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Old 06-07-2015, 12:58 PM
 
10 posts, read 8,535 times
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Hello,

I am not sure if that particular question was already answered somewhere, could not find any info on this forum or net. Probably should just call DMV and ask them.

However, out of interest, I want to ask it here in case anyone had a similar case. It's actually a set of questions.

1. Can a person take a DMV Road test in a car that has Canadian plates and insured in Canada (before importing that car into USA) or a car MUST have Californian plates (and of course insured in California) in order to be eligible for DMV Road test?

2. Can a person with Canadian driver's license (or after passing a written DMV test) get an insurance and register in California a car already imported from Canada and take a DMV road test in that car?

Thank you
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Old 06-07-2015, 01:19 PM
 
Location: State of Transition
102,218 posts, read 107,999,816 times
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OP, who told you that you need to take the exam? Go to the DMV, show them your existing license and passport, and they'll give you a CA license, unless they have reason not to. Also, if they do require you to take a test, what plates you have on the car is irrelevant. They only care that the car is in good working order (all signal lights work, etc.), and that it's legal to drive (registration, wherever that may be, is current). You have to provide proof of CA residency (a copy of your rental lease, or a utility bill). If you're not a CA resident, you don't need a CA license.

From the DMV site: Driving tests for license renewals or holders of out-of-state or U.S. territory licenses are normally waived, if the license is presented. However, DMV may require a driving test at any time.


To apply for a DL in compliance with AB 60, proof of California residency is required. Examples of the different types of documents can be found in Documents Required to Apply for a Driver License (FFDL 5A) Fast Facts brochure.

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/?1...t_facts/ffdl5a

Last edited by Ruth4Truth; 06-07-2015 at 01:38 PM..
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Old 06-07-2015, 01:27 PM
 
Location: TOVCCA
8,452 posts, read 15,052,415 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth View Post
From the DMV site: Driving tests for license renewals or holders of out-of-state or U.S. territory licenses are normally waived, if the license is presented. However, DMV may require a driving test at any time.
Canada is not a US state or US territory.
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Old 06-07-2015, 01:40 PM
 
Location: State of Transition
102,218 posts, read 107,999,816 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nightlysparrow View Post
Canada is not a US state or US territory.
Really? Since when?

I misread that. I haven't had my coffee. Good thing the OP now has the link to the CA DMV site.

Last edited by Ruth4Truth; 06-07-2015 at 01:57 PM..
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Old 06-07-2015, 01:45 PM
 
Location: State of Transition
102,218 posts, read 107,999,816 times
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OP, what does "a car already imported from Canada" mean? Does it mean: imported and approved by the State of CA (= passed CA smog test)? Are you aware of the CA smog test requirement? Anyway, where the car is registered doesn't matter, as long as registration is current.
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Old 06-07-2015, 02:05 PM
 
4,038 posts, read 4,866,732 times
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Don't try to call the DMV; you'll get lost in a Bermuda Triangle of such bureaucratic depths that you'll never be seen again. Everything you need to know is on the DMV website.

Insuring and registering a car in Cali is a completely separate issue and operation from getting your license. There's no relation between the two. Keep it simple, and don't conflate the two. Just take the exam in a car, any car, as long as it's registered somewhere, by somebody. Your car, borrowed car, rented car, foreign car, no matter.
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Old 06-07-2015, 02:06 PM
 
Location: Oroville, California
3,477 posts, read 6,515,659 times
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Contact the DMV. Seriously. Your situation is a little esoteric and its not worth giving you incorrect or guessed information.
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Old 06-07-2015, 02:07 PM
 
10 posts, read 8,535 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth View Post
OP, what does "a car already imported from Canada" mean? Does it mean: imported and approved by the State of CA (= passed CA smog test)? Are you aware of the CA smog test requirement?.
The car was manufactured in 2011, there is also a letter from the manufacturer confirming compliance with the USA and California EPA standards etc. so no smog test is required, only CBP form 7501 which is provided at the port of entry. Importing car is possible at the actual Canada - USA border crossing or at any port of entry (even at SF CPB) after one crosses from Canada to the USA without importing a car just yet.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth View Post
Anyway, where the car is registered doesn't matter, as long as registration is current.
Is that a fact? Anyone from your friends, relatives passed DMV Road test in a vehicle with Canadian plates on and insured in Canada?

Thank you
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Old 06-07-2015, 02:08 PM
 
10 posts, read 8,535 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BeauCharles View Post
Contact the DMV. Seriously. Your situation is a little esoteric and its not worth giving you incorrect or guessed information.
Yes, I am going to call DMV as I've stated in my original posting. Just wanted to check if anyone on these boards (or their friends, relatives) have done anything like that before, since unfortunately, there is not much info on-line on that topic. At least there is not single comment like "yes, I've (my brother/sister/classmate/colleague/etc.) done it" that I can find.

Thank you

Last edited by 66CCFF; 06-07-2015 at 02:18 PM..
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Old 06-07-2015, 02:37 PM
 
4,038 posts, read 4,866,732 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 66CCFF View Post
Yes, I am going to call DMV as I've stated in my original posting. Just wanted to check if anyone on these boards (or their friends, relatives) have done anything like that before, since unfortunately, there is not much info on-line on that topic. At least there is not single comment like "yes, I've (my brother/sister/classmate/colleague/etc.) done it" that I can find.

Thank you
Taking the drive test is unrelated to car registration. Taking the drive test is about you proving your driving skills. The car is just the tool you use to prove those skills. As long as it's a fully functional piece of equipment, and has registration and insurance, you're allowed to use that piece of equipment. I've known people who've taken the test with out-of-state cars that haven't been smog-approved yet. But if it makes you feel better to get the word from the horse's mouth verbally, go for it.
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