How to get a new license in CA - my old license expired two years ago (insurance)

[vansrikanth]

Hello,
I have gone out of country on a project for almost two and half years. My license expired two years ago. After reading through DMV site, I understand I need to apply for a new license. What I don't understand is, do I write the exam again, do I take the driving test again, etc. Can someone please provide some information.

Also, how does this impact my insurance? Will it go up since I didn't have any license and insurance in the US for the past two years.

Thanks a lot for your help.

[JGC97]

Seriously?? I don't think any of us here work for the DMV so maybe you could just give 'em a call and find out. Wouldn't that be easier AND accurate information instead of following the suggestions of a bunch of strangers online? <sigh>

[cb73]

Originally Posted by vansrikanth

Hello,
I have gone out of country on a project for almost two and half years. My license expired two years ago. After reading through DMV site, I understand I need to apply for a new license. What I don't understand is, do I write the exam again, do I take the driving test again, etc. Can someone please provide some information.

Also, how does this impact my insurance? Will it go up since I didn't have any license and insurance in the US for the past two years.

Thanks a lot for your help.

Make an appointment at your local DMV. You'll be taking the written test. You could be taking the driving test again--expect to be doing so. Make sure someone else drives you to DMV, since you're not currently licensed to drive.

The insurance question would be between you and your insurance company. They make take into account that you were out of the country--I don't know, ask them.

[vansrikanth]

Thanks for your advice but have you ever been on the phone with DMV? It sometimes takes hours. Anyway, before I saw these responses, I was on the line with DMV for 2 hours + and after the line got disconnected, I went to local DMV office, waited in line and then got the info.

In case you missed how the internet works - we all try to help each other in forums so that these responses form a knowledgebase for others who have similar needs in the future. So the generous folks who responded to my question not only could've solved my issue, but also many others in future.

Originally Posted by HereOnMars

Seriously?? I don't think any of us here work for the DMV so maybe you could just give 'em a call and find out. Wouldn't that be easier AND accurate information instead of following the suggestions of a bunch of strangers online? <sigh>

[vansrikanth]

Thank you, I was told by DMV that I need to take written test. Driving test was not necessary. Insurance is something I may have to just get once I have the license.

Originally Posted by cb73

Make an appointment at your local DMV. You'll be taking the written test. You could be taking the driving test again--expect to be doing so. Make sure someone else drives you to DMV, since you're not currently licensed to drive.

The insurance question would be between you and your insurance company. They make take into account that you were out of the country--I don't know, ask them.

[fluffythewondercat]

Originally Posted by vansrikanth

In case you missed how the internet works - we all try to help each other in forums so that these responses form a knowledgebase for others who have similar needs in the future. So the generous folks who responded to my question not only could've solved my issue, but also many others in future.

You should expect to get pushback when the information you seek is -- in the case of the DMV -- publicly available and -- in the case of your insurance company -- impossible for any of us to know.

[steiconi]

Thanks for sharing the process.
My HI license lapsed by a few weeks (oops, forgot), but it wasn't a big deal to renew. Clearly a different case.
And HI DMV is a pleasant dream compared to CA. Short lines, pleasant workers.

[vansrikanth]

It takes less time to search online compared to creating an account on an online forum and then ask a question. There is no answer anywhere on the internet that said whether I had to take just the written test or driving test or both. Everywhere it is said written and/or driving test. So before one jumps in to correct others, try to give benefit of doubt that the other person may have done some research and probably didn't get any conclusive answer. Even in this forum, there was no conclusive answer. So I am hoping someone in my situation would benefit from the knowledge I gained.

Originally Posted by fluffythewondercat

You should expect to get pushback when the information you seek is -- in the case of the DMV -- publicly available and -- in the case of your insurance company -- impossible for any of us to know.