Hey all!

Well I made it safely to the USA and am so happy to be back with my beautiful Zach

I am feeling some what depressed right now though as I feel like the US government is trying to keep me from doing anything in the next few months
I just went to the Texas DMV to enquire about getting a drivers licence and I was informed that I cannot even take the written test until I have a greencard! I didn't have a full licence in my home country. Has nayone else come across this and is there another way to get around it? It is bad enough that I cannot work for awhile, let alone go anywhere!

Thanks in advance for any help

Jenna

Every State is different. I'm in Montana... Origionally from Canada... when I went in and inquired they informed me that my Canadian Drivers lisence is as good as a US to them, and they did a transfer and handed me a US lisence.. no test, just a pictures, $$, prove or Visa, and residency (my lease agreement)

Heather

I'm from Canada as well, now living in Washington state. I did not require the GC, but I did require a SSN. I could drive with my Canadian licence for a certain amount of time, but I think it was only a month after I moved here.

I had to retake the written test and the driver's test to get my Washington licence.

Like the previous poster said, every state has different rules.

Yes every state is different, NY requires SSN, and EAD or Green card to apply for a drivers license.

Minnesota requires just SSN, EAD or green card, for drivers licenses. You just take the written test and road test to get it.

My husband received a TX driver's license in Houston without a SSN or EAD. He took the tests and passed them...provided our address...and that was it.

It's not the same in Austin, however, where we live.

In Oklahoma I and other VJ'ers were told either show the EAD (and you'd get a DL only valid for the length of the EAD), or wait until receiving the greencard to get a normal DL.

If I didn't have my valid Canadian DL, I would have been out of luck and stuck at home.

Either try again when you get your EAD card, or try another DMV office. Sometimes you get a different answer.

In Oregon I needed a SSN, my old frivers liceanse, and my passport and proof of recidency here in OR. They I took a written test and paid some $$ and got the liceanse for 8 years. But try a different DMV - you might get someone who knows different.

kansas - no ssn required, i-94 and passport was required. nessa had to take the vision, written, and driving test.

I know the rules vary from state to state. We've had the same issue..."you have to wait for the greencard." I cannot tell you how many times I called the DMV asking them questions. Then a couple weeks ago I had my hubby go in to just get a state I.D. I asked the lady helping him when he can get his drivers license. She proceeds to tell us that he CAN get a license, that it will just expire when his EAD expires the end of this year. I told her the run around we have been getting and she just rolled her eyes. She said no one there knows what they're talking about. Just keep on them. Maybe no one there has a clue what they are doing too.

An EAD card and SS# or an affadavit if you have no SS# is is sufficent in TX

http://www.dmv.org/tx-texas/apply-license.php

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administratio...equirements.htm

Michigan requires EAD or Green Card and SSN. No problems just another $70 in an already expensive process.

Thanks everyone.. I thought maybe I could get the Texas ID card and then go from there but alas I need the same paperwork for that as I do for the ID. GRRRRRRRRRR

Anyway I WILL keep trying and see what other DMV offices say. I WILL NOT BE STUCK IN MY HOUSE ALL DAY FOR THE NEXT 3 MONTH OR HOWEVER LONG IT WILL TAKE!

Thanks again for your help....

Hey all!

Well I made it safely to the USA and am so happy to be back with my beautiful Zach

I am feeling some what depressed right now though as I feel like the US government is trying to keep me from doing anything in the next few months
I just went to the Texas DMV to enquire about getting a drivers licence and I was informed that I cannot even take the written test until I have a greencard! I didn't have a full licence in my home country. Has nayone else come across this and is there another way to get around it? It is bad enough that I cannot work for awhile, let alone go anywhere!

Thanks in advance for any help

Jenna
[/quote]

i dont know why that is we too had trouble getting anywhere here in Wisconsin. But then I told the lady how is it that we see tons of illegal's here in nice cars and driving and my husband is here and loves me and wants to work but can't until he proves stuff. but yet we american's allow the illegal's too do just that.

ok all we needed was a S.S.N and proof of residency so take a bank statement and bills with joint accounts and your SSN and u tell them that you didnt' come here with a K-1 and not knowing your rights. put it on thick and good luck... my husband never had a drivers license in morocco either. best of luck!!! don't give up.. oh, take passport and a I.D card and birth ceretificate along with proof of residency..

Hello...

i have looked at the identification requirements. under the category of primary identification, it says foreign passport with I-94. The secondary documents probably do not apply. The supporting documents that can be used would be Social Security card, and Marriage License. I was under the assumption that the passport is enough..Is that true??

My fiance is coming on monday under a K1 visa. how do we apply for SSN??

So you've decided to get a bicycle?

I just went to The DMV in TN (with SS# and EAD card) and was told with out a permanent residence card (Green card) I can’t get a DL license at all. I can’t even do the written or driving test or get a simple ID card.

hey congrats

just take the EAD stamp card to the local SSoffice.. we took every piece of evidence we had on him and we were able to get one all though it took over a month cuz the guy didnt process it and he was just a prick.

Hi there, Ive also been trying for a licence in Texas, I have a full South African licence, but the DMV in North Texas dont care,they want your I-94 to be valid for more than 3 months.. so best to wait for the EAD or greencard, some people have been really lucky by applying for their ID and then the TX drivers licence, but I think you have to get an airhead who will just dish one out. Its a pitty you dont have a licence from your own country, you are allowed to drive for up to a year on a foreign licence in Texas! However your insurance is way more as ive discovered!! good luck

We live in the Frisco/Dallas area...can't get even a driver's permit without the green card...you really need to wait for your permanent resident card before they issue you a permit and state ID as well...

Good luck and Godspeed,

Ummm you need to refer to my post above and the Texas DMV site. An EAD is all that is required for a Texas DL/ID. If you have difficulties with a local member of staff ask for a supervisor and refer them to the published requirements.

Hi, EAD is definitely ok for a Texas DL/ID. I saw that the OP (K1) is in Texas. I assumed they will get married soon and if they are within the Dallas District, they could file AOS thru the DORA Program without filing for an EAD. The green card arrives sooner thru this program, thus it is not practical to file and pay for EAD. But if they wanted to file both, and whichever got approved first, it can be used to apply for a TX DL/ID.

God bless,

Hi Jenna,

Good luck on your immigration journey. From my experience here in New York State, I got my Canadian license transferred over, as NYS has an exchange agreement with Canada. I only had to pay the $40 license fee, which is good for 5 years. No written tests or road tests required for me either. Maybe you can ask of your state has some sort of exchange agreement with your former country too? What's needed for a NYS driver's license though is a SS#, which I got a couple of weeks later after I got my Green Card. Meanwhile, throughout the entire time I was in the USA, I just drove with my Canadian license, which was perfectly legal to do. The only frustration I had in driving with a Canadian license was that was still in my old maiden last name (which I really hate), not in my new married last name (which I really like).

Ant

Has anyone looked into this?


Adults Visiting California
Visitors over 18 years old with
a valid driver license from their
home state or country may drive in
California without getting a driver
license as long as their home state
license remains valid.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/dl600.pdf

...and you aren't considered a resident until you are working. (See 'New Residents')


So, as I'm understanding the law, for those K-1 and K-3 beneficiaries who already have valid licenses from their country of origin do NOT need to go out and get a license until you have gotten your Green Card.

Haha yes I guess that is probably what will happen!

As most have reported a green card is required in order to obtain a Texas DL. If you have a DL form another country it is permissible to drive in TX for up to one year as long as the lisencing country has reciprocity. http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administratio...s_dl_id.htm#q51

The web link below provides a list of acceptible documentation required to prove identity, a necessary step in getting a TX DL

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administratio...equirements.htm

Cheers

Just an FYI on what documentation is acceptable for obtaining an DL in California:


Only the original or a certified copy of one of the following documents is acceptable:

* US Birth Certificate
* US Certificate or Report of Birth Abroad
* Federal Proof of Indian Blood Degree
* INS American Indian Card
* Birth Certificate or passport issued from a US Territory
* US Passport
* US Military Identification Cards (Active or reserve duty, dependent, retired member, discharged from service, medical/religious personnel)
* Common Access Card (only if designated as Active military or Active Reserve or Active Selected Reserve)
* Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship
* Northern Mariana Card
* INS US Citizen ID Card
* Permanent Resident Card
* Temporary Resident Identification Card
* Canadian Passport/Birth Certificate
* Non-resident Alien Canadian Border Crossing Card
* Valid foreign passport with a valid Record of Arrival/Departure (form I-94)
* Certification from California Department of Corrections or California Youth Authority
* Employment Authorization Card
* Permanent Resident Re-entry Permit
* Refugee travel document
* "Processed for I-551" stamped in a valid foreign passport
* Valid I-94 stamped "Refugee," "Parole or Parolee," "Asylee," or Section 207, Section 208, Section 209, Section 212d(2), HP or PIP
* Immigration judge's order granting asylum
* Certified court order or judgment issued from a court of competent jurisdiction.
* Valid I-94 with attached photo stamped "Processed for I-551 temporary evidence of lawful admission for permanent residence"
* Notice of Action (I-797 Approved Petition)
* Mexican Border Crossing Card with valid I-94

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.htm#BDLP

Hello,

In case there's anybody from Missouri, I found the requirements for Non USC's:

-SSN
If there's not a SSN available, a letter from SSA regarding the status of the SSN

Proof of residency (Can be an utility bill, paycheck, etc.)

Proof of lawful permanent residence:
- I-551 (Resident Alien Card)
- Passport stamped with "Approved 1-551"
-Passport stamped with "Processed for 1-551"
-Reentry Permit 1-327
- I-194 stamped "Processed for I-551"

Aplicants for AOS:
-EAD 1-688B or I-766 or Passport

K-1 & K-3
I-194 and passport


http://www.dor.mo.gov/mvdl/drivers/idrequirements.pdf

Jenna,

I got my license using my EAD as ID. It expires in Oct 2007, but my license has an exp. of 2013! If you are yet to get an EAD, you can drive on your UK license for upto 1 year. I did this for 4 months before getting my TX license. The car insurance company also had no problem insuring me using my UK license.

James.

I heard that in Fl you can get your DL with only the I-94. Now I have to go get the test booklet study guide for my fiance. Let's hope he understands Spanish because there is no Portuguese test...