right now im a student in los angeles. i was on the 105 going east, after picking up someone from LAX. im in the carpool lane and get pulled over for going 80 apparently (was in the evo and had no clue iwas speeding since cars were going at my speed too). he was bout to let me go then asked for my license.

basically after he saw i had an out of state license, but a new car without plates (bought in LA), he ended up giving me a ticket for speeding.

on the ticket it said i had to go to dmv and report within 10 days my new address here in california also.

my question is:

do i have to get a CA drivers license just because i bought a car and its registered in CA? i thought that was for insurance reasons - and i am already insured from a company out of state for this CA car without a CA drivers license.

im a student and dont have permanent residence here. chp asked if mail went to my apt, and i said well yeah of course. then he said well you were supposed to get a license 2 weeks ago since you came to LA.

am i way off or is this bs? i didnt report to dmv yet within 10 days but most likely will soon. but any input on what the cop said and whether i should contest, etc? thanks - appreciate it..

 

If you are not a permanent resident, you should have applied for registration in your home state for your Evo. You can't have registration in one state with your license in another.

SC~ who is driving around in CA with VA plates and a VA license.

 

I lived in Cal several times and been through this.

You must have a CA driver's license if your car is registered in CA. You can driver someone else's car with your out of state license, but if the CA registration is in your name, you must have the license. You legally only have a certain amount of time to switch it. The state wants your money if you are driving their roads and live there, unless you are in the military and are legally allowed to keep your out of state tags.

As for insurance, the company itself may be located out of state, that's fine, but they must be able to provide you CA insurance coverage. You must have a CA insurance card in your car. If something happens, you will be in trouble and the insurance will not pay your claim.

To make it simple, you must have all 3 matching items: insurance, registration, license. If all three are out of state, you can tell a policeman you are just visiting and he cannot do anything. You are a student, but since you bought the car there and has CA plates, that argument is out the window.

Do yourself a favor and get it. The CHP knows the law better than you, so don't contest the ticket. Good luck.