Driver's lisences, etc.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hello All

Last week I took our son to get his driver's learner permit. Our state (vermont) requires that a foreign citizen to show they can remain legally for 6 months to obtain a driver's permit, driver's license or ID card. For a K-2 they accept the I-797C as adequate proof they can remain for 6 months.

So off we go to the DMV with his passport, visa, I-94 and I-797C (NOA1 for AOS) Everything goes well until the clerk notices I have written "none" in the space for a Social Security Number. She demands he have a social security number and says it is required. I point out that their instruction book and the "wall chart" listing documents needed NEVER mentions an SSN, even for a citizen. She insists it is needed. I state that it seems impossible as a visitor with a 6 month visa is eligible to get a license but not to get a social security number, neither is a K-2 allowed to get an SSN without a green card or EAD yet the requirements clearly do not call for an SSN, a green card or an EAD. I asked to speak to a supervisor. The supervisor comes and informs the clerk that an SSN is indeed NOT needed and she should simply enter 999-99-9999 in the place for the SSN. Great. Sergey takes his test and gets his permit..well almost. Now the brilliant clerk asks Sergey for his marriage certificate!!!!!!! Excuse me? " Yes, it says a K-2 needs a marriage certificate" No ma'am, that is for a K-1, a K-2 is a child and is specifically NOT allowed to be married or would not be eligible for a K-2. Again, I ask for the supervisor, again the supervisor corrects the clerk and he gets his permit. So.............while waiting to get his DMV photo taken another woman comes into the office. She is a recently married K-1 from Colombia but does not have an SSN, only her marrage license and copy of the I-797C. So what happens? The brilliant clerk informs her can take her permit test but she cannot receive a permit until she gets a Social Security Number!!!!!!!!!!!!! I overheard this and informed the young lady when she sat down with her forms and after she filled out the forms (I told her to put 999-99-9999 in the SSN place) SHE asked for a supervisor and the supervisor explained again to the clerk. Anyway, brilliant clerk was peeved that I spoiled her day of making new statutes from her counter without passing both houses of the legislature and without the benefit of the Governor's signature. What a bummer!

SO...be sure you study this process, not just what you need to get a visa, but what you will need for the rest of your life. Know what you are entitled to and do not be deterred by untrained clerks that prefer to make new laws rather than ask a question. Also, I think it is best of the USC petitioner goes with the visa holder to help with these things. Many times I think new immigrants are intimidated by "officials" and just slink away disappointed if they are not sure of the law or requirements. Which, of course, is what the clerk wants since they don't know how to deal with it and prefer to run people off rather than check it out and help someone.

Good luck to all

[konjo 0]

My case is slightly different but I went thru a similar issue at DMV. The denied me at the field office and referred my case to their HQ wherever that is (I am assuming Harrisburg since I am in PA). The clerks at that field office even had the audacity to intimidate me by claiming that DMV is an INS office and the had been "catching" people all day and had a bus full (I was furious!!!). Anyway, I eventually got a letter from their HQ stating that I was eligible for a drivers license only to go back to the office and have to argue with a clerk who wouldn't badge even with the letter from their offices. I asked (no, demanded) for a supervisor, he took the chap into the back and after a few minutes they both came out and I got my DL.

I have no idea who trains these clerks but do your research before you go and don't let them intimidate you!

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

My case is slightly different but I went thru a similar issue at DMV. The denied me at the field office and referred my case to their HQ wherever that is (I am assuming Harrisburg since I am in PA). The clerks at that field office even had the audacity to intimidate me by claiming that DMV is an INS office and the had been "catching" people all day and had a bus full (I was furious!!!). Anyway, I eventually got a letter from their HQ stating that I was eligible for a drivers license only to go back to the office and have to argue with a clerk who wouldn't badge even with the letter from their offices. I asked (no, demanded) for a supervisor, he took the chap into the back and after a few minutes they both came out and I got my DL.

I have no idea who trains these clerks but do your research before you go and don't let them intimidate you!

WOW! I thought the clerk in our office was bad for completely ignoring what she had been trained not more than 20 minutes earlier. (Oh, we were AT the "headquarters" in our state capital when this happened) Were I you I would be at the Inspector General's office next!

Congratulations for sticking with it and knowing what you needed

[Vegabond 0]

Thanks Guys.. i will have to go though this with my fiance at the end of the September. I wonder if we would have to go though the full test.. even if the person is allowed to drive in the states with the international license for several month? Or they woudl just change it and issue one with driving experience of 30 years in Europe.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Thanks Guys.. i will have to go though this with my fiance at the end of the September. I wonder if we would have to go though the full test.. even if the person is allowed to drive in the states with the international license for several month? Or they woudl just change it and issue one with driving experience of 30 years in Europe.

Depends on the state of course. My wife had an international drivers license (which I am sure she bribed someone for and had about -0- driving experience and could barely keep a car on the pavement of a road) and it was accepted in Vermont on a reciprocal basis for 60 days. (fools!) We used it as her "learner's permit". When she went for her Vermont driver's license she had to take the full driving exam. Vermont does not accept international driver's licenses for issuance of a state license without a driving exam. But if she has 30 years experience driving she should pass with no problems. Alla passed on her first try with less than 3 months experience.

[Brad and Vika 129]

Not to throw cold water on all of this, but Vika got her permit with no trouble (the second time ). Once we figured out where she could get the test in Russian, the rest was easy. If only USCIS would send that approved green card now...