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  1. #1
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    Jan 2016
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    Default Getting a Driver's License While Suspended in Another Country

    My question involves a driver's license issued by Turkey and getting a driver's license in California

    Hello, I am a Turkish citizen and I recently moved to California. My driving licence was suspended in Turkey 2 years ago. The suspense is over and I can go back and take it now but I am stuying here and it's quite hard to go back and do the procedure. I want to apply to a new driver's licence here but I'm worried about not being able to. Does California get such information from Turkey? Is there a way to get a new licence here in these circumstances?

    Thank you all in advance.

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Getting a Driver's License While Suspended in Another Country

    When you apply for a driver's license, you are asked to state whether or not your driving privileges have been suspended, providing the date(s) and reason(s). First, there's the misdemeanor criminal offense:
    Quote Quoting California VC Sec. 20.
    It is unlawful to use a false or fictitious name, or to knowingly make any false statement or knowingly conceal any material fact in any document filed with the Department of Motor Vehicles or the Department of the California Highway Patrol.
    Further, as you sign the application under penalty of perjury, you could be subject to a felony charge:
    Quote Quoting California PC Sec. 118.
    (a) Every person who, having taken an oath that he or she will testify, declare, depose, or certify truly before any competent tribunal, officer, or person, in any of the cases in which the oath may by law of the State of California be administered, willfully and contrary to the oath, states as true any material matter which he or she knows to be false, and every person who testifies, declares, deposes, or certifies under penalty of perjury in any of the cases in which the testimony, declarations, depositions, or certification is permitted by law of the State of California under penalty of perjury and willfully states as true any material matter which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of perjury.

    This subdivision is applicable whether the statement, or the testimony, declaration, deposition, or certification is made or subscribed within or without the State of California.

    (b) No person shall be convicted of perjury where proof of falsity rests solely upon contradiction by testimony of a single person other than the defendant. Proof of falsity may be established by direct or indirect evidence.
    You cannot lawfully apply for a license without revealing your suspension.

  3. #3
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    Default Re: Getting a Driver's License While Suspended in Another Country



    California DMV only asks if your license was ever suspended. It doesn't ask if I have a driving licence in any other city or country. Of course I wouldn't willingly give false statement but even if I do, I doubt they could find out.

  4. #4
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    Default Re: Getting a Driver's License While Suspended in Another Country

    You wouldn't be asking us if we thought they would catch you for committing the crime of lying on your application if you weren't thinking about committing that crime.

  5. #5
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    Default Re: Getting a Driver's License While Suspended in Another Country

    The key takeaway here is that the suspension is over with per the OP. California likely would not deny you for having been suspended when you are currently not. Just answer honestly, and you likely have nothing to worry about.

  6. #6
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    Default Re: Getting a Driver's License While Suspended in Another Country

    He's stating that the suspension has ended such that he's eligible for reinstatement, but that he has not yet actually reinstated his Turkish license ("I am studying here and it's quite hard to go back and do the procedure").

  7. #7
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    Default Re: Getting a Driver's License While Suspended in Another Country

    More to the point.... Even if he answers Yes, does the department of motor vehicles in California have any such jurisduction to enforce a suspension from Turkey? They share no compact. I doubt it would be an issue.

  8. #8
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    Default Re: Getting a Driver's License While Suspended in Another Country

    He will have to jump through the necessary hoops:

    https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/dl/dlapp_lnks

    Regardless of his license status in Turkey, he will have to apply for and complete the necessary testing for a CA license.

  9. #9
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    Default Re: Getting a Driver's License While Suspended in Another Country

    That would be the case for any unlicensed driver.

  10. #10
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    Default Re: Getting a Driver's License While Suspended in Another Country

    Which is what he is.

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