Expert: Steve Summers - 8/29/2006

Question
Please excuse my derailment from tourism.
Here is my scenario:
1. I was stationed at an overseas US Military base from which facility I completed my driver education course and driving test to acquire driving priviledges.
2. I never owned a state side DL-I am a Californian Resident.
3. Am I required to re-accomplish the driving test or does the driver education/driver test conducted at an overseas military base(federal facility) suffice as a substitute?

I have tried the DMV site and the search engines but I can't get a specific answer to my question. Any advice; or hyperlinks you can give me that will assist in that cause?
Thanks.  

Answer
Hello,

After checking with my network of spies, I actually have almost as many questions as answers.

The first thing my contact wanted to know is if you are over 18. Being in the military, it was assumed that you are. That makes life a lot easier, since you don't have to worry about the driver education/driver training that under-18's have to deal with.

My contact also wanted to know what type of "driving privileges" certificate you had. Was it a driver's license from a foreign country, or an IDP. The State of California does not recognize an International Driving Permit (IDP) as a valid driver license. California does recognize a valid driver license that is issued by a foreign jurisdiction (country, state, territory) of which the license holder is a resident. If it's an IDP, then you will have to apply for a CDL within 10 days (taking the written test, getting a permit, then taking a driving test). If it's a bona fide driver's license from a foreign country, you can drive here as long as it's still valid... UNTIL you become a California Resident. Residency is established by voting in a California election, paying resident tuition, filing for a homeowner's property tax exemption, or any other privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents.

Either way, if you want the standard class C CDL, you'll still have to take the test. My advice is to get to your local DMV when it opens in order to take the written test. You'll be out within 30 minutes. For the driving portion, you'll have to get an appointment... there's no getting around that.

Good luck (and thanks for serving, BTW)

Steve