3. I live in California -- should I get a California license?
California law requires that most people obtain a California driver license within ten days of becoming a California resident (CVC 12505). (At least two exceptions are certain military and farm driving situations). Therefore, if your presence in the state is more than temporary or transient, and you do not have evidence that your primary residence is in another state, then you are likely required to get a California license in order to drive here legally.
In addition, as you will see below, if you intend to stay here, then you may very well wish to obtain at least restricted driving privileges in the event that you suffer a DUI conviction in Mendocino County court or a suspension of driving privileges from the Santa Rosa DMV. Restricted "work" privileges cannot be issued for non-California licenses.
Therefore Mendocino DUI lawyers generally advise most drivers who intend to stay in California that they should immediately apply for and obtain a California driver license in order to ease the consequences of a subsequent DUI conviction or suspension and become eligible for maximum driving privileges at the earliest opportunity. In these situations, speak to a Ukiah DUI lawyer about the advisability of having a new California license in hand before allowing a conviction or DMV suspension to start, in order to avoid having your temporary California License Cancelled before just before issuance because of an intervening conviction resulting in a home state suspension and California cancellation. Although each person's situation is unique, a Ukiah DUI attorney may even be able to Reverse A Foreign Suspension in time to prevent cancellation of a California license.
Local DMV practice in Mendocino County (both Santa Rosa and Petaluma DMV field offices) has been that you are allowed to apply and take the test(s) prior to, but not during, any actual suspension, and therefore assuring the fastest return of driving privileges typically counsels immediate application for a California license; this approach is particularly important to consider if there are no viable defenses in your Mendocino County DUI case, and this is usually the best information for those who have no prior DUI's and who missed the 10-day rule for requesting a DMV hearing (the 10-day rule is described under "Contact DMV" at Ten Tips For the First 48 Hours After Arrest on this site). Ask a Ukiah DUI lawyer if this approach would be helpful in your individual circumstances.
Click on Driver License Information to find fast information on getting a California license. Click on Ten Tips For Easing the Consequences Of a DUI on this site for a detailed discussion about restricted "work" driving privileges. Consult with a Mendocino County DUI lawyer about your specific case.