Hi Everybody,

Today I went to DPS (Texas) to file for Driving licence with my Passport & SSN. The lady checked my I-94 and said that since it has a validity of 3 months only (till July) I cant file for Driving licence :-( They need I-94 with a validity of 1 year & atleast 6 mths remaining to expire. She suggested getting an international licence through AAA. Am in a fix now. I did not get international licence from my home country.

Can AAA issue a international licence to a non-citizen?
Does this mean I cant drive untill my Status is Adjusted (AOS)?
Do I have to apply for Driving Licence after getting AOS approval?
Has anyone else faced the same problem?
What other means of identity I can apply for? (I have my passport & marriage licence with my maiden name. And got my SSN with my married name).

Thanks,
Manya

Sounds like my experience in Oklahoma. they only allow you to have a DL or state ID when you have an EAD card (and the DL would only be valid for the dates the EAD is valid) or your green card in hand. I was allowed to drive using my valid Canadian DL (once they verified that it in fact was valid) until I got my GC, and then I went in and got my OKlahoma DL.

I faced the same problem in Mississippi. To obtain a state DL, I needed to prove at least 6 months of valid immigration status. When I arrived my I-94 didn't meet that, so I had to wait for my EAD to arrive, and even then I only got a DL that was valid for the dates of the GC. I was told to go back and renew using my GC once my current DL expires.

I don't think there's much you can do to get a state license until you have your EAD. An international license might work, but I would assume there is a state requirement on how soon a new resident of the state can use an out of state license before it becomes invalid in the state (and I assume this also applies to an international license).

Apart from your passport, a state issued DL and an ID card, I can't think of anything else you could apply for that would count as valid ID (not counting SSN because it contains no biometric data about you).

Call the local AAA office and ask them if they can help you with this. Did you apply for EAD - generally that comes before your greencard and you can use it to get your drivers license. I also believe (not sure of this) that you can drive with your Indian license for up to 6 months (double check that with your local DMV). Good Luck

Sounds like us. Andre had to wait for his green card.

He used public transportation for about 5 months.

Just hang in there.

HI,
The same thing happened to my husband today. He went for the driver's test in New Jersey and they wouldn't accept I 94 since it was expiring in June. THey told him they will accept after he adjusts. They didn't mention EAD as one of the documents to obtain a license. One of the guys at the DMV said that he needs international license. However, my husband was told in England that they don't issue International licenses and the UK should be good enough for EU nations and US. Was anyone told something similar?

Can AAA issue a international licence to a non-citizen? International DL are for US Citizens who will be driving while visiting another country...or so we were told by the person we spoke to at AAA. They told my husband he couldn't get one to drive here in the States.

Does this mean I cant drive untill my Status is Adjusted (AOS)? If you have your EAD, you can apply. Again this was our experience.

Do I have to apply for Driving Licence after getting AOS approval? If you want to wait that long, sure. Again, the EAD will usually suffice. However, it does depend on the state, and the state of mind of the person you're dealing with.

What other means of identity I can apply for? (I have my passport & marriage licence with my maiden name. And got my SSN with my married name). Neither of those worked for us. It seems that waiting for the EAD *or* the Green Card is the only way in some states.

Thanks KarenCee. Much appreciated.

Manya

hi,

No other choice than to wait, your wife has many months to drive now.

Jigi

If you have a licenses from India you are good to drive in Texas up to 1 year.

http://info.sos.state.tx.us/pls/pub/readta...ch=15&rl=51


To be legal you will also need a translated copy of your licenses along with your passport when driving.

If your licence is in English you do NOT need an International Driver's Licence. All the IDL does is translate the info on your non-US licence into English. I assume your husband's is in English already, so he doesn't need an IDL. The DMV guy is, surprise, an idiot.

OMG, thats a life saver... I knew I could drive just wasn't able to find this particular link listing all the countries... U know if they do stop, it helps to keep a copy of this page showing that I can drive.. Also my license is in Hindi but I have a certified Translation in english... would that be good enough??

It looks like you are ready to hit the road. You have everything you need to drive for a few months, at least. Have Fun

Hello Manya - I hope you already got a way to get a valid DL. But if not yet, I hope you got your NOAs for your AOS/EAD filing by now. Check with the local DMV if showing them your NOA specifically for the AOS and your marriage certificate is enough for you to be given a DL valid for 1 year from date of AOS application. I thought I would have to wait till my EAD or AOS arrives too, but AZ DMV accepted the NOA+Marriage Certificate.

I tried to do it too. They did not accept it.. Said can't do it in TX