might be a better place to ask. See also the meta post Is it OK to ask questions about immigration?." – gerrit, Newton, Giorgio, CGCampbell, Ali Awan
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
favorite
I've recently moved to California as a postdoctoral researcher. I'm here with the J-1 visa (exchange visitor program) which expires after one year.
I'm planning to rent a car to visit California. So I'm wondering whether I need to get a California driver license or I can use the one issued by my home country.
From what I understood (see this related question), any foreign person can drive in California with his/her foreign driver license unless he/she is a resident of California. My problem is that I do not know if I am or not considered a resident of California.
Since I will stay in California for (at most) one year, I would say that this constitutes enough evidence to prove that I am not a resident. However, I would love to hear any experience/comment/suggestion from those of you that have been in a similar situation.
Thank you so much for your help.
usa driving driving-licenses california
asked Jul 1 at 22:33
Ludwig
1163
closed as off-topic by gerrit, Newton, Giorgio, CGCampbell, Ali Awan Jul 2 at 13:49
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Questions about immigration or moving for extended periods of time (studies or employment, among others) are off-topic. Our sister site, Expatriates Stack Exchange might be a better place to ask. See also the meta post Is it OK to ask questions about immigration?." – gerrit, Newton, Giorgio, CGCampbell, Ali Awan
2
This seems to be a better fit for Expatriates.
– phoog
Jul 1 at 22:48
@phoog, shall I answer here, or wait until it's moved to Expatriates?
– David
Jul 1 at 22:49
Relevant:If you are a visitor in California over 18 and have a valid driver license (DL) from your home state or country, you may drive in this state without getting a California DL as long as your home state DL remains valid. src: dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/dl/dl_info#two500
– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Jul 1 at 22:53
@RoddyoftheFrozenPeas Except that if one becomes a California resident, one must get a California license. See my answer below.
– David
Jul 1 at 22:55
@David -- It's hard to become a resident, though. It's one of those things you have to do intentionally. The OP is not one for tuition purposes, nor due to voting, so all that's left as a possibility is one of the tax-related avenues.
– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Jul 2 at 0:20
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
favorite
up vote
3
down vote
favorite
I've recently moved to California as a postdoctoral researcher. I'm here with the J-1 visa (exchange visitor program) which expires after one year.
I'm planning to rent a car to visit California. So I'm wondering whether I need to get a California driver license or I can use the one issued by my home country.
From what I understood (see this related question), any foreign person can drive in California with his/her foreign driver license unless he/she is a resident of California. My problem is that I do not know if I am or not considered a resident of California.
Since I will stay in California for (at most) one year, I would say that this constitutes enough evidence to prove that I am not a resident. However, I would love to hear any experience/comment/suggestion from those of you that have been in a similar situation.
Thank you so much for your help.
usa driving driving-licenses california
asked Jul 1 at 22:33
Ludwig
1163
I've recently moved to California as a postdoctoral researcher. I'm here with the J-1 visa (exchange visitor program) which expires after one year.
I'm planning to rent a car to visit California. So I'm wondering whether I need to get a California driver license or I can use the one issued by my home country.
From what I understood (see this related question), any foreign person can drive in California with his/her foreign driver license unless he/she is a resident of California. My problem is that I do not know if I am or not considered a resident of California.
Since I will stay in California for (at most) one year, I would say that this constitutes enough evidence to prove that I am not a resident. However, I would love to hear any experience/comment/suggestion from those of you that have been in a similar situation.
Thank you so much for your help.
usa driving driving-licenses california
asked Jul 1 at 22:33
Ludwig
1163
asked Jul 1 at 22:33
Ludwig
1163
asked Jul 1 at 22:33
Ludwig
1163
asked Jul 1 at 22:33
Ludwig
1163
1163
closed as off-topic by gerrit, Newton, Giorgio, CGCampbell, Ali Awan Jul 2 at 13:49
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Questions about immigration or moving for extended periods of time (studies or employment, among others) are off-topic. Our sister site, Expatriates Stack Exchange might be a better place to ask. See also the meta post Is it OK to ask questions about immigration?." – gerrit, Newton, Giorgio, CGCampbell, Ali Awan
closed as off-topic by gerrit, Newton, Giorgio, CGCampbell, Ali Awan Jul 2 at 13:49
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Questions about immigration or moving for extended periods of time (studies or employment, among others) are off-topic. Our sister site, Expatriates Stack Exchange might be a better place to ask. See also the meta post Is it OK to ask questions about immigration?." – gerrit, Newton, Giorgio, CGCampbell, Ali Awan
2
This seems to be a better fit for Expatriates.
– phoog
Jul 1 at 22:48
@phoog, shall I answer here, or wait until it's moved to Expatriates?
– David
Jul 1 at 22:49
Relevant:If you are a visitor in California over 18 and have a valid driver license (DL) from your home state or country, you may drive in this state without getting a California DL as long as your home state DL remains valid. src: dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/dl/dl_info#two500
– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Jul 1 at 22:53
@RoddyoftheFrozenPeas Except that if one becomes a California resident, one must get a California license. See my answer below.
– David
Jul 1 at 22:55
@David -- It's hard to become a resident, though. It's one of those things you have to do intentionally. The OP is not one for tuition purposes, nor due to voting, so all that's left as a possibility is one of the tax-related avenues.
– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Jul 2 at 0:20
add a comment |Â
2
This seems to be a better fit for Expatriates.
– phoog
Jul 1 at 22:48
@phoog, shall I answer here, or wait until it's moved to Expatriates?
– David
Jul 1 at 22:49
Relevant:If you are a visitor in California over 18 and have a valid driver license (DL) from your home state or country, you may drive in this state without getting a California DL as long as your home state DL remains valid. src: dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/dl/dl_info#two500
– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Jul 1 at 22:53
@RoddyoftheFrozenPeas Except that if one becomes a California resident, one must get a California license. See my answer below.
– David
Jul 1 at 22:55
@David -- It's hard to become a resident, though. It's one of those things you have to do intentionally. The OP is not one for tuition purposes, nor due to voting, so all that's left as a possibility is one of the tax-related avenues.
– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Jul 2 at 0:20
2
2
This seems to be a better fit for Expatriates.
– phoog
Jul 1 at 22:48
This seems to be a better fit for Expatriates.
– phoog
Jul 1 at 22:48
@phoog, shall I answer here, or wait until it's moved to Expatriates?
– David
Jul 1 at 22:49
@phoog, shall I answer here, or wait until it's moved to Expatriates?
– David
Jul 1 at 22:49
Relevant:
If you are a visitor in California over 18 and have a valid driver license (DL) from your home state or country, you may drive in this state without getting a California DL as long as your home state DL remains valid. src: dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/dl/dl_info#two500– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Jul 1 at 22:53
Relevant:
If you are a visitor in California over 18 and have a valid driver license (DL) from your home state or country, you may drive in this state without getting a California DL as long as your home state DL remains valid. src: dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/dl/dl_info#two500– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Jul 1 at 22:53
@RoddyoftheFrozenPeas Except that if one becomes a California resident, one must get a California license. See my answer below.
– David
Jul 1 at 22:55
@RoddyoftheFrozenPeas Except that if one becomes a California resident, one must get a California license. See my answer below.
– David
Jul 1 at 22:55
@David -- It's hard to become a resident, though. It's one of those things you have to do intentionally. The OP is not one for tuition purposes, nor due to voting, so all that's left as a possibility is one of the tax-related avenues.
– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Jul 2 at 0:20
@David -- It's hard to become a resident, though. It's one of those things you have to do intentionally. The OP is not one for tuition purposes, nor due to voting, so all that's left as a possibility is one of the tax-related avenues.
– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Jul 2 at 0:20
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
up vote
1
down vote
As far as I can understand from this, you should be able to use your own driver's license.
"...California does recognize a valid driver license that is issued by a foreign jurisdiction (country, state, territory) of which the license holder is a resident..."
You are still a resident of you own country; as long as your driver's license is valid you should not have a problem.
answered Jul 1 at 22:50
Max
8,40611528
1
Keep in mind that the language quoted by @Max is operative only if the driver has not become a resident. If the driver has done so, or has taken some action that may be so construed, it could be an issue. If the OP is polite and respectful with law enforcement, I think he should have no trouble on this account,
– David
Jul 2 at 2:06
Downvote, because I had my car taken away and paid several thousand dollars because of this exact rule! Your answer follows common sense but it will not protect @David if the police officer asks, "Do you live in California" and he answers "yes".
– Douglas Held
Jul 2 at 9:20
1
@DouglasHald - Police officers are wrong sometimes. They're not lawyers, just public servants. What did the courts say? Of course, it you met the criteria for a California resident (tuition, voting, taxes, etc), then it was you who were wrong.
– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Jul 2 at 12:47
1
@Roddy, You've got that backwards. California law presumes that if you are driving in California you are a California resident and it is your burden to rebut that presumption with evidence that you meet the criteria to be resident somewhere else. See CVC 12505(b).
– Dennis
Jul 2 at 19:04
1
@Dennis - The first line of that law contradicts you directly:...[R]esidency shall be determined as a person’s state of domicile. “State of domicile†means the state where a person has his or her true, fixed, and permanent home and principal residence and to which he or she has manifested the intention of returning whenever he or she is absent.
– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Jul 2 at 21:49
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
1
down vote
On this page, California DMV addresses who's a resident:
If you become a California resident, you must get a California DL within ten (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.
Thus, if you don't do the listed things, it looks like you can continue to use a valid drivers license from your home country. If that license is printed in a language other than English, you should obtain an International Drivers Permit (which is actually not a license, but only a translation into English of your license) to ease any interaction you might have with the authorities here.
answered Jul 1 at 22:53
David
54817
Thanks for your answer! I don't do the listed things, but the only thing that I'm worried about is the last sentence, that is "...any other privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents". In particular, is having a SSN (Social Security Number) and/or a salary considered a privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents?
– Ludwig
Jul 2 at 0:13
@Ludwig You're welcome. I don't think receiving a salary would be a "privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents," as the quid pro quo of the salary is the work you're doing, not your presence. Having an SSN is a more difficult question, as the Social Security Administration says ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10096.pdf that one who is "lawfully present" (or going to be so in the future) in the US can obtain a SSN. However, it's not clear that "lawfully present" alone constitutes "residency." I'd be more comfortable arguing that it does not, but I'm not experienced here.
– David
Jul 2 at 1:49
1
I am afraid if you "moved to California" and are not "visiting California" then you are resident. If a police officer catches you and is a jerk, he may say to you (as he said to me), "You have ten days since moving here to continue using your Wyoming license. After that, you are an unlicensed driver. I get to take your car," and then, he took my car!
– Douglas Held
Jul 2 at 9:25
1
@DouglasHeld The police officer is doing his job in enforcing the law. That does not make him a jerk.
– gerrit
Jul 2 at 10:58
1
"or any other privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents." -- This is maximally fuzzy: Essentially it says you aren't a resident unless you are one. Is there a comprehensive lists of those benefits? (At least, it is better than it used to be, where one criteria for being a resident was "Getting a California driving licence.")
– npl
Jul 2 at 11:32
 |Â
show 1 more comment
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
1
down vote
As far as I can understand from this, you should be able to use your own driver's license.
"...California does recognize a valid driver license that is issued by a foreign jurisdiction (country, state, territory) of which the license holder is a resident..."
You are still a resident of you own country; as long as your driver's license is valid you should not have a problem.
answered Jul 1 at 22:50
Max
8,40611528
1
Keep in mind that the language quoted by @Max is operative only if the driver has not become a resident. If the driver has done so, or has taken some action that may be so construed, it could be an issue. If the OP is polite and respectful with law enforcement, I think he should have no trouble on this account,
– David
Jul 2 at 2:06
Downvote, because I had my car taken away and paid several thousand dollars because of this exact rule! Your answer follows common sense but it will not protect @David if the police officer asks, "Do you live in California" and he answers "yes".
– Douglas Held
Jul 2 at 9:20
1
@DouglasHald - Police officers are wrong sometimes. They're not lawyers, just public servants. What did the courts say? Of course, it you met the criteria for a California resident (tuition, voting, taxes, etc), then it was you who were wrong.
– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Jul 2 at 12:47
1
@Roddy, You've got that backwards. California law presumes that if you are driving in California you are a California resident and it is your burden to rebut that presumption with evidence that you meet the criteria to be resident somewhere else. See CVC 12505(b).
– Dennis
Jul 2 at 19:04
1
@Dennis - The first line of that law contradicts you directly:...[R]esidency shall be determined as a person’s state of domicile. “State of domicile†means the state where a person has his or her true, fixed, and permanent home and principal residence and to which he or she has manifested the intention of returning whenever he or she is absent.
– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Jul 2 at 21:49
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
1
down vote
As far as I can understand from this, you should be able to use your own driver's license.
"...California does recognize a valid driver license that is issued by a foreign jurisdiction (country, state, territory) of which the license holder is a resident..."
You are still a resident of you own country; as long as your driver's license is valid you should not have a problem.
answered Jul 1 at 22:50
Max
8,40611528
1
Keep in mind that the language quoted by @Max is operative only if the driver has not become a resident. If the driver has done so, or has taken some action that may be so construed, it could be an issue. If the OP is polite and respectful with law enforcement, I think he should have no trouble on this account,
– David
Jul 2 at 2:06
Downvote, because I had my car taken away and paid several thousand dollars because of this exact rule! Your answer follows common sense but it will not protect @David if the police officer asks, "Do you live in California" and he answers "yes".
– Douglas Held
Jul 2 at 9:20
1
@DouglasHald - Police officers are wrong sometimes. They're not lawyers, just public servants. What did the courts say? Of course, it you met the criteria for a California resident (tuition, voting, taxes, etc), then it was you who were wrong.
– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Jul 2 at 12:47
1
@Roddy, You've got that backwards. California law presumes that if you are driving in California you are a California resident and it is your burden to rebut that presumption with evidence that you meet the criteria to be resident somewhere else. See CVC 12505(b).
– Dennis
Jul 2 at 19:04
1
@Dennis - The first line of that law contradicts you directly:...[R]esidency shall be determined as a person’s state of domicile. “State of domicile†means the state where a person has his or her true, fixed, and permanent home and principal residence and to which he or she has manifested the intention of returning whenever he or she is absent.
– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Jul 2 at 21:49
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
As far as I can understand from this, you should be able to use your own driver's license.
"...California does recognize a valid driver license that is issued by a foreign jurisdiction (country, state, territory) of which the license holder is a resident..."
You are still a resident of you own country; as long as your driver's license is valid you should not have a problem.
answered Jul 1 at 22:50
Max
8,40611528
As far as I can understand from this, you should be able to use your own driver's license.
"...California does recognize a valid driver license that is issued by a foreign jurisdiction (country, state, territory) of which the license holder is a resident..."
You are still a resident of you own country; as long as your driver's license is valid you should not have a problem.
answered Jul 1 at 22:50
Max
8,40611528
answered Jul 1 at 22:50
Max
8,40611528
answered Jul 1 at 22:50
Max
8,40611528
answered Jul 1 at 22:50
Max
8,40611528
8,40611528
1
Keep in mind that the language quoted by @Max is operative only if the driver has not become a resident. If the driver has done so, or has taken some action that may be so construed, it could be an issue. If the OP is polite and respectful with law enforcement, I think he should have no trouble on this account,
– David
Jul 2 at 2:06
Downvote, because I had my car taken away and paid several thousand dollars because of this exact rule! Your answer follows common sense but it will not protect @David if the police officer asks, "Do you live in California" and he answers "yes".
– Douglas Held
Jul 2 at 9:20
1
@DouglasHald - Police officers are wrong sometimes. They're not lawyers, just public servants. What did the courts say? Of course, it you met the criteria for a California resident (tuition, voting, taxes, etc), then it was you who were wrong.
– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Jul 2 at 12:47
1
@Roddy, You've got that backwards. California law presumes that if you are driving in California you are a California resident and it is your burden to rebut that presumption with evidence that you meet the criteria to be resident somewhere else. See CVC 12505(b).
– Dennis
Jul 2 at 19:04
1
@Dennis - The first line of that law contradicts you directly:...[R]esidency shall be determined as a person’s state of domicile. “State of domicile†means the state where a person has his or her true, fixed, and permanent home and principal residence and to which he or she has manifested the intention of returning whenever he or she is absent.
– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Jul 2 at 21:49
 |Â
show 1 more comment
1
Keep in mind that the language quoted by @Max is operative only if the driver has not become a resident. If the driver has done so, or has taken some action that may be so construed, it could be an issue. If the OP is polite and respectful with law enforcement, I think he should have no trouble on this account,
– David
Jul 2 at 2:06
Downvote, because I had my car taken away and paid several thousand dollars because of this exact rule! Your answer follows common sense but it will not protect @David if the police officer asks, "Do you live in California" and he answers "yes".
– Douglas Held
Jul 2 at 9:20
1
@DouglasHald - Police officers are wrong sometimes. They're not lawyers, just public servants. What did the courts say? Of course, it you met the criteria for a California resident (tuition, voting, taxes, etc), then it was you who were wrong.
– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Jul 2 at 12:47
1
@Roddy, You've got that backwards. California law presumes that if you are driving in California you are a California resident and it is your burden to rebut that presumption with evidence that you meet the criteria to be resident somewhere else. See CVC 12505(b).
– Dennis
Jul 2 at 19:04
1
@Dennis - The first line of that law contradicts you directly:...[R]esidency shall be determined as a person’s state of domicile. “State of domicile†means the state where a person has his or her true, fixed, and permanent home and principal residence and to which he or she has manifested the intention of returning whenever he or she is absent.
– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Jul 2 at 21:49
1
1
Keep in mind that the language quoted by @Max is operative only if the driver has not become a resident. If the driver has done so, or has taken some action that may be so construed, it could be an issue. If the OP is polite and respectful with law enforcement, I think he should have no trouble on this account,
– David
Jul 2 at 2:06
Keep in mind that the language quoted by @Max is operative only if the driver has not become a resident. If the driver has done so, or has taken some action that may be so construed, it could be an issue. If the OP is polite and respectful with law enforcement, I think he should have no trouble on this account,
– David
Jul 2 at 2:06
Downvote, because I had my car taken away and paid several thousand dollars because of this exact rule! Your answer follows common sense but it will not protect @David if the police officer asks, "Do you live in California" and he answers "yes".
– Douglas Held
Jul 2 at 9:20
Downvote, because I had my car taken away and paid several thousand dollars because of this exact rule! Your answer follows common sense but it will not protect @David if the police officer asks, "Do you live in California" and he answers "yes".
– Douglas Held
Jul 2 at 9:20
1
1
@DouglasHald - Police officers are wrong sometimes. They're not lawyers, just public servants. What did the courts say? Of course, it you met the criteria for a California resident (tuition, voting, taxes, etc), then it was you who were wrong.
– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Jul 2 at 12:47
@DouglasHald - Police officers are wrong sometimes. They're not lawyers, just public servants. What did the courts say? Of course, it you met the criteria for a California resident (tuition, voting, taxes, etc), then it was you who were wrong.
– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Jul 2 at 12:47
1
1
@Roddy, You've got that backwards. California law presumes that if you are driving in California you are a California resident and it is your burden to rebut that presumption with evidence that you meet the criteria to be resident somewhere else. See CVC 12505(b).
– Dennis
Jul 2 at 19:04
@Roddy, You've got that backwards. California law presumes that if you are driving in California you are a California resident and it is your burden to rebut that presumption with evidence that you meet the criteria to be resident somewhere else. See CVC 12505(b).
– Dennis
Jul 2 at 19:04
1
1
@Dennis - The first line of that law contradicts you directly:
...[R]esidency shall be determined as a person’s state of domicile. “State of domicile†means the state where a person has his or her true, fixed, and permanent home and principal residence and to which he or she has manifested the intention of returning whenever he or she is absent.– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Jul 2 at 21:49
@Dennis - The first line of that law contradicts you directly:
...[R]esidency shall be determined as a person’s state of domicile. “State of domicile†means the state where a person has his or her true, fixed, and permanent home and principal residence and to which he or she has manifested the intention of returning whenever he or she is absent.– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Jul 2 at 21:49
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
1
down vote
On this page, California DMV addresses who's a resident:
If you become a California resident, you must get a California DL within ten (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.
Thus, if you don't do the listed things, it looks like you can continue to use a valid drivers license from your home country. If that license is printed in a language other than English, you should obtain an International Drivers Permit (which is actually not a license, but only a translation into English of your license) to ease any interaction you might have with the authorities here.
answered Jul 1 at 22:53
David
54817
Thanks for your answer! I don't do the listed things, but the only thing that I'm worried about is the last sentence, that is "...any other privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents". In particular, is having a SSN (Social Security Number) and/or a salary considered a privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents?
– Ludwig
Jul 2 at 0:13
@Ludwig You're welcome. I don't think receiving a salary would be a "privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents," as the quid pro quo of the salary is the work you're doing, not your presence. Having an SSN is a more difficult question, as the Social Security Administration says ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10096.pdf that one who is "lawfully present" (or going to be so in the future) in the US can obtain a SSN. However, it's not clear that "lawfully present" alone constitutes "residency." I'd be more comfortable arguing that it does not, but I'm not experienced here.
– David
Jul 2 at 1:49
1
I am afraid if you "moved to California" and are not "visiting California" then you are resident. If a police officer catches you and is a jerk, he may say to you (as he said to me), "You have ten days since moving here to continue using your Wyoming license. After that, you are an unlicensed driver. I get to take your car," and then, he took my car!
– Douglas Held
Jul 2 at 9:25
1
@DouglasHeld The police officer is doing his job in enforcing the law. That does not make him a jerk.
– gerrit
Jul 2 at 10:58
1
"or any other privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents." -- This is maximally fuzzy: Essentially it says you aren't a resident unless you are one. Is there a comprehensive lists of those benefits? (At least, it is better than it used to be, where one criteria for being a resident was "Getting a California driving licence.")
– npl
Jul 2 at 11:32
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
1
down vote
On this page, California DMV addresses who's a resident:
If you become a California resident, you must get a California DL within ten (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.
Thus, if you don't do the listed things, it looks like you can continue to use a valid drivers license from your home country. If that license is printed in a language other than English, you should obtain an International Drivers Permit (which is actually not a license, but only a translation into English of your license) to ease any interaction you might have with the authorities here.
answered Jul 1 at 22:53
David
54817
Thanks for your answer! I don't do the listed things, but the only thing that I'm worried about is the last sentence, that is "...any other privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents". In particular, is having a SSN (Social Security Number) and/or a salary considered a privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents?
– Ludwig
Jul 2 at 0:13
@Ludwig You're welcome. I don't think receiving a salary would be a "privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents," as the quid pro quo of the salary is the work you're doing, not your presence. Having an SSN is a more difficult question, as the Social Security Administration says ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10096.pdf that one who is "lawfully present" (or going to be so in the future) in the US can obtain a SSN. However, it's not clear that "lawfully present" alone constitutes "residency." I'd be more comfortable arguing that it does not, but I'm not experienced here.
– David
Jul 2 at 1:49
1
I am afraid if you "moved to California" and are not "visiting California" then you are resident. If a police officer catches you and is a jerk, he may say to you (as he said to me), "You have ten days since moving here to continue using your Wyoming license. After that, you are an unlicensed driver. I get to take your car," and then, he took my car!
– Douglas Held
Jul 2 at 9:25
1
@DouglasHeld The police officer is doing his job in enforcing the law. That does not make him a jerk.
– gerrit
Jul 2 at 10:58
1
"or any other privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents." -- This is maximally fuzzy: Essentially it says you aren't a resident unless you are one. Is there a comprehensive lists of those benefits? (At least, it is better than it used to be, where one criteria for being a resident was "Getting a California driving licence.")
– npl
Jul 2 at 11:32
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
On this page, California DMV addresses who's a resident:
If you become a California resident, you must get a California DL within ten (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.
Thus, if you don't do the listed things, it looks like you can continue to use a valid drivers license from your home country. If that license is printed in a language other than English, you should obtain an International Drivers Permit (which is actually not a license, but only a translation into English of your license) to ease any interaction you might have with the authorities here.
answered Jul 1 at 22:53
David
54817
On this page, California DMV addresses who's a resident:
If you become a California resident, you must get a California DL within ten (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.
Thus, if you don't do the listed things, it looks like you can continue to use a valid drivers license from your home country. If that license is printed in a language other than English, you should obtain an International Drivers Permit (which is actually not a license, but only a translation into English of your license) to ease any interaction you might have with the authorities here.
answered Jul 1 at 22:53
David
54817
answered Jul 1 at 22:53
David
54817
answered Jul 1 at 22:53
David
54817
answered Jul 1 at 22:53
David
54817
54817
Thanks for your answer! I don't do the listed things, but the only thing that I'm worried about is the last sentence, that is "...any other privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents". In particular, is having a SSN (Social Security Number) and/or a salary considered a privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents?
– Ludwig
Jul 2 at 0:13
@Ludwig You're welcome. I don't think receiving a salary would be a "privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents," as the quid pro quo of the salary is the work you're doing, not your presence. Having an SSN is a more difficult question, as the Social Security Administration says ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10096.pdf that one who is "lawfully present" (or going to be so in the future) in the US can obtain a SSN. However, it's not clear that "lawfully present" alone constitutes "residency." I'd be more comfortable arguing that it does not, but I'm not experienced here.
– David
Jul 2 at 1:49
1
I am afraid if you "moved to California" and are not "visiting California" then you are resident. If a police officer catches you and is a jerk, he may say to you (as he said to me), "You have ten days since moving here to continue using your Wyoming license. After that, you are an unlicensed driver. I get to take your car," and then, he took my car!
– Douglas Held
Jul 2 at 9:25
1
@DouglasHeld The police officer is doing his job in enforcing the law. That does not make him a jerk.
– gerrit
Jul 2 at 10:58
1
"or any other privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents." -- This is maximally fuzzy: Essentially it says you aren't a resident unless you are one. Is there a comprehensive lists of those benefits? (At least, it is better than it used to be, where one criteria for being a resident was "Getting a California driving licence.")
– npl
Jul 2 at 11:32
 |Â
show 1 more comment
Thanks for your answer! I don't do the listed things, but the only thing that I'm worried about is the last sentence, that is "...any other privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents". In particular, is having a SSN (Social Security Number) and/or a salary considered a privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents?
– Ludwig
Jul 2 at 0:13
@Ludwig You're welcome. I don't think receiving a salary would be a "privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents," as the quid pro quo of the salary is the work you're doing, not your presence. Having an SSN is a more difficult question, as the Social Security Administration says ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10096.pdf that one who is "lawfully present" (or going to be so in the future) in the US can obtain a SSN. However, it's not clear that "lawfully present" alone constitutes "residency." I'd be more comfortable arguing that it does not, but I'm not experienced here.
– David
Jul 2 at 1:49
1
I am afraid if you "moved to California" and are not "visiting California" then you are resident. If a police officer catches you and is a jerk, he may say to you (as he said to me), "You have ten days since moving here to continue using your Wyoming license. After that, you are an unlicensed driver. I get to take your car," and then, he took my car!
– Douglas Held
Jul 2 at 9:25
1
@DouglasHeld The police officer is doing his job in enforcing the law. That does not make him a jerk.
– gerrit
Jul 2 at 10:58
1
"or any other privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents." -- This is maximally fuzzy: Essentially it says you aren't a resident unless you are one. Is there a comprehensive lists of those benefits? (At least, it is better than it used to be, where one criteria for being a resident was "Getting a California driving licence.")
– npl
Jul 2 at 11:32
Thanks for your answer! I don't do the listed things, but the only thing that I'm worried about is the last sentence, that is "...any other privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents". In particular, is having a SSN (Social Security Number) and/or a salary considered a privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents?
– Ludwig
Jul 2 at 0:13
Thanks for your answer! I don't do the listed things, but the only thing that I'm worried about is the last sentence, that is "...any other privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents". In particular, is having a SSN (Social Security Number) and/or a salary considered a privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents?
– Ludwig
Jul 2 at 0:13
@Ludwig You're welcome. I don't think receiving a salary would be a "privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents," as the quid pro quo of the salary is the work you're doing, not your presence. Having an SSN is a more difficult question, as the Social Security Administration says ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10096.pdf that one who is "lawfully present" (or going to be so in the future) in the US can obtain a SSN. However, it's not clear that "lawfully present" alone constitutes "residency." I'd be more comfortable arguing that it does not, but I'm not experienced here.
– David
Jul 2 at 1:49
@Ludwig You're welcome. I don't think receiving a salary would be a "privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents," as the quid pro quo of the salary is the work you're doing, not your presence. Having an SSN is a more difficult question, as the Social Security Administration says ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10096.pdf that one who is "lawfully present" (or going to be so in the future) in the US can obtain a SSN. However, it's not clear that "lawfully present" alone constitutes "residency." I'd be more comfortable arguing that it does not, but I'm not experienced here.
– David
Jul 2 at 1:49
1
1
I am afraid if you "moved to California" and are not "visiting California" then you are resident. If a police officer catches you and is a jerk, he may say to you (as he said to me), "You have ten days since moving here to continue using your Wyoming license. After that, you are an unlicensed driver. I get to take your car," and then, he took my car!
– Douglas Held
Jul 2 at 9:25
I am afraid if you "moved to California" and are not "visiting California" then you are resident. If a police officer catches you and is a jerk, he may say to you (as he said to me), "You have ten days since moving here to continue using your Wyoming license. After that, you are an unlicensed driver. I get to take your car," and then, he took my car!
– Douglas Held
Jul 2 at 9:25
1
1
@DouglasHeld The police officer is doing his job in enforcing the law. That does not make him a jerk.
– gerrit
Jul 2 at 10:58
@DouglasHeld The police officer is doing his job in enforcing the law. That does not make him a jerk.
– gerrit
Jul 2 at 10:58
1
1
"or any other privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents." -- This is maximally fuzzy: Essentially it says you aren't a resident unless you are one. Is there a comprehensive lists of those benefits? (At least, it is better than it used to be, where one criteria for being a resident was "Getting a California driving licence.")
– npl
Jul 2 at 11:32
"or any other privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents." -- This is maximally fuzzy: Essentially it says you aren't a resident unless you are one. Is there a comprehensive lists of those benefits? (At least, it is better than it used to be, where one criteria for being a resident was "Getting a California driving licence.")
– npl
Jul 2 at 11:32
 |Â
show 1 more comment
Clash Royale CLAN TAG
2
This seems to be a better fit for Expatriates.
– phoog
Jul 1 at 22:48
@phoog, shall I answer here, or wait until it's moved to Expatriates?
– David
Jul 1 at 22:49
Relevant:
If you are a visitor in California over 18 and have a valid driver license (DL) from your home state or country, you may drive in this state without getting a California DL as long as your home state DL remains valid. src: dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/dl/dl_info#two500– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Jul 1 at 22:53
@RoddyoftheFrozenPeas Except that if one becomes a California resident, one must get a California license. See my answer below.
– David
Jul 1 at 22:55
@David -- It's hard to become a resident, though. It's one of those things you have to do intentionally. The OP is not one for tuition purposes, nor due to voting, so all that's left as a possibility is one of the tax-related avenues.
– Roddy of the Frozen Peas
Jul 2 at 0:20