California driver license - moving from Canada (Orange: sales, insurance)

[skyhigh18]

I am moving from Canada to Orange Country, and I have a valid Canadian Driver license for almost 8 years. I wonder whether I need to take a road test to get a California driver license or just a written test is sufficient. Thanks.

[RudyOD]

The answer is either neither or both. If you don't plan on becoming a Californian resident, neither - your Canadian license works fine. If you plan on becoming a resident, both a written test and a road test are required.

Driver License and Identification (ID) Card Information

[Havnfun]

Originally Posted by skyhigh18

I am moving from Canada to Orange Country, and I have a valid Canadian Driver license for almost 8 years. I wonder whether I need to take a road test to get a California driver license or just a written test is sufficient. Thanks.

We moved from Calgary to Orange County and unfortunately you have to do both the written and the road test.

Once you become a resident you have 10 days to get a California license according to the DMV. You will first have to take a written test. You don't need an appointment for this, just show up take the test. If you pass they will give you a temporary permit then you have to make an appointment to take the road test.

[skyhigh18]

Thanks HaveFun!

One more question: I will bring a new car that we purchased last May. I have paid 13% sales tax already. Will I also be asked to pay sales tax to register the car in OC?

[mricu]

As the previous poster said, you will need to do both a written and road test if you plan on registering your vehicle in California.

You should also plan on getting insurance as soon as you move down as your current insurance company most likely will not cover any expenses due to a claim outside the required registration timeframe to the State/Province you moved to. In this case, California requires you to register within 10 days (could be 20 now .. should double check).

The DMV site is pretty clear on the taxes you will need to pay when bringing your car into the state of California:

Use Tax: Collected at the same rate as your California city of residence sales tax. Legislation requires payment of use tax on a vehicle purchased outside California and brought into California within 365 days of the purchase date.
California DMV HTVR9 How To Register A Out of State Vehicle Nonresident Vehicle

So unless you can somehow hold off registering your car until 365 days after you purchased it, you'll have to pay the additional tax. One thing you may want to look into is talking to a tax advisor and see if you can deduct these types of expenses as moving expenses.