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Driving as a Non-Resident of the United States
If you are not a resident of the United States (you are on visa and paying non-resident tuition), and have a valid license from your home country, you may drive in this state. However, it is strongly recommended that you obtain a California license if you expect to drive or purchase a car. Also, be prepared to obtain the required automobile insurance if you buy a car. A driver's license or a California identification card, which is also available at the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), is also a useful form of identification for writing checks. A California Driver's License is valid throughout the Unied States.
Obtaining a California Driver's License
I-Place Trips to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
The California Department of Motor Vehicles is the state agency responsible for driver licensing and vehicle registration. If you would like to obtain a California Driver's License, and have never been licensed to drive anywhere else in the United States, you must take both the Written Test as well as the Behind-the-Wheel Driving Test. You may go directly to the DMV office for the written test, but must have an appointment to take the Behind-the-Wheel Driving Test. Making an appointment online at www.dmv.ca.gov will always save you time. Please see information below on I-Place trips to the Depart ment of Motor Vehicles.
Preparing Your Application
You will need your passport with your valid I-94 (you received this small white card when you entered the country), and your I-20 or DS-2019. If you have a Social Security card you must present it to take the Behind-the-Wheel Driving Test, however, it is not required to have a Social Security number to obtain a California driver's license. Please click here for more full information regarding applying for a driver's license.
The Written Test
Before you take the written test, you should study the "California Driver's Handbook," which is available online. It paraphrases the vehicle code and explains the rules of the road. If you study this handbook, you should be able to pass the written examination. In addition, sample tests are extremely helpful, as they familiarize you with the language of the written exam questions.You may also find the interactive Driving Knowledge Tutorial or DMV Videos helpful. Once you pass the written exam, you will obtain a driver's permit that is valid for one year, please be aware of the limitations of this permit.
The Behind-the-Wheel Driving Test
You must take the behind-the-wheel driving test even if you have a driver's license from your home country), within one year. An examiner will accompany you on a driving test, so you should be familiar with the car you are driving when you go to be tested. You must show proof that the car is properly registered and insured at the time of the test. You may borrow a car from a friend or sign up with a local driving school for a fee. You may also rent a car for the test. After you pass the test, you will receive a temporary license valid until your license arrives by mail within one to three months.
I-Place Trips to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and Social Security Administration (SSA)
On most Fridays* during the academic year, International Place asstists students with transportation to the Deparment of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for any business pertaining to applying/obtaining a California Driver's License or a California Identification Card, as well as the Social Security Administration Office (SSA), for any business pertaining to applying/obtaining a Social Security Number - for the purposes of paid employment. You must sign up in advance for this trip, since we can only accommodate 7 students for this service each Friday. To sign-up, you may come into our office and let us know, or send an e-mail to ipoffice@cmc.edu. We will confirm by e-mail whether or not there is space for your requested trip.
*These trips start the first Friday of each semester, but are suspended on some Fridays that fall during extremely busy periods or Fridays that fall near acadmic breaks. We will give at least 2 weeks advance notice for tips that are suspended.
An Important Note on the "International Driver's License"
An "international driver's license" is a translation of information contained on your home country driver's license. It only verifies that you hold a valid license in your home country. It is your foreign driver's license that allows you to drive in the United States. If you drive in the U.S. before you obtain a California driver's license (or one from another U.S. state) you must be prepared to show your home country driver's license as well as the international driver's license.
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