OFF TOPIC BUT PLEASE ADVISE

[gearman 1]

HELLO EVERYONE

My wife has sucessfully completed all of her diriving examinations at a local drivers training facility here in New Orleans, La.

During her training we were married and we filed all the necessary documents with the USCIS.

Recently we took all of the necessary information and documentations to a local DMV and tried to get her tested for a learners permit.

We provided her Passport with the K-1 visa, her certification from her driving school, birth certificate etc.

We were then informed that she could not test for a permit nor could they even issue her an I.D. Card until she receives her new Green Card.

Is this accurate?? was i misinformed??

if this information is accurate, then this really sucks. she already has her own brand new car, she currently good employment but she cant get a drivers liscense to drive to work.

any info will help

thank you

kirk

[milimelo 4,505]

Wait until she gets the green card - did you file for AOS yet?

[BlueBonnet 84]

I tried to to get my DL here in Texas. I was told that I needed something from immigration showing that I was allowed to be here for a min. of 1 year. The K1 obviously expired, and the I94 only had a 90 valitity date. Hence no DL for me. Once I get the green card though, its got 2 years on it, then I can go again, and get my Texas DL. Im just glad I dont have to do the tests again, so I wait it out.

But the advise I was given, sounds alot like yours.

[Krikit 1,164]

Each State has different rules. In FL I couldn't get a DL until I had the I-797c (NOA). In other States they require the GC. Take a look at the official DMV site for your State as to ID requirements.

[Krikit 1,164]

BTW.... my original DL had a one year validity. When it came time for renewal I took in my GC and I then received a multi-year license.

[Brandi n Michael 8]

Colorado required ID that didn't expire for a min. of 1 year. EAD was good enough for this purposes.

[Bill and Vicky 25]

We were then informed that she could not test for a permit nor could they even issue her an I.D. Card until she receives her new Green Card.

Is this accurate?? was i misinformed??

Not a primary source, but from http://www.dmv.com/la/louisiana/drivers-license:

Non-US citizens (immigrants or non-immigrants) residing in Louisiana may apply for a Louisiana driver's license, as long as they can provide proof that they are legally authorized to be in the United States, and meet all the other requirements.

If she has a passport with a valid K-1 visa, she should be "legally authorized" to be in the U.S.

Some states are nervous about issuing DLs to anyone that doesn't appear to be "legal" now that the Real ID Act is being implemented. The Act also has the provisions for limiting a DL to the amount of time that someone is legally here (if your visa expires at the end of the year, then your license won't be valid past the end of the year).

You could try another DMV office, especially one that's in or near an urban area. A different examiner might read the rules differently.

Care,

Bill

[gearman 1]

thanks to everyone

but i was reading some reviews from this website concerning the interview process during the AOS interview. some of the documentation that was presented by some of the applicants included DL, mortgage information with both names etc.

how can someones name be on a mortgage with only an expired K1 visa???

it doesnt make sense

thanks to everyone for your replies..

kirk

yes we do have our I-797C for the AOS, EAD and AP

[ryna 132]

Each State has different rules. In FL I couldn't get a DL until I had the I-797c (NOA). In other States they require the GC. Take a look at the official DMV site for your State as to ID requirements.

Did FL require the I-797C (for AOS, I assume)? My wife has her EAD already and we're planning on getting her learner's this Friday using that but we'll bring the NOA for AOS as well. I'm just curious because we waited for the EAD to arrive and, if she finds out she could have gone based only on the NOA, she'll kill me if she finds out she waited an extra two months for nothing. j/k

Also, again, just curious... Did they charge the full amount for the 1 yr license or was it pro-rated? Knowing this state, 1 year will cost the same as 8...

[gearman 1]

thanks bill

i will check the website to verify

[Moomin 292]

Some will accept the NOA1(valid for a year). Through http://dpsweb.dps.louisiana.gov/DPSForms.nsf/ it shows which documents required by dmv in your state. Amongst those, the EAD as primary evidence. It depends on the state.

thanks to everyone

but i was reading some reviews from this website concerning the interview process during the AOS interview. some of the documentation that was presented by some of the applicants included DL, mortgage information with both names etc.

how can someones name be on a mortgage with only an expired K1 visa???

it doesnt make sense

thanks to everyone for your replies..

kirk

yes we do have our I-797C for the AOS, EAD and AP

[Glynn & Jean 5]

HELLO EVERYONE

My wife has sucessfully completed all of her diriving examinations at a local drivers training facility here in New Orleans, La.

During her training we were married and we filed all the necessary documents with the USCIS.

Recently we took all of the necessary information and documentations to a local DMV and tried to get her tested for a learners permit.

We provided her Passport with the K-1 visa, her certification from her driving school, birth certificate etc.

We were then informed that she could not test for a permit nor could they even issue her an I.D. Card until she receives her new Green Card.

Is this accurate?? was i misinformed??

if this information is accurate, then this really sucks. she already has her own brand new car, she currently good employment but she cant get a drivers liscense to drive to work.

any info will help

thank you

In Sept 2010 I took my wife to the DMV in Lafayette,La. We showed her LA State ID, the completion of driving school cert, SS# and the E.A.D (work authorization) she had just received in August 10 from us filing the A.O.S in July 2010. My wife then tested and took the driving test. She was issued her license with 1 yr expiration since the work authorization was good only for one year. We will be renewing her drivers license in Aug 2011 since she now has her green card.

I spoke with the DMV before going down there, KI fiance visa can get drivers license if the have the E.A.D, lets face it, if they are authorized to work then they need license to drive to get there. Hope this information helps you!

kirk

[Krikit 1,164]

Did FL require the I-797C (for AOS, I assume)? My wife has her EAD already and we're planning on getting her learner's this Friday using that but we'll bring the NOA for AOS as well. I'm just curious because we waited for the EAD to arrive and, if she finds out she could have gone based only on the NOA, she'll kill me if she finds out she waited an extra two months for nothing. j/k

Also, again, just curious... Did they charge the full amount for the 1 yr license or was it pro-rated? Knowing this state, 1 year will cost the same as 8...

At the time I went for my license, the NOA was a listed form of acceptable proof of residence. I honestly can't recall how much the temporary license was. Maybe $30? Not very much in the grand scheme of things.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Not a primary source, but from http://www.dmv.com/la/louisiana/drivers-license:

Non-US citizens (immigrants or non-immigrants) residing in Louisiana may apply for a Louisiana driver's license, as long as they can provide proof that they are legally authorized to be in the United States, and meet all the other requirements.

If she has a passport with a valid K-1 visa, she should be "legally authorized" to be in the U.S.

Some states are nervous about issuing DLs to anyone that doesn't appear to be "legal" now that the Real ID Act is being implemented. The Act also has the provisions for limiting a DL to the amount of time that someone is legally here (if your visa expires at the end of the year, then your license won't be valid past the end of the year).

You could try another DMV office, especially one that's in or near an urban area. A different examiner might read the rules differently.

Care,

Bill

K1 visas expire the moment you clear immigration at the airport. It's a single use visa. The I-94 stamped by the CBP officer governs your lawful presence after that. The I-94 expires after only 90 days. This is why K1's often have a tough time getting a drivers license before they get their green card.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

My wife has sucessfully completed all of her diriving examinations at a local drivers training facility here in New Orleans, La.

During her training we were married and we filed all the necessary documents with the USCIS.

Recently we took all of the necessary information and documentations to a local DMV and tried to get her tested for a learners permit.

We provided her Passport with the K-1 visa, her certification from her driving school, birth certificate etc.

We were then informed that she could not test for a permit nor could they even issue her an I.D. Card until she receives her new Green Card.

Is this accurate?? was i misinformed??

if this information is accurate, then this really sucks. she already has her own brand new car, she currently good employment but she cant get a drivers liscense to drive to work.

How does she have a job if she doesn't have an EAD? Is she working or planning on working illegally?

Some states will allow a drivers licence once you have the EAD. Louisiana's "alien" rules are here: http://dpsweb.dps.louisiana.gov/omv1.nsf/58c968bd569b099986256cdc000806eb/b5f27a9c7f2a864186256b6f004a2e8f?OpenDocument

it appears Louisiana WILL give her a licence once she has her EAD but it will only be valid while the EAD is.

Edited June 14, 2011 by Vanessa&Tony