UK licence in California

[darkhorizon]

So got various confusing advice on this - might be posted to San Fran for 3 years to work. Employer pays for whole family (5 of us) to relocate & organise visas etc. So all that will be sorted. However I can't get to the bottom of how I keep my bike/car licence over there. Anything up to a year I can do on my UK licence. But after this it gets misty. Some say you have to go to the DMV & get a Californian licence. ok fine but I can't find out if I need to take a test or if they issue my the licence based on my UK categories? Anyone on here done this before?
____________________
2009 CBF600 - London hack - stolen then recovered - still going!
2006 CG125 - Was SORN'd, now back on road - sold Nov '16

[sabian92]

Most licencing authorities will swap a UK licence no questions asked however I wouldn't quote me on it. You'll have to fill in the paperwork and that's it most probably. It's a piece of piss to get a US licence anyway so as a resident you'll have no issue and the test can be passed by a chimp.

Probably worth a call to the DMV in California and see what they say.

From what I understand the categories don't even carry over with EU-EU swaps sometimes (I read a story on here of somebody's sister swapping her UK licence for a French one and magically gaining a C+E licence ) but generally if you have a bike licence then you can ride anything, regardless of if it's an unrestricted A or an A1 licence as they don't have split licencing.

Like I said I'm not 100% on it but it shouldn't be too difficult especially as you'll be resident, not a tourist.

[ajag]

I think it varies per state. Regardless, I would not trade my UK license. The US driving test (while different per state) is extremely simple so you might as well just do it instead of handing over your UK license

Last thing you want to do is come back after x number of years and find out your new US license is worthless in the UK and have to retake all the tests again
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Street Triple

[Nobby the Bastard]

[instigator]

[c-m]

US driving and motorcycle tests are a complete joke, as such their micky mouse licences aren't accepted in an decent country.

A friend of mine recently came back from Ohio with a full US driving licence. No lessons, nothing, just jumped in a truck, and drive it a straight line and that was about it.

[Fizzer Thou]

A few years ago I was told that I would be working in California so would need an International diving Permit

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Driving_Permit
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Just talk bikes.What else is there?

Always have a 'Plan B'

[andys675]

when you watch "traffic coppers" in the uk it seems they accept that a foreign licence is ok for 12 months, every cheeky sod they pull over knows this and claims to have only been in the uk for 3 months, could you not do this?
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Some people feel the rain, others just get wet.

[mentalboy]

[mentalboy]

Courtesy of the Californian DMV, no mention of trading in your UK licence but there is this:

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.

And you need to register within 10 days of becoming a permanent Californian resident
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Make mine a Corona.

[MC]

[-Matt-]

I'd just take the tests and get a license there. If you have UK driving experience and licenses you would have to be an absolute potato to fail their tests.

[sabian92]

[darkhorizon]

[esullivan]

[esullivan]

The California car test was known as the toughest/strictest in the U.S. back when I lived there. New York is also tough. (I lived in both states, but took my test in relatively easy Massachusetts.) I have no idea about the motorcycle test. I think you can ride anything after you pass the written exam (learner's permit), but you can't take passengers and there may be some time limits (01:00-05:00 or some such), which is an oddity about U.S. rules. You can hop immediately on a Hayabusa and straight on to the motorway, but you can't do it at 2am...
____________________
Current: '14 VFR800X Test passed 31/10/12.
Previous: '12 NC700S, '11 CBF 125, '04 SH 125.

[natefz6]

Not a bike license.. but, I have a friend that moved over there a couple of years ago, she had to take her car test eventually, I think it was after a year. She was in hire cars with frequent UK visits before that so thought that would count her as a visitor not resident.

From what I have seen of riding in California (LA a couple of weeks ago), you should ride a cruiser, if not riding a cruiser you should ride with your hazard lights on. I don't know why but that's what I saw when I was there, odd.
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"no I didn't steal it that's just the way I ride"

[ZRX61]

If you're here for 3 years you'll be issued a SS# as part of your visa, once you get that head down to the DMV & get take the writtens. Bike & car tests in Califailure are a cake walk.

Don't mention your UK licence AT ALL. However, when you get insurance they will ask how you have been driving & riding. Just tell em since you were 16.
____________________
They're not one night stands, they're auditions.

[temeluchus]

from the California DMV website:

[bikersupermot...]

iv lived in the us and have been through all this but not in california. each state has variations in these matters.

will you be getting residency there?

if not - you might want to check whether you even qualify to obtain a us drivers license because theres a number required ( cant remember what its called ) which tells the secretary of state office where you ll be applying for it that your eligible for a license.

this law changed in my time in the us, so i had a license, the law changed, it was withdrawn and then the law changed again and i was eligible to re-apply for my license.

also, if you have your own bike there, and you use your uk licence, you may find it harder and more expensive to get insurance for your bike as your classed as a higher risk - a visitor who can do a runner after an accident etc etc.
having a us license made insurance much cheaper and easier to get with a us license.



the current requirements for the michigan license for me :-



Applicants With Temporary Legal Presence Need the Following Documents: (Citizens, Permanent Residents and Refugees please go to this page)

To ensure your application process is as smooth as possible, remember:

✔

Double-check that you have all the correct documentation before visiting a Secretary of State office. If you have any questions about what is required, call the Department of State Information Center at 888-SOS-MICH (767-6424).
✔

Documents must be originals or copies certified with a raised seal or stamp.
✔

Faxed or photocopied documents will NOT be accepted.
✔

Foreign driver's licenses are accepted as proof of driving experience only.
✔

License or ID will have Limited Term (LT) indicator and may be valid until one of the following:
---- Limited term legal presence expires.
---- Applicants 18th or 21st birthday.
---- Four years from last birthday, if limited term legal presence is more than four years.
✔

License and ID fees are not prorated.

✔

Documents are subject to departmental review and approval. Additional information may be required. The department may retain images or copies of any document presented
✔

Documents approval may not occur in the same day and may require an additional visit.
Click with your mouse to place checkmarks in the boxes next to items you have available and when you are finished print out your personalized list.

1

Your Social Security number or letter of ineligibility
Present ONE of the following to demonstrate a valid Social Security number or ineligibility.
Social Security card or other Social Security Administration document containing your name and Social Security number.

W-2 or 1099 form.

Pay stub containing your name and Social Security number.


U.S. military ID card containing photo and Social Security number (DD-2, DD-1173 or CAC card.)

Completed U.S. 1040 tax return form

Letter of ineligibility from the Social Security Administration. Letters that are more than 30 days old will not be accepted.

Note: Social Security information will be verified. You may be required to correct information with the Social Security Administration before your driver's license or state ID card application can be processed.
Your first and last name and date of birth on your legal presence and identity documents should match. If your current legal name is different from the name on your birth certificate or legal presence document, you must show legal proof of the name change, such as an original marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order.



2

Legal Presence
Present at least ONE of any of the documents from this column.
The following documents are subject to verification using the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements System (SAVE). Approval may take longer than one day.

Valid, unexpired Employment Authorization Card (I-766)

Valid, unexpired foreign passport in your name with English subtitles or translation, with an entry stamp, valid I-94 or U.S. visa.

B1 and B2 visas are not accepted
WB and WT visa stamps are not accepted
F-visa holders must present an I-20 form.
J-visa holders must present a DS-2019
Approved U.S. Department of Labor certification with a valid, unexpired foreign passport in your name with English subtitles or translation, with an entry stamp, valid I-94 or U.S. visa.


Expired USCIS documents may be presented if accompanied by an I-797 receipt indicating approval of an adjustment of status or extension of stay. A valid, unexpired foreign passport must also be submitted.

Other DHS-issued documents with I-94 or Alien Regisration Number (A#).

Note: Applicants should present the most recently issued USCIS documents to ensure receiving the longest license or ID term possible.


3

Identity Verification
Present original documents to establish identity. MORE THAN ONE document may be required.
Out-of-state, U.S. territories, or Canadian driver's license or ID card. (Licenses or ID cards expired for less than one year will be accepted.)

Marriage license issued in the U.S.

Divorce decree issued in the U.S.

U.S. court order for a name change.

Photo ID card issued by a federal or Michigan government agency.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Trusted Traveler Card (Global Entry, SENTRI or NEXUS).

U.S. military ID card with photo (DD-2, DD-1173 or CAC Card).

U.S. military discharge or separation documents,
such as a DD-214.


Tribal photo ID card from a federally recognized Native American tribe.

Michigan Department of Corrections prisoner ID card. (This document requires verification, which may take more than one day.)

Michigan driver education certificate. (For applicants age 18 and younger.)

Michigan adoption record.

U.S. school records, such as school ID cards with name and photo, diplomas, transcripts or year-books.

If the applicant is younger than age 18 and does not have one of the above, a parent or guardian must present their driver's license or ID and sign for the teen.

A second document from group #2 may also be accepted.

The identity requirement may also be met if two of the following documents are presented: foreign passport, I-94, Employment Authorization Card, Refugee Travel Document or Immigrant visa.

Note: If none of the documents listed above are available, other identity documents may be accepted. These documents require verification, which may take more than one day.


4

Proof of Michigan residency
Present at least TWO documents with your name and Michigan residence address.
Utility bill or credit card bill issued within the last 90 days. (Electronic copies are acceptable.)

Account statement from a bank or other financial institution issued within the last 90 days. (Electronic copies are acceptable.)

Michigan high school, college or university report cards or transcripts.

Mortgage, lease or rental agreement. (Lease and rental agreements must include the landlord's telephone number.)

Pay stub or earnings statement issued with the name and address of the employer.


Life, health, auto or home insurance policy.

Federal, state or local government documents, such as receipts, licenses or assessments.

Michigan title and registration. (The registration must show current residential address.)

Other documents containing your name and address may be accepted with manager approval.

Note: Residency documents in a family member's name may be used if the family relationship can be established.
Michigan P.O. boxes are not an acceptable residence address.
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tinybikes

[darkhorizon]

Wow that's a lot of words! Red time wherever you go I guess. Am going to be going on a working visa - have no plans to settle there any longer than the job/employer demands. Its not a dead cert yet either. Have teenage daughters who I could use not going loopy and fucking up their education right now. So its all a debate. Have a few months yet before we have to decide. Worse positions to be in a realise!
____________________
2009 CBF600 - London hack - stolen then recovered - still going!
2006 CG125 - Was SORN'd, now back on road - sold Nov '16

[ZRX61]