Can I convert my current DC licence in California? (DMV) (Oakland: license, relocate to)

[CandiceHuille]

Hello,

Long story short. I am from France, have been in the states for a year as a student in Washington DC, have a driving license in Washington DC which is going to be expired in a month.

I will relocate to California because I got admitted in UC Berkeley. Is it possible to convert my DC license in California? I guess I cannot, not sure, but because I won't be able to convert an expired one (I am coming to Berkeley in August, and by that time my DC DL will already be expired).

I tried to call the DMV in the bay area and It appeared that it's taking a lot of waiting time... I am in France now. I tried to check the DMV site and did not find an answer.

A friend of mine told me Ca state has strict laws, means I will take the written test and the real driving test again!! Which is absurd if it is true because in DC I only took the written test because I do have the French driving license.

Has anyone been in my shoes before?

[evening sun]

Don't bother trying to call on the phone, dmv is a mad house. Read the handbook, before you take the written test, it is easy enough to pass. You may think it is absurd, but France is a long way from CA, so if they want you to take the test, prepare for it.

[G Grasshopper]

I agree. When you get to California, go to a DMV office. Prepare to spend some time there. Depending on which office you go to, the waiting time could be quite long. (Take a book.) You will very likely need to take a written test. You should get a copy of the handbook, either by picking up a paper copy or by going on line:
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/web/eng_pdf/dl600.pdf

I don't know if they will require a behind-the-wheel test. When I moved from Texas, only a written test was required, but that is still the US, so I don't know. Perhaps because you have DC license, you won't have to, but I don't know what the expiration issue will do. Perhaps there is some information about that in the handbook.

[Scorpion3510]

You will have to take the written test no matter what. I'm not sure about the driving one since your DC DL will expire.


When I moved here I had to take the DL written test, MC written test, and title/register my car here. It took 8 hours waiting to get everything complete.


LPT: Don't go to a DMV in Oakland!

[modernist1]

Pretty sure it will probably be a written test, but not an actual 'driving' test.