DMV nightmare

[kimandfred 0]

Hi everyone,

I just got back from the DMV to get my driving license. They issued me a temporary driving license that will expire March 24th, once my I94 expires. I asked them what I was supposed to do to get it extended and they replied that after I get my green card, they will issue a regular driving license. I told them that I will not get my green card anytime soon since I sent my AOS 3 weeks ago yet I still need to be able to drive while waiting for that adjustment. They told me I was not allowed to drive once it expires.

Then I asked what about my international driving license which I do have and which is valid for a couple of years. The lady told me she didn't really know and that to be honest she had no idea about international driving license. Hum, don't you think someone working from the DMV would know about that? Apparently not...I kept my calm and I was still polite but I couldn't just leave like that, I needed some answers so she called her boss.

I explained everything again and I then I ask if maybe we could cancel the driving license they just issued to me so that I could use my international driving license instead. She said that even if we did that, there is still a record of a driving license issued to me back in 1998 (I already had one when I was a foreign exchange student in 1998). So I asked her what can I do, what document can I give her so that I would legally be allowed to drive in the US once my I94 expired. She said that I just couldn't. I tried to explained to her that once I'll get my work permit and I'm gonna need to drive so it's a problem but she just couldn't help me. She said that after it expires, I can't drive.

Finally she gave me a list of document I could provide to get my license extended. After leaving the office, I looked at this list and on it appears "employment authorization" so I guess once I'll get it, I will go back to the DMV and ask them to extend it. Then, once I get my green card I'll have to go back again for another driving license.

The thing is that instead of just telling me that I had to wait for my work permit and come back to get the license extended, the people at the DMV kept saying that they didn't really know and that I just couldn't drive after it expires.

Anyway, I've been here for 2 months now and I do have a feeling like I'm really not welcome here, really. I've had problem with social security and now the DMV, not to mention the amazing journey for the K1 Visa. These people at the DMV treated me like I was some kind of illegal immigrant trying to sneak around. I'm not welcome here and I think I got it but I wish things and the way some people are acting was a little different. I'm a bit disappointed by this attitude, especially from a country that has been built on immigration. I understand we live in a post 9/11 world blablabla but it doesn't excuse this attitude. Of course not everyone is like that but my various experience so far have been rather upsetting. Maybe it's me, maybe I'm just another French snob or something, ahahaha!

Anyway, the problem is that there is going to be a gap between the time my driving license expire and the time I get my temporary work permit during which I won't be allowed to drive and this doesn't make much sense.

I would like to hear if anyone has has any similar experience with the DMV.

Thanks

[Converse34 1]

Hey, don't be discouraged! LOTS of people on this site have had HUGE problems with SSN and the DMV. I am a USC and have numerous issues with these things. Once you get your EAD, which should be before your DL expires, just go back and show them the EAD and the document that shows EAD is sufficient to have a full license. You just have to do your homework and be prepared with these people. Keep us posted!

[spauldingjeffrey 0]

Hi everyone,

I just got back from the DMV to get my driving license. They issued me a temporary driving license that will expire March 24th, once my I94 expires. I asked them what I was supposed to do to get it extended and they replied that after I get my green card, they will issue a regular driving license. I told them that I will not get my green card anytime soon since I sent my AOS 3 weeks ago yet I still need to be able to drive while waiting for that adjustment. They told me I was not allowed to drive once it expires.

Then I asked what about my international driving license which I do have and which is valid for a couple of years. The lady told me she didn't really know and that to be honest she had no idea about international driving license. Hum, don't you think someone working from the DMV would know about that? Apparently not...I kept my calm and I was still polite but I couldn't just leave like that, I needed some answers so she called her boss.

I explained everything again and I then I ask if maybe we could cancel the driving license they just issued to me so that I could use my international driving license instead. She said that even if we did that, there is still a record of a driving license issued to me back in 1998 (I already had one when I was a foreign exchange student in 1998). So I asked her what can I do, what document can I give her so that I would legally be allowed to drive in the US once my I94 expired. She said that I just couldn't. I tried to explained to her that once I'll get my work permit and I'm gonna need to drive so it's a problem but she just couldn't help me. She said that after it expires, I can't drive.

Finally she gave me a list of document I could provide to get my license extended. After leaving the office, I looked at this list and on it appears "employment authorization" so I guess once I'll get it, I will go back to the DMV and ask them to extend it. Then, once I get my green card I'll have to go back again for another driving license.

The thing is that instead of just telling me that I had to wait for my work permit and come back to get the license extended, the people at the DMV kept saying that they didn't really know and that I just couldn't drive after it expires.

Anyway, I've been here for 2 months now and I do have a feeling like I'm really not welcome here, really. I've had problem with social security and now the DMV, not to mention the amazing journey for the K1 Visa. These people at the DMV treated me like I was some kind of illegal immigrant trying to sneak around. I'm not welcome here and I think I got it but I wish things and the way some people are acting was a little different. I'm a bit disappointed by this attitude, especially from a country that has been built on immigration. I understand we live in a post 9/11 world blablabla but it doesn't excuse this attitude. Of course not everyone is like that but my various experience so far have been rather upsetting. Maybe it's me, maybe I'm just another French snob or something, ahahaha!

Anyway, the problem is that there is going to be a gap between the time my driving license expire and the time I get my temporary work permit during which I won't be allowed to drive and this doesn't make much sense.

I would like to hear if anyone has has any similar experience with the DMV.

Thanks

I am not an expert on this but I remember reading somewhere in here that you should be able to drive on your foreign drivers license for at least one year.

[bichon82 0]

Hi everyone,

I just got back from the DMV to get my driving license. They issued me a temporary driving license that will expire March 24th, once my I94 expires. I asked them what I was supposed to do to get it extended and they replied that after I get my green card, they will issue a regular driving license. I told them that I will not get my green card anytime soon since I sent my AOS 3 weeks ago yet I still need to be able to drive while waiting for that adjustment. They told me I was not allowed to drive once it expires.

Then I asked what about my international driving license which I do have and which is valid for a couple of years. The lady told me she didn't really know and that to be honest she had no idea about international driving license. Hum, don't you think someone working from the DMV would know about that? Apparently not...I kept my calm and I was still polite but I couldn't just leave like that, I needed some answers so she called her boss.

I explained everything again and I then I ask if maybe we could cancel the driving license they just issued to me so that I could use my international driving license instead. She said that even if we did that, there is still a record of a driving license issued to me back in 1998 (I already had one when I was a foreign exchange student in 1998). So I asked her what can I do, what document can I give her so that I would legally be allowed to drive in the US once my I94 expired. She said that I just couldn't. I tried to explained to her that once I'll get my work permit and I'm gonna need to drive so it's a problem but she just couldn't help me. She said that after it expires, I can't drive.

Finally she gave me a list of document I could provide to get my license extended. After leaving the office, I looked at this list and on it appears "employment authorization" so I guess once I'll get it, I will go back to the DMV and ask them to extend it. Then, once I get my green card I'll have to go back again for another driving license.

The thing is that instead of just telling me that I had to wait for my work permit and come back to get the license extended, the people at the DMV kept saying that they didn't really know and that I just couldn't drive after it expires.

Anyway, I've been here for 2 months now and I do have a feeling like I'm really not welcome here, really. I've had problem with social security and now the DMV, not to mention the amazing journey for the K1 Visa. These people at the DMV treated me like I was some kind of illegal immigrant trying to sneak around. I'm not welcome here and I think I got it but I wish things and the way some people are acting was a little different. I'm a bit disappointed by this attitude, especially from a country that has been built on immigration. I understand we live in a post 9/11 world blablabla but it doesn't excuse this attitude. Of course not everyone is like that but my various experience so far have been rather upsetting. Maybe it's me, maybe I'm just another French snob or something, ahahaha!

Anyway, the problem is that there is going to be a gap between the time my driving license expire and the time I get my temporary work permit during which I won't be allowed to drive and this doesn't make much sense.

I would like to hear if anyone has has any similar experience with the DMV.

Thanks

Don't worry you can use your international driving licence here NO PROBLEM! I had the same experience only that the DMV manager knew that I could use my international licence while my US one is expired (like now for example). Ne t'en fais pas!! It's all part of the immigration process and we've all been there!! Bonne chance pour la suite!

[lostinblue 1,989]

http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/license.htm#d...romothernations

This is from ny state.

[john & jean 37]

Hello, I can only tell you that most DMV employees have an I.Q. of twenty. I think most DMV offices have a high ranking trooper, there to handle questions like that. Most of them would as soon brush you off as make an effort to help.... If they give you the immigrant attitude, remind them the only true American, is the American Indian. Everyone else, IMMIGRANTS..... Best Wishes John&Jean

[robburnsefc 0]

I had the same issue - and they wouldnt give me a temp license because I didnt have enough time on my I94. They told me the worst would be if I got stopped that the cops would tell me to get a license. Actually I did get stopped and the cop saw my license, told me to slow down and get on my way (I did say I was just visiting!).

Anyway, you can get your full license with your EA Card, as it happens I got my Green Card two days after I passed my US Driving test and I am waiting for my full DMV Card now.

Persevere, you wont get in trouble if you arent doing anything wrong!

[kimandfred 0]

Thanks for the replies and support!

John&Jean's comment really gave me a good laugh

I'll keep you posted once I get my EAD, that should be fun...

[Erin and Muraari 0]

Yes don't be discouraged. My wife (who is the US citizen) has had enormously difficulties with the DMV, Social Security and changing her name etc etc. On the other hand, not all the country is like that. When we lived in Seattle, even though we had some incredibly complex issues, they treated us very well and fairly. Also, yes if you ask DMV or SSA people questions about what to do, chances are they will give you incorrect info or be rude about it. However, if you have done your homework (in this case re: the EAD to get a drivers licenses), while they can be rude, and may give you a hard time, in the end you will end up talking to someone who knows the rules and will help you out.

Hey, don't be discouraged! LOTS of people on this site have had HUGE problems with SSN and the DMV. I am a USC and have numerous issues with these things. Once you get your EAD, which should be before your DL expires, just go back and show them the EAD and the document that shows EAD is sufficient to have a full license. You just have to do your homework and be prepared with these people. Keep us posted!

Edited February 14, 2008 by Erin and Muraari

[AnneiyAndJacky 0]

Hello, I can only tell you that most DMV employees have an I.Q. of twenty. I think most DMV offices have a high ranking trooper, there to handle questions like that. Most of them would as soon brush you off as make an effort to help.... If they give you the immigrant attitude, remind them the only true American, is the American Indian. Everyone else, IMMIGRANTS..... Best Wishes John&Jean

hahaha!!! i totally agree.... i have the same issue here.. i only got my temporary driver license.. ive been waiting for my card since i passed my driving test in december 2007 (I havent received my state ID since october) nobody from DMV told me that i should've showed my EAD too... not until i called them last week, i have been told to fax again my copy of EAD and wait again for another 30days.. this is really irritating.....

[Empress of Groovy 373]

Greetings!

I'm a USC, and I've run into all kinds of mouth-breathers at the DMV in various states, so you're in distinguished company! (kind of)

It's amazing how much homework you have to do so that you can do other people's jobs for them. My husband had a gap in EADs last year and didn't have a valid U.S. license for a few weeks. I'm not surprised that people at the DMV didn't know what to tell you about the international license. You may want to call your local police department or state highway patrol (depending on the state) and ask; they're really the only people you have to worry about. If you get pulled over and pull out your international license, they may give you a hard time. Also, you may want to check with your auto insurance agent to make sure you're covered w/o a valid U.S. license. In Arizona, where we live, my husband was insured during his "nonlicensed" period because we're married and on the same insurance, but you may want to check. As with everything, it seems, the laws vary by state. What doesn't seem to vary by state is the level of dumbassery you encounter when you set foot in the door.

I know that the ineptitude at the DMV is staggering. Hang in there, once your EAD arrives you'll be good to go. And look at it this way: You'll get to visit your friends at the DMV again!

[Krikit 1,163]

In Florida I just had to show them my original I-797c Notice of Action. I took a look at the Wisconsin DMV site and it shows that's all they require, also:

The following documents are acceptable proof of U.S. citizenship, legal permanent resident status, legal conditional resident status or legal presence in the U.S.

DHS/USCIS federal form I-797, notice of action

Take them a copy of that page and try again. You may also want to try another office. A lot of staff are unfamiliar with how to process legal residents. Good luck.

[kimandfred 0]

In Florida I just had to show them my original I-797c Notice of Action. I took a look at the Wisconsin DMV site and it shows that's all they require, also:

The following documents are acceptable proof of U.S. citizenship, legal permanent resident status, legal conditional resident status or legal presence in the U.S.

DHS/USCIS federal form I-797, notice of action

Take them a copy of that page and try again. You may also want to try another office. A lot of staff are unfamiliar with how to process legal residents. Good luck.

We showed them his 797c's, one for the AOS and one for the EAD, and they said they were useless because it was pending and didn't give the exact dates of how long Fred is allowed to be here. I've had my own problems with the DMV and I'm the USC, but it was just amazing how incompetent the people were. They just kept saying 'I don't know...' and then they weren't trying to find out.

-Kim

[sj5 4]

don't be disappointed...I had trouble with DMV too.lol

[Krikit 1,163]

We showed them his 797c's, one for the AOS and one for the EAD, and they said they were useless because it was pending and didn't give the exact dates of how long Fred is allowed to be here. I've had my own problems with the DMV and I'm the USC, but it was just amazing how incompetent the people were. They just kept saying 'I don't know...' and then they weren't trying to find out.

-Kim

I know what you mean. I ran into the same type of brick wall with DMV, the SSA, and the tag office. It gets a little infuriating. I didn't give up though. I just requested a supervisor or someone who had experience or was knowledgeable with procedure for legal immigrants. But I would definitely try another office if you went through the chain of command and didn't make headway at that office. It's all there in their own policy. They can't make up new rules to suit their own interpretation. Good luck, Kim!