Drivers Licence in California

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
1

<p>I moved my car awhile back to California from Oklahoma.</p>

<p>But now my driver's license is about to expire...</p>

<p>Just wondering, do I have to take the test again if I already received a license from another state?</p>

<p>It would be just a huge hassle to take the test again and risk failing the test...</p>

<p>Also if I want to register my car in California, is there any rules that I should be aware of?</p>

<p>My car originally was bought in California, so I think it passed the california regulations... anything else to be aware of?</p>

<p>How is the done? I know I goto the DMV and... then I'm confused. Do I have to take my car to another place to get it checked or what? The whole process.</p>

<p>I have no one to help me and my parents are out of the country so I need to figure this out on my own... it's stressing me out.</p>

2

<p>As far as your license goes, read [url=<a href="http://www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.htm%5Dthis.%5B/url"&gt;http://www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.htm]this.[/url&lt;/a&gt;]&lt;/p>

<p>Registering your car in California may be more difficult than you expect. I recommend you take a day off and go to the DMV and find out what you need to do. However, [url=<a href="http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/howto/htvr9.htm%5Dthis%5B/url"&gt;http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/howto/htvr9.htm]this[/url&lt;/a&gt;] will help you figure out the basics.</p>

3

<p>There is a DMV just a few blocks from campus, just FYI.</p>

4

<p>Went through the site already, saw the DMV ... I was wondering if anybody had a 'personal' experience. Thanks anyhow.. Little nervous.</p>

5

<p>uyulove,</p>

<p>Having registered a car in Japan, I can tell you that CA DMV registration is much much easier.</p>

<p>The only issue you might run into is if your car does not meet CA's relatively strict smog standards. What state is it from?</p>

<p>The license is easy, BTW. But unless you become a CA resident, you will renew it in your home state.</p>

6

<p>if you're nervous about passing the driver's exam- i wouldnt worry too much. for the written exam all you have to do is read through the CA driver's handbook before taking it. i got 100%! </p>

<p>as for the behind-the-wheel test, it is VERY basic in california. no U-turns, no parallel parking. i passed on my first try... after about 20 hours of driving experience! (dont worry CA drivers, i'm a much better driver now)</p>

7

<p>UCLAri- Whoa, that sounds crazy. Did you take the car from the states to Japan? Just wondering... good thing CA registration will be much easier, lol. My car is from Oklahoma, but it originally was bought in California around 1994 or something.</p>

<p>I can't go back to my home state because none of my family members live there... (so it's pointless) My bro moved to NY and he's not a resident. But he still received a NY license so hopefully I could get a CA license too..??</p>

<p>socks- Thanks, that makes me feel better. Parallel parking.. I haven't done for 2 yrs or so. i was good at it when i had to learn it but i suck at parking in general.</p>

8

<p>uyulove,</p>

<p>Why can't you just send the paperwork off to Oklahoma and pay for the re-registration? </p>

<p>Regardless, it's not like registering yourself in CA won't have benefits. It is the best choice, in my opinion.</p>

<p>Oh, and no...the car was purchased in Japan.</p>

9

<p>CA written tests are easy, straight out of the book. All I remember is I missed one question - something about proper procedures when transporting livestock. :) I am SO not making that up, either :)</p>

10

<p>You may have to do a U turn- I know I did. Just make sure to blatantly check your mirrors very often.</p>

11

<p>When I came over, I didn't have to take the behind-the-wheel test at all, so I wouldn't even worry about that. You'll need to do the written test, and get your car smogged and possibly even do the break-and-light exam. None of these are hard, just a pain in the butt.</p>

<p>The only issue I'd be concerned with is your age- are you 18 yet? If you are, no problems. But when I came to CA at 16 having had an AZ drivers license for nearly a year, they wanted to take my license away and give me a permit and make me go through drivers ed and all kinds of things they require over here. This was seven years ago, so they may have gotten more organized, but I'd say that if you're still underage you might want to consider renewing your old license.</p>

12

<p>UCLAri i never even thought about that. haha thanks, i think that's what I'll actually do. ^_^</p>

13

<p>Hey did anybody LEAVE their car with your home state info? I'm thinking about just renewing my license and getting my car inspected or something from my home state. I dunno whether I should change everything to california or not.</p>

<p>Can i get an oklahoma license but register my car here (since prob i can't go back to my home state?) and does anybody know if I LEAVE my car registered in Oklahoma if I can still get California insurance? I'm confused little soul</p>

14

<p>I just moved to CA this past fall and got my license here. I didn't have to take a drivers test, simply gave them my old drivers license and took a written exam. I hadn't looked at a book since I was 16, but it's pretty much common sense. You need 70% to pass and I got somethin like mid 80's. It's easy.</p>

15

<p>to tell you the truth, I failed my first permit exam. But then I passed my driving test in one shot. Hm... So I'm a little bit worried about the written test too because apparently i have no common sense. haha</p>

16

<p>haha its okay, i failed my online traffic school test, then i had myf riend do it cuz i'm too lazy :P</p>

17

<p>If you can keep your car registered in your home state with insurance it will most likely be way cheaper. I bought a car in CA for my son, registered it there and insured it there and it is very very expensive. Even if you buy a car in NY and ship it out west, it is cheaper. I wish I had done that!</p>

18

<p>You can't do that. You can for awhile, but if you are pulled over and a police officer notices you got your license in summer of 06, but it's summer of 07 and your car isn't registered in California, you will be in big trouble.</p>

19

<p>My license plate says it's registered until 07/2007 so I don't think I would have to worry.. do I? (the thing is I probably should register it in California anyway because I can't get it checked in OK to get it registered every yr... Could you do that by mail too? I know I can do my license by mail.)</p>

<p>All my license/plate/insurance is up to date, I just gotta update it really soon because they are 'going' to expire.(license expiring in 16 days) They have not yet..</p>