Getting a DL in Indiana really sucks

[Dr. Obvious 49]

My husband got an 'RFE' from CV office yesterday wanting proof of residency. I thought he gave this to them when he applied. Blah...

Edited January 5, 2008 by Wacken

[JoeCanuk 3]

This is almost as bad as USCIS. To get his license, he has to be centrally verified. It has been two months now and no one knows anything period. No one calls me back and I can't get a hold of them. He can't get a real learning permit until then, only a driving waiver. AGH.

All I had to do was write the test and then do my road test. My I-94 was expired but I told them I have applied for adjustment of status. They let me take the road test. I'm still waiting for my license to arrive in the mail though but it has only been one month. So I have the stamped paper which entitles me to drive.

When did the BMV start thinking immigration matters were any of their business?

[Dr. Obvious 49]

They are making my husband go through the whole learning permit process, so he hasn't even been able to take the road test yet. He has also an allowance to drive, but it is still not what we want, that being a license.

[Mags 112]

This is almost as bad as USCIS. To get his license, he has to be centrally verified. It has been two months now and no one knows anything period. No one calls me back and I can't get a hold of them. He can't get a real learning permit until then, only a driving waiver. AGH.

All I had to do was write the test and then do my road test. My I-94 was expired but I told them I have applied for adjustment of status. They let me take the road test. I'm still waiting for my license to arrive in the mail though but it has only been one month. So I have the stamped paper which entitles me to drive.

When did the BMV start thinking immigration matters were any of their business?

In the last 6 months or so, apparently. Anyone who applies can start learning to drive straight away, but you then have to wait the requisite 2 months before taking the test (this applies to all applicants, not just immigrants). Immigrants have their info sent to Anapolis and then onto USCIS. Until they get the actual learners permit through (rather than the paper permit given at time of application) they cannot take the road test and this seems to take longer than the 2 months. Grrrr.

[JoeCanuk 3]

This is almost as bad as USCIS. To get his license, he has to be centrally verified. It has been two months now and no one knows anything period. No one calls me back and I can't get a hold of them. He can't get a real learning permit until then, only a driving waiver. AGH.

All I had to do was write the test and then do my road test. My I-94 was expired but I told them I have applied for adjustment of status. They let me take the road test. I'm still waiting for my license to arrive in the mail though but it has only been one month. So I have the stamped paper which entitles me to drive.

When did the BMV start thinking immigration matters were any of their business?

In the last 6 months or so, apparently. Anyone who applies can start learning to drive straight away, but you then have to wait the requisite 2 months before taking the test (this applies to all applicants, not just immigrants). Immigrants have their info sent to Anapolis and then onto USCIS. Until they get the actual learners permit through (rather than the paper permit given at time of application) they cannot take the road test and this seems to take longer than the 2 months. Grrrr.

Mags, how did I get my road test then? I wrote the test in October and took the road test in December. I didn't have to wait two months because I had a Canadian license (which they did not take away). I passed the test, got the photo taken, paid the fee, and received a paper permitting me to drive until the license comes whenever it manages to arrive.

I still don't think the BMV has any business in immigration issues. Whatsoever.

[Mags 112]

This is almost as bad as USCIS. To get his license, he has to be centrally verified. It has been two months now and no one knows anything period. No one calls me back and I can't get a hold of them. He can't get a real learning permit until then, only a driving waiver. AGH.

All I had to do was write the test and then do my road test. My I-94 was expired but I told them I have applied for adjustment of status. They let me take the road test. I'm still waiting for my license to arrive in the mail though but it has only been one month. So I have the stamped paper which entitles me to drive.

When did the BMV start thinking immigration matters were any of their business?

In the last 6 months or so, apparently. Anyone who applies can start learning to drive straight away, but you then have to wait the requisite 2 months before taking the test (this applies to all applicants, not just immigrants). Immigrants have their info sent to Anapolis and then onto USCIS. Until they get the actual learners permit through (rather than the paper permit given at time of application) they cannot take the road test and this seems to take longer than the 2 months. Grrrr.

Mags, how did I get my road test then? I wrote the test in October and took the road test in December. I didn't have to wait two months because I had a Canadian license (which they did not take away). I passed the test, got the photo taken, paid the fee, and received a paper permitting me to drive until the license comes whenever it manages to arrive.

I still don't think the BMV has any business in immigration issues. Whatsoever.

Joe, I have no idea how you managed that, but you're very lucky compared to many here! And I agree, I don't think this should be anything to do with the BMV.

[Converse34 1]

In Illinois it was pretty straight forward. All we needed was proof of ID (passport), proof of address (electric bill - just call and add his name on and wait for the bill to come) and SSN card. We got a non driver ID just so we can fly domestically without having to lug the passport.

Learner's permit - just need to take the written exam and should be pretty straight forward now that he has the non driver ID.

[JoeCanuk 3]

This is almost as bad as USCIS. To get his license, he has to be centrally verified. It has been two months now and no one knows anything period. No one calls me back and I can't get a hold of them. He can't get a real learning permit until then, only a driving waiver. AGH.

All I had to do was write the test and then do my road test. My I-94 was expired but I told them I have applied for adjustment of status. They let me take the road test. I'm still waiting for my license to arrive in the mail though but it has only been one month. So I have the stamped paper which entitles me to drive.

When did the BMV start thinking immigration matters were any of their business?

In the last 6 months or so, apparently. Anyone who applies can start learning to drive straight away, but you then have to wait the requisite 2 months before taking the test (this applies to all applicants, not just immigrants). Immigrants have their info sent to Anapolis and then onto USCIS. Until they get the actual learners permit through (rather than the paper permit given at time of application) they cannot take the road test and this seems to take longer than the 2 months. Grrrr.

Mags, how did I get my road test then? I wrote the test in October and took the road test in December. I didn't have to wait two months because I had a Canadian license (which they did not take away). I passed the test, got the photo taken, paid the fee, and received a paper permitting me to drive until the license comes whenever it manages to arrive.

I still don't think the BMV has any business in immigration issues. Whatsoever.

Joe, I have no idea how you managed that, but you're very lucky compared to many here! And I agree, I don't think this should be anything to do with the BMV.

LOL pretty cool. I live in Elkhart county and complain about it alot but I guess they did something right. haha or wrong. But it's all good.

Yeah, when even municipal police have no business with immigration issues, one would think the BMV would keep their noses out of where they don't belong.

[Dr. Obvious 49]

Yeah, when even municipal police have no business with immigration issues...

Heh, when we got in our wreck, my husband asked the police officer if he needed his passport or I-551 for ID. The officer just gave him a look like "Why?".

One of the more amusing things that we learned about Indiana was that I guess you don't need a translation of your license to drive here on it. He just gave the officer his German license untranslated with no international license and that was fine and dandy enough for the officer. If was a problem, he would have been cited.

[JoeCanuk 3]

Yeah, when even municipal police have no business with immigration issues...

Heh, when we got in our wreck, my husband asked the police officer if he needed his passport or I-551 for ID. The officer just gave him a look like "Why?".

One of the more amusing things that we learned about Indiana was that I guess you don't need a translation of your license to drive here on it. He just gave the officer his German license untranslated with no international license and that was fine and dandy enough for the officer. If was a problem, he would have been cited.

Sorry about the wreck but I'm glad the officer didn't have a problem with his license.

As far as I know, local police have no business with immigration issues. There job is not to be out hunting illegals and any cop who does should lose his badge.

[milimelo 4,253]

Here's my overview of driving test today (at East Chicago BMV).

I was scheduled for 1130 to take the road test. I arrived with my husband's friend's mother at 1115 (good thing my hubby did not come - according to him I either drive too slowly or can't do it and I had my foreign Dl for 5 years!!!). We checked in - I gave them my LP, insurance card, car papers (new car so do not have registration yet) and my licensed driver's DL. This tall, greying man in his 50s with glasses was going to come with me. We went outside, he made me start the car and per his instructions I stepped on the break, then turned on turn signals - for him to check. After he was satisfied all was ok, he got in and we went for a drive - asked if I had any major medical conditions, was I even convicted. He told me to drive in the neighbourhood - over by the hospital, turn left here, turn right there, let's do parallel parking, for about 10 minutes. He asked me how old I was and did I drive before - explained to him they did not recognize my foreign DL so had to do everything from scratch. Asked whether I liked America and where I'm from - the usual things. We then returned to BMV where he told me I passed and that the colleagues are going to issue my DL.

Now here's the deal - the lady double checked my information and then I made sure she did not put me on the voters' registry as I am not a USC. He asked, oh really? The system shows no indication of that - which is good for you as you will get an unrestricted DL right now (instead of having to wait for the papers to check and getting it in the mail). She said someone made a mistake but it's all good for me, and that I was the second person in two days that this has happened with.

So, now I have a DL good until 2012.

Highly recommend East Chicago BMV

[Ephesia 0]

Hahaha the same thing happened to me. Hubby expected me to get the usual piece of paper telling me I have to wait 90 days for my license to be issued blah blah blah, because he saw me get that letter when I had to wait for my learner's permit.

The very nice lady checked her screen, kept smiling and talked with me about cookies and baking, and then bam! She handed me my shiny new license. My husband started to ask about central verification but I kicked his foot under the counter, so he bit his lip. I think we half ran out of the branch in case she changed her mind.

Now here's the deal - the lady double checked my information and then I made sure she did not put me on the voters' registry as I am not a USC. He asked, oh really? The system shows no indication of that - which is good for you as you will get an unrestricted DL right now (instead of having to wait for the papers to check and getting it in the mail). She said someone made a mistake but it's all good for me, and that I was the second person in two days that this has happened with.

So, now I have a DL good until 2012.

Highly recommend East Chicago BMV

[eau_xplain 2]

All I had to do was write the test and then do my road test. My I-94 was expired but I told them I have applied for adjustment of status. They let me take the road test. I'm still waiting for my license to arrive in the mail though but it has only been one month. So I have the stamped paper which entitles me to drive.

When did the BMV start thinking immigration matters were any of their business?

In the last 6 months or so, apparently. Anyone who applies can start learning to drive straight away, but you then have to wait the requisite 2 months before taking the test (this applies to all applicants, not just immigrants). Immigrants have their info sent to Anapolis and then onto USCIS. Until they get the actual learners permit through (rather than the paper permit given at time of application) they cannot take the road test and this seems to take longer than the 2 months. Grrrr.

Mags, how did I get my road test then? I wrote the test in October and took the road test in December. I didn't have to wait two months because I had a Canadian license (which they did not take away). I passed the test, got the photo taken, paid the fee, and received a paper permitting me to drive until the license comes whenever it manages to arrive.

I still don't think the BMV has any business in immigration issues. Whatsoever.

Joe, I have no idea how you managed that, but you're very lucky compared to many here! And I agree, I don't think this should be anything to do with the BMV.

Blame it all on the Real ID Act. I think they're just about to start implementing this full swing after giving the states a chance to work on getting their ID systems (DL and state IDs) up to standards set by this Real ID law.

[Mags 112]

All I had to do was write the test and then do my road test. My I-94 was expired but I told them I have applied for adjustment of status. They let me take the road test. I'm still waiting for my license to arrive in the mail though but it has only been one month. So I have the stamped paper which entitles me to drive.

When did the BMV start thinking immigration matters were any of their business?

In the last 6 months or so, apparently. Anyone who applies can start learning to drive straight away, but you then have to wait the requisite 2 months before taking the test (this applies to all applicants, not just immigrants). Immigrants have their info sent to Anapolis and then onto USCIS. Until they get the actual learners permit through (rather than the paper permit given at time of application) they cannot take the road test and this seems to take longer than the 2 months. Grrrr.

Mags, how did I get my road test then? I wrote the test in October and took the road test in December. I didn't have to wait two months because I had a Canadian license (which they did not take away). I passed the test, got the photo taken, paid the fee, and received a paper permitting me to drive until the license comes whenever it manages to arrive.

I still don't think the BMV has any business in immigration issues. Whatsoever.

Joe, I have no idea how you managed that, but you're very lucky compared to many here! And I agree, I don't think this should be anything to do with the BMV.

Blame it all on the Real ID Act. I think they're just about to start implementing this full swing after giving the states a chance to work on getting their ID systems (DL and state IDs) up to standards set by this Real ID law.

I know that the area where we live (and a few surrounding counties in central Indiana) have just had brand spanking new systems implemented. Perhaps this is why we are having to do the waiting.

[Dr. Obvious 49]

We l0se.

Then I get this e-mail a few days ago from the DMV in Wisconsin where they do say they recognize German licenses and no CVP (yet anyway). ####### was I doing wasting my time here? I l0se.