International License...sorta

[leftsidedrvr]

I'm in a bit of a strange predicament...here's the deal...
I am a California resident currently living in Australia shortly to be returning home for a few weeks at which time my CA DL will have expired. I currently have an Australian DL which I was able to get with proof as I am licensed in the US, etc. Here's the question: Being my CA DL will be expired when I return home, am I legally be allowed to drive in California with an Aussie DL being I am resident of the state? I would rather not spend time at the DMV going through the renewal process if I don't have to.
I remember hearing that you can only have one license at a time, so would my Aussie DL cover for my expired CA DL? I have talked to Australians who have rented cars or driven (and been pulled over) on their licenses without any problems, so I'm assuming I don't need an international license. For some reason I cannot access the DMV website down here so any advice on this would be appreciated.
Cheers!

[25/31]

If your going to live here again or your still a "resident of Ca" you need to get a CA DL.:cool:



12500. (a) A person may not drive a motor vehicle upon a highway, unless the person then holds a valid driver's license issued under this code, except those persons who are expressly exempted under this code.

[Mom]

I'm in a bit of a strange predicament...here's the deal...
I am a California resident currently living in Australia shortly to be returning home for a few weeks at which time my CA DL will have expired. I currently have an Australian DL which I was able to get with proof as I am licensed in the US, etc. Here's the question: Being my CA DL will be expired when I return home, am I legally be allowed to drive in California with an Aussie DL being I am resident of the state? I would rather not spend time at the DMV going through the renewal process if I don't have to.It is my understanding if you are a resident of CA, you will need a CA DL. There can also be an issue with your Australian license. If you were licensed there based on your being licensed here, your license there may be invalidated when your CA DL expires. (This happened to a friend from I believe Canada.)

I know if your license becomes suspended here and you have a license there based on a CA license, the one there will also get suspended.

[PH3N@M]

I know if your license becomes suspended here and you have a license there based on a CA license, the one there will also get suspended.

I don't think so.

leftsidedrvr:

If you live in Australia, you are an Australian resident. It sounds like you are coming back for a visit, not to reside here. You may have once been a California resident, but by your post it doesn't appear that you are currently, unless your just going to school or are in the military. So, no you don't need a California license if your coming to visit and returning to Australia in a few weeks. I maybe reading into your post a bit, but here are a few sections to read over.

12502. (a) The following persons may operate a motor vehicle in
this state without obtaining a driver's license under this code:
(1) A nonresident over the age of 18 years having in his or her
immediate possession a valid driver's license issued by a foreign
jurisdiction of which he or she is a resident, except as provided in
Section 12505.


516. "Resident" means any person who manifests an intent to live or
be located in this state on more than a temporary or transient
basis. Presence in the state for six months or more in any 12-month
period gives rise to a rebuttable presumption of residency.
The following are evidence of residency for purposes of vehicle
registration:
(a) Address where registered to vote.
(b) Location of employment or place of business.
(c) Payment of resident tuition at a public institution of higher
education.
(d) Attendance of dependents at a primary or secondary school.
(e) Filing a homeowner's property tax exemption.
(f) Renting or leasing a home for use as a residence.
(g) Declaration of residency to obtain a license or any other
privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to a nonresident.
(h) Possession of a California driver's license.
(i) Other acts, occurrences, or events that indicate presence in
the state is more than temporary or transient.

[Mom]

I don't think so. OK, I was just going by a friend who is a Canadian citizen who went to Australia to work, returned to Canada and committed a DUI and got their license suspended in Canada. In turn, Australia suspended the license there also. Maybe there was more to it there than he said.

[leftsidedrvr]

Thanks for the posts everyone, it's much appreciated. I think I might as well just renew my CA DL...it just seems like an easier option in the long run, especially considering what hoops I'd have to jump through to get insured for just a short while.

On an interesting side note, to apply for my Australian license (in Queensland) all I needed was my current DL, passport, third form of photo ID, a credit card, plus the $20 fee. No written test, no eye exam, nothing. Think if that was reversed...a bit scary perhaps?