Today we went to the BMV here for Neil to take the test for him to get his learner's permit. WELL...they had never had anyone in there who had dealt with an immigrant. So, the entire process which normally takes 30 mins including the test took us 2hrs. We thought it was over then their infoseek computers to check his SSN weren't working. So, the lady then calls the main office in Indianapolis to find out of they can just give him the permit without checking the stuff since he has already been checked since he has an Indiana ID card. They gave him the learners permit but they gave him a paper copy and had to mail the other stuff off. Should get the main one in 15-30 days. What an experience. At least we were helped right away and didn't have to wait to be called up.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

At least they were trying hard to help you and worked it out for you. There are idiots out there who don't know what they doing and instead they will tell you "sorry, we can't do this here"...That would be very frustrating..

By the way, Congratulations!!

My husband and I went through the same thing last week. No one that worked there had any idea what to do, and we ended up having to go back twice before they would finally let him take the test!

We went through the same thing, unforunately the paper one has expired and now that we have the EAD, it's been a year, so he has to retake the test, well, the idiots at the DMV keep telling us that he will need a new I-94 and his passport before he can retake the test. I'm like how do I get a new I-94 The DMV's web site clearly states that all he needs is his passport, document indicating his status and the EAD. You would think they would know their own requirments right??

I keep threatening to send Claudeth to driving school but haven't thus far. The last time she tried to drive she drove the Mustang into the side of a Del Taco building

oh why did you have to mention del taco? I love del taco! chicken soft taco please

Hi there. I am living in Indy and the verification process for new immigrants that you were introduced to at the license branch is a fairly new procedure. As of early last year, BMV was instructed to send copies of documents that show the immigrants' legal status for verification purposes. They made a copy of my EAD, passport, SSN, marriage certificate, and joint bank account statement that showed my residential addres at the top (to prove residential status). The staff also gave me a piece of paper that acted as my temporary learner's permit after I passed the written test, and a separate piece of paper to explain this verification process. I love the Greenfield office.

You mentioned 15-30 days: was this timeframe provided by a BMV staff? My verification process took 90 days and this timeframe was indicated in the information I was provided. Within a week after the 90th day, I got my learner's permit in the mail.

That little bump cost me about 300 macho beef burritos

Hi all - I've actually been through this process in Indiana as well, 2 years ago when I was working there on an H1B (I'm a Canadian citizen). FIrst, I had to take the test for a learner's permit. Once I passed, they mailed all of my documents to prove my current immigration status to Indianapolis, and in the mean time gave me a piece of paper that served as a temporary learner's permit. It took over 2 months for them to verify my status. I had to hold the learner's permit for 90 days before I could take the test for an unrestricted driver's license. At the 90 day mark, I took the driving exam and passed, and at that point, they had to reverify my immigration status, so they re-sent all of my documents back to Indy a second time, and gave me a sheet of paper that served as a temporary license. This process again took over 2 months. In the end, the license came through but the whole thing took quite a bit of time.

shouldn't laugh but that reminds me of myself!

I have been taught some by my husband but the last time I drove was last september back in England and I crashed my dads GIRLFRIENDS car

I REALLY want to drive but my husband is dubious about getting my permit, he keeps blaming it on the fact that it may be a pain in the butt, but I know hes just worried about the car!

Update on Neil's permit....We got a letter in the mail yesterday from the Indiana BMV. They want a copy of a valid 1-94 OR Valid I-797 approval notice. Looks like he will be taking that test again after he gets approved. GRRRRRR!

Good Luck!!