I am a dual citizen of United States and Mexico, can I use my Mexican license in california when visiting?
I am originally a US citizen that has moved to Mexico and gotten my dual citizenship. Around two years ago I've gotten a DUI and got my license suspended, I've completed my DUI classes and passed my suspension time, I can get it back now but the thing is:
do I have to pay for a California license when I am only going to be in California visiting for less than 6 months? and
do I need an SR-22 when I am going to use my valid Mexican license in California?
Yes I am going to have insurance that goes along with my Mexican license, yes I have my INE (Mexican voters ID / official ID), but at this time I cannot afford to reinstate my license and to pay for an SR-22, also insurance companies are trying to take advantage of my situation and they're trying to overcharge me and force me to put a down payment for six months (~$700), which is another reason why I do not want to get my California license. Is it legal, and is it a loophole? I've been looking for answers for my situation before I go and visit and I'm not trying to get into any legal trouble.
Please help, I cannot get around California without driving please let me know! So far I have been getting mixed answers.
Best Answer
You can not drive within the state that has suspended your privileges. It doens't matter what license you are trying to drive on. However, if you went to another state where you privilege to drive was never suspended than you can drive on your Mexican license. Some place that don’t have an updated DMV computer system may even give you a DL in there state. You can try small mountain villages in a different states. If you do it fast enough the paperwork to suspend your license won’t be on you magstrip yet. Bond out and waste no time going to another state to change your licenses. It would be easier to just move to another state and use your Mexican license. You can only use it for a number of days as a visitor before you are required by law to get a license in that state but if you're a traveler and you make trips out of state and back the clock restarts. Let’s say if you drive there for over 60 days you need to get a license there. Drive for 30 days and make a weekend trip to site see at a National park a few hours across state lines then turn around and come back. Once you're back, because you left, you're back at day one of the count down.
This is not legal advice.
Pictures about "I am a dual citizen of United States and Mexico, can I use my Mexican license in california when visiting?"
Can you drive in California with a Mexican license?
People with a current valid driver's license from a foreign country can legally drive in California. They do not need to get a California driver's license or international driving permit (\u201cIDP\u201d) as long as: They are at least 18 years of age, The license was lawfully issued in the country where they reside, and.Is a Mexican license valid in the United States?
You can drive with a foreign license in the U.S. for up to 3 months. After that, you'll need an International Driving Permit to continue driving.How to get your Mexican Citizenship | Prepare for your dual citizenship as a Mexican-American Pt. 1
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Element5 Digital, Markus Winkler, Brett Sayles, Ethan Wilkinson