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Does Your U.S. License Remain Valid if You Live Overseas

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  • 09-11-2014, 04:18 PM
    nolongerthere
    Does Your U.S. License Remain Valid if You Live Overseas
    My question involves a driver's license issued by the State of: Washington State

    I've scoured both this forum and the internet at large on this issue, but have not found a definitive answer. Most state DMVs provide information for people moving from state to state but not for those out of the country!

    Anyway, my background is as follows:

    - Driver's license from when I was 16 (back in the '90s) until June 2013 in California
    - Traded in CA driver's license for Washington State license in June 2013
    - Moved to Europe in August 2014
    - Have not maintained a residence in Washington State
    - Have not/will not get a EU driver's license

    I plan to be here in Europe for about two years. I would like to visit my family in California for two weeks in spring 2015. Will I be allowed to drive in California (e.g., borrow my sister's car)? I'm not establishing residency there, just visiting. My Washington State license has not expired, but I'm not living there any longer either.

    I don't want to be an unlicensed driver. If you tell me I should stay off the road (and can point me in the direction of some relevant codes), I definitely will!

    Thanks for your help.
  • 09-11-2014, 05:05 PM
    Disagreeable
    Re: Is My Wa State License Still Valid if I'm Living Overseas but Back in Us to Visit
    The fact that you have established new residency and not maintained your old residency will make your WA license improper to drive on legally.
  • 09-11-2014, 05:39 PM
    nolongerthere
    Re: Is My Wa State License Still Valid if I'm Living Overseas but Back in Us to Visit
    Thanks, Disagreeable. I wasn't sure if the license was irrevocably tied to a place of residence. I know that moving from one state to another requires switching over within a certain period of time. I just wasn't sure if being out of the country was similar or not.

    I knew it was a long shot, but I knew that US citizens overseas still participate in federal elections for their last place of residence. Part of me was hoping that as long as the WA license wasn't expired, I could still use it as it was my last US residence. But upon reconsideration, I can see how that is a false analogy.

    Would I be legally permitted to get a CA license to allow me to drive those two weeks, supplying my sister's home address (with her permission)? If not, I'll try to sort out a EU license before then. Just not really looking forward to a foreign driving test in a foreign language...
  • 09-11-2014, 11:33 PM
    Disagreeable
    Re: Does Your U.S. License Remain Valid if You Live Overseas
    It is very likely you can get a CA license using your sisters address since you will reside there.
  • 09-11-2014, 11:52 PM
    Mr. Knowitall
    Re: Is My Wa State License Still Valid if I'm Living Overseas but Back in Us to Visit
    Under RCW 46.20.205, you are required to update your address with the DMV within ten days of moving to a new address.

    Grounds for cancellation of a license are listed in RCW 46.20.207 and, by reference, RCW 46.20.031, which you can find here. I don't see a provision that results in the cancellation of a license for moving out of state. I suggest inquiring with the DMV.
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