J-1 visa and drivers license

[shawn43 0]

I was wondering if this would work at all. Say you come to the United States on a Visa and Passport, and eventually you get a Drivers License. Can you use the Drivers License as the primary means of identification and leave the visa and passport at home at the place of residence and just walk around with a Drivers license?

[Harsh_77 716]

It can work, but technically as per the regulation you are required to carry your passport all the times.

Which is not practical and most ppl dont carry their passport everyday with them.

For most purpose your driver's lic would work, here is the kicker would you be eligible for driver's lic?

That would depend on how long your J1 visa is for, other optiion is if you are not eligible for DL then you can apply for state ID.

[shawn43 0]

the question of getting the drivers license isn't in question, already have it.

[Blake and Jeanie 4]

I never carried my passport. My DL got me into bars and into planes alike (internal US flights). Your passport is only necessary if someone questions the legality of your stay in the US.

[Harsh_77 716]

the question of getting the drivers license isn't in question, already have it.

If you already have the DL, then it would work in most places as form of identification.

Legally you are required to carry your passport as I mentioned earlier. Do most ppl carry it answer is no.

Lot of the time I used to keep a copy of passport and Visa with me.

But the risk was if I was ever pulled up by ICE, most likely they would not accept the copy, and would be detained until someone actually got the original passport.