Letting CA driver's license lapse

Is there any reason to keep your U.S. driver's license up to date (mine's from California) if you're living in the UK? Mine has come up for renewal and they're asking me to come in to the DMV to give fingerprints, take a new photo, and take a vision test. Not easy when I don't plan on returning until December! Supposedly I can ask for a free one-year extension but the number I was given is "too busy" and won't let me wait to speak to anyone.

I can't think of any reason I need my old license, but is there anything I'm missing? I've already been in the UK for over a year so can't use it for driving here and I have my passport and BRP for ID. Anything else?

If you return to the US, you'd have to retest.  That's the only negative I can think of.

I'm in the same boat.  My CA license just expired on Feb. 5, and I won't be in California until the end of March.  I'll admit to fretting about it, but I let it expire for a few reasons. 

1) I don't really need it since I can drive on my UK license (which I got exactly one week before my CA license expired!).

2) It's yet another factor in favor of my not being liable for CA income tax - the state that tries to tax anyone who doesn't move past the state fast enough. 

3)  I'm pretty sure (not positive, admittedly) it's not legal to have a CA license when you don't live there.

Besides an emotional tie (I've had a CA license my entire adult life!), the idea of having to take the test again was probably the most worrisome aspect (particularly after struggling so much with the UK test!), but it's unlikely that I'll need to get another CA driver's license anyway.  Not to mention, after finally passing the UK test I feel rather invincible - the CA driver's test should be a piece of cake after that one! 

Have I mentioned recently that I passed my UK driver's test?   

I'm pretty sure (not positive, admittedly) it's not legal to have a CA license when you don't live there.

This is my understanding regarding Florida. Which may be different.

This is my understanding regarding Florida. Which may be different.

You know, I've never been able to figure this out.  I still have a Florida license.  I just returned on Sunday from a trip over.  I carry it to get discounts.    

But I do wonder, if I get pulled over, do I give them my UK license?  Are they then going to think I've tried to pull one over on them if I give them my UK license as I have a Florida license in my wallet?  I've decided I'll just go with full disclosure and show them ALL my licenses if I'm pulled over and just explain. 

I carry it to get discounts.    

Disney alone can be a big savings. But you may be sick of Disney by now. I remember popping in just to have dinner at the Mexican Pavilion in Epcot.

I don't really know a lot about the legalities. I just remember reading that when you get a license renewed, you are attesting that you live at the listed address. So technically....

Disney alone can be a big savings. But you may be sick of Disney by now. I remember popping in just to have dinner at the Mexican Pavilion in Epcot.

I don't really know a lot about the legalities. I just remember reading that when you get a license renewed, you are attesting that you live at the listed address. So technically....

Good point.  I got a new license 3 days before moving to the UK (changed my residency from Colorado to Florida).  My parents live at the address on my license, so at least I'm not using some random address at a house someone else lives in.

I saved $79 on a hotel in Orlando one night when we were there for being a Florida resident. 

I'm planning on letting mine die a quiet death. I don't plan to go back very often anyway .....maybe every 3 years or so, and if my older brothers (who are not healthy) die......I won't go back at all.

Thank you for the advice, everyone. Sounds like there aren't any consequences for letting it lapse (besides not being able to drive in the U.S., of course).

2) It's yet another factor in favor of my not being liable for CA income tax - the state that tries to tax anyone who doesn't move past the state fast enough. 

If you convince California that you're not returning there but you haven't moved to another state then do you not have to file state taxes anywhere? And does that mean you also can't vote in primaries?

Congratulations on passing your UK driving test. 

Thank you for the advice, everyone. Sounds like there aren't any consequences for letting it lapse (besides not being able to drive in the U.S., of course).

If you convince California that you're not returning there but you haven't moved to another state then do you not have to file state taxes anywhere? And does that mean you also can't vote in primaries?

Congratulations on passing your UK driving test. 

I'm not sure about CA income tax if you've moved to another country rather than another state.  The instructions are a bit confusing (no surprise there!  ).  I'm pretty sure you're still able to vote, but I don't know how that works in regards to state residency for tax purposes.  Sorry about the lack of info but, for some odd reason, every time I start to read tax instructions I have an uncontrollable urge to take a nap.   

Thanks for the congrats on my license! 

Thank you for the advice, everyone. Sounds like there aren't any consequences for letting it lapse (besides not being able to drive in the U.S., of course).

Not too sure of the rules.....but UK drivers can certainly rent cars in the US.....so I would think you could drive? at least for a time.....I think my wife had a month when we moved back there in 2011.

In AZ your driver's license is good until you're 65 and it's not rendered invalid for moving overseas (I checked), so no chance of mine lapsing for awhile!