Moving to California from B.C. on TN1-Visa

[dradical]

Hey guys. I am moving quite soon to California on a TN1-Visa from B.C.
My question is, Do I need to get a California drivers license once im down there? Or can I use my B.C. drivers license. My B.C. license doesn't expire for another year and a bit. and I may only stay there for 1 year

any info would be GREAT!
thanks

[RevRandy]

Legally you are required to get a CA driver's licence within 90 days of residence. As they don't recognise Canadian licence's you will have to take a written and road test. Don't worry, it is quite easy, compared to what I had to do to get mine in Canada in the past.

[Steven]

You don't need to get a licence if it's not your principal residence. The 90 day rule is for people permanently moving there, you're not.

[ontario]

I have been on a TN for 18 months now in Wisconsin but did not get a Wisconsin plate simply because
1) you never know when your employer is going to let you go. and
2) If the border officer sees you have a Wisconsin plate, he may start questioning your true residency and intent.

Can I ask you what kind of hospital and emergency insurance you are using while in the USA?

[kaktus]

I'm surprised that California is asking for both written and road test renewal.
FYI: I have worked on TN-1 in Florida,Louisiana, and Texas and only required a visual test at application.
In Arizona now, needed to take the visual and written, but actually the local office was misinformed (state actually denotes that Canadians do NOT need to do a written only visual, even shown as such on their website!).

Getting the local state license plate is straightforward, but in my experience I only purchased a US vehicle after I got stateside. Then with a US VIN, the plating/insurance procedure etc has no concerns.
I kept the vehicle, even between jobs in different states, and even after returning to Canada temporarily once and getting Canadian plates. So its not a big deal, you apply for plates/insurance and go from there. But not sure about taking a Canadian registered vehicle and trying to replate it once in the US. Imagine you will have to also fill in some further re-registration forms to register the vehicle in the US (as had to do in Canada with the Official Vehicle Registrar) if you wish to plate it (but again, thats only some paperwork, perhaps a small fee). Recommendation: Sell or leave the vehicle in Canada, get another in the US.

Cheers and good luck in CA!

[Steven]

It depends on the State, I can understand why California requires the full road test because it's in the west and has a large urban population. People from States like Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Oregon, etc. have never seen traffic like that.

The road test isn't very hard from what I've been told by members of my family who've taken it.

[bones349]

Hey, Im in the same boat. Moved to California from Ontario on a TN Visa. If you are still looking to buy car insurance in California, give State Farm a try. Their price was about half of what the others were going to charge me. The difference is that State Farm treats a Canadian license just like a US license. They saw that I've been driving for 10 years with a clean record, and hooked me up.

[Cdngirl]

State Farm is indeed a good insurance company.as for the driver's license, I always thought that it was required! I have never been a permanent resident of California, yet I got my driver's license in california when I moved here. I would recommend it as it makes things MUCH easier, i.e. when showing ID at bars,etc.

I have a friend who did not replace her plates (she's been here for 2 years on a TN) and was fined $300 for that.

I don't think you need to return your BC driver's license (just keep both), I was able to keep mine.

Trust me, you won't be in California for just 1 year. That was my plan and I've been here for 9 years now (although I AM planning to return now!).