Driver's License (Atlanta, Decatur: apartment, house, neighborhood)

[bayarea-girl]

Should I turn in my CA DL to GA or should I keep it and get a GA license without identifying I have a CA DL?

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by bayarea-girl

Should I turn in my CA DL to GA or should I keep it and get a GA license without identifying I have a CA DL?

Why would you need to do the latter
Plus wouldn't you have to go through the written and driving tests otherwise?

[bayarea-girl]

LovinDecatur, Some people that I know keep their DL from where they were before. They say it makes it easier when the go back to their state of origin???? It really doesn't matter that much to me and I can't imagine at my age taking the driving test again.

[nerak31]

bayarea-girl, I moved to Atlanta last year and relinquished my beloved CA license and got a GA one. I guess I could have kept it and taken the driving test again, but I just wanted to get it quickly taken care of at that time. surprisingly, it was painless. i made an appointment online for 8am, and i was in and out of DDS (DMV) in about 10 minutes with my GA license.

btw, i'm from the bay area too -- san jose. welcome to the ATL!

[bayarea-girl]

Nerak31, where did you end up? How do you like GA? Are you sure it takes 10 minutes. On the DMV website it says that you have to stick around for a 30 minute video. Did you have to do that too. Do you also have to bring your birth certificate too? Won't they take the CA driver's license as a verification of identity?

Thanks

[neil0311]

Originally Posted by bayarea-girl

Should I turn in my CA DL to GA or should I keep it and get a GA license without identifying I have a CA DL?

You can't. It's illegal now to have licenses in 2 states (you can only be a legal resident of one) and the system will know about your CA license. There will also be questions on the application asking if you possess a license from or are under suspension/revocation in another state. If you give your real name, they already know.

If you try to apply as if you never had another license, you will have to take the written test and then a driving test. Just silly in my opinion.

[AutumnRose]

What would be the benefit of keeping another state license? I surrendered my Illinois one without a second thought. Frankly I was thrilled to get rid of it (worst picture ever lol).

[bayarea-girl]

Neil0311, I didn't know that. So I will for sure surrender my prized CA license. At least I still have my expired license so that I have something to reflect on my time in CA.

[nerak31]

bayarea-girl, it really only took me 10 minutes because all i did was give them my CA license. i filled out the application, paid the $20 for a 5-year license (i think it's $30 for a 10-year licnese), took my picture, and that was it. no 30-minute video or testing of any sort. they printed my license right there and gave it to me. i was very pleased that i was in and out of there within 10 minutes! (remember, i made an early morning appt online, so that might have made things go smoothly.)

i've been in atlanta for almost a full year. i was actually living in connecticut and washington, DC before moving here, so it's been about 5 years since I've lived in the bay area (san jose and berkeley...ahhh, how i miss it! california's still home to me because that's where i grew up and that's where my parents still are.). i lived in an apartment near emory for about 8 months, and i recently bought a house in decatur (oakhurst). i love my new neighborhood, and i love being able to own a house here! as for atlanta itself...it's slowly growing on me. i don't love it quite yet, and i think my preference is to live on the west coast (CA, OR, or WA), but i do think atlanta is a great and affordable place to raise a family.

[nerak31]

no, i didn't bring my birth certificiate with me. just my CA license. i may have brought my passport too, just in case, but i don't think they asked for it.