Trouble renewing drivers license with extension letter

[canada_socks 97]

I really hate the MVA!

Has anyone successfully renewed their 'temporary' drivers license in the state of Maryland with their ROC extension letter?

I called last week, asking what I needed to bring. I explained that my license was expiring with my permanent resident card. I told them I was expecting my extension letter any day, and asked if anything else was required. I was told NOPE! Just bring your letter, permanent resident card and expiring license.

Went in today, and sat for about 4 hours. Got to the counter and the lady seemed friendly at first. Gave her my letter, card and license. She read over the letter and asked if I had my 'appointment' yet. I asked her what she meant. She was referring to the biometrics appointment that the letter mentions in the second last paragraph. I said no, not yet...probably won't for another few weeks. Her friendly face turned sour and she started getting a little snotty with me. She claimed I needed to have my SSN card, my passport (she stated American passport actually), and any other document that proves I am legal. She then said to come back when I had my "legal card". In my opinion, she basically called me out as being illegal. That really bothered me. I was too angry to speak to a supervisor, but from what I have been told, they wouldn't be much help either, as this location is known for awful customer and management service.

My license expires next week. I am going back tomorrow, with the documents she stated I needed (which is fine if I need them...I just wish I was told when I asked last week!). If this fails, I may just take a trip up to Hagerstown, as I have been told by many MANY people that they are amazing and know what they are doing.

Has anyone else had issues like this? In any state? I swear, the whole USCIS part of this process has been super easy compared to this...when I got my SSN it was no picnic then either! Was told I had to wait for citizenship!! Do they not TRAIN these people?

Edited March 6, 2014 by canada_socks

[flora01 37]

I have already commented on topic in feb thread.

But i think nobody can show something more than extension letter right now at this phase of process of ROC and all offices should know about all kinds of docs and legal status.

Its there job to know everything

[canada_socks 97]

I have already commented on topic in feb thread.

But i think nobody can show something more than extension letter right now at this phase of process of ROC and all offices should know about all kinds of docs and legal status.

Its there job to know everything

Yes I read it I decided I should make a new thread because others may have input as well.

I know...and it makes no sense to provide what they already HAVE on file. If I walk away empty handed tomorrow, I will be livid.

I used to manage a fast food restaurant. I would feel pretty stupid if I didn't know what condiments went on a Big Mac! If I was in this workers position, i would want to become educated to HELP my customers in the future...and so that I wouldn't look stupid again! If she didn't know due to lack of training, that is one thing. Once she was faced with the problem, it is up to her to find the answers for the next person with this issue. I am pretty sure I am not the first person removing conditions to walk into this MVA! (or DMV according to the rest of the USA).

Edited March 6, 2014 by canada_socks

[cathy2904 97]

It was Georgia not Maryland but I went two weeks before my DL expired. I waited for nearly three hours that I won't get back. When I got to the counter I showed my soon to expire GC and extension letter and there seemed to be no problem. I waited the two weeks they told me it would take for the new license to arrive and then called them. It turned out that they had put the expiry date of my new license as the expiry date of my GC, not the extension letter - so two weeks after going in! Another trip and another 2+ hours!

[canada_socks 97]

It was Georgia not Maryland but I went two weeks before my DL expired. I waited for nearly three hours that I won't get back. When I got to the counter I showed my soon to expire GC and extension letter and there seemed to be no problem. I waited the two weeks they told me it would take for the new license to arrive and then called them. It turned out that they had put the expiry date of my new license as the expiry date of my GC, not the extension letter - so two weeks after going in! Another trip and another 2+ hours!

Oh no! I can see that happening here. Thankfully we get our license right then and there. I am about to go back in for round two.

[cathy2904 97]

Oh no! I can see that happening here. Thankfully we get our license right then and there. I am about to go back in for round two.

Good luck! I was given a temporary one with the two week expiry date but I assumed that was because the permanent one would replace it. My 10 year GC arrived last week so I will be going back to renew again when I can face it.

[canada_socks 97]

Update...

Ok, so I went back in today, and of course, my number came up and guess who was at the counter? The lady from yesterday! I decided to hang back because I noticed yesterday how if there was a no show, that they would call the number again later on. Sure enough, not even 5 minutes later I was called to a different counter.

This lady was SUPER nice, and was in training! This made me very happy because it meant she was going to learn, and I had the opportunity to explain the extension letter without her getting all in my face. She also had a supervisor right with her training her. He said it was funny that I came up, because he was JUST telling her that he hoped for a T license today (T meaning temporary, which is what I had). There were a few bumps getting the info in, but I didn't mind. After yesterday, I was happy to have someone pleasant!

In the end, I got a 6 year license, with no headache. I asked the supervisor why I needed my SSN card. He stated it was just a step they have in their system that they can't get around, and even he felt it was unnecessary. That was all I needed, with my GC, extension letter and expiring license. I didn't need any passport, or any other proof of identity or address. I appreciate that he explained it to me, instead of making me feel stupid for not assuming I needed it. He also apologized for the behaviour of the lady from yesterday and said he would speak to everyone about what is needed for these cases. I left feeling happy

Edited March 6, 2014 by canada_socks

[Nicolle32 4]

I live in Austin texas and have no problem renewing with my extension letter on hand.

[flora01 37]

Update...

Ok, so I went back in today, and of course, my number came up and guess who was at the counter? The lady from yesterday! I decided to hang back because I noticed yesterday how if there was a no show, that they would call the number again later on. Sure enough, not even 5 minutes later I was called to a different counter.

This lady was SUPER nice, and was in training! This made me very happy because it meant she was going to learn, and I had the opportunity to explain the extension letter without her getting all in my face. She also had a supervisor right with her training her. He said it was funny that I came up, because he was JUST telling her that he hoped for a T license today (T meaning temporary, which is what I had). There were a few bumps getting the info in, but I didn't mind. After yesterday, I was happy to have someone pleasant!

In the end, I got a 6 year license, with no headache. I asked the supervisor why I needed my SSN card. He stated it was just a step they have in their system that they can't get around, and even he felt it was unnecessary. That was all I needed, with my GC, extension letter and expiring license. I didn't need any passport, or any other proof of identity or address. I appreciate that he explained it to me, instead of making me feel stupid for not assuming I needed it. He also apologized for the behaviour of the lady from yesterday and said he would speak to everyone about what is needed for these cases. I left feeling happy

One unknowledgeable person makes the experience worst

[canada_socks 97]

One unknowledgeable person makes the experience worst

Indeed! This guy and his trainee made my day better!

I live in Austin texas and have no problem renewing with my extension letter on hand.

Yea, I have read that other states just require the letter, green card and expiring license, and that it is no issue. The supervisor I spoke to today was super nice about answering my questions, and even said he didn't understand why Maryland is so strict about needing your SSN card (they couldn't by pass that part when taking information, but I am sure there are some places that can in this state, but anyway). That is only until I get my 10 year card though, so he said I shouldn't need it next time, but to bring it in just in case, because you never know if they will change that! I didn't need any other documents to "prove I was legal" like the lady originally said I needed...and it definitely didn't take a few weeks to 'verify' my docs. I think the first girl has a thing against immigrants.

[jumperoo 0]

Pennsylvania also requires a social security card when renewing your driver's license during this process. It's a bit frustrating, but they enforce it (as we found out when we showed up without it one time).

[Sean86 31]

Pennsylvania also requires a social security card when renewing your driver's license during this process. It's a bit frustrating, but they enforce it (as we found out when we showed up without it one time).

Actually they don't . I renewed mine last month without SS card, just my green card, old license and Extension letter. Was in and out in 30 mins. Very easy process for me.

[NickD 203]

Remember those days, "what in the hell is a one year extension letter?" Was the reply my wife got at our local DMV office, Wisconsin. Was so angry called our governors office, just appointed a new immigration officer that didn't know any thing about immigration. Spend a week trying to educate him over the phone an hour a day. Finally got shifted over to our secretary of the DMV and talked to her. She called our local DMV office and told them to renew my wife's driver's license.

At first, only wanted to renew it until her one year extension expired, called again, then they finally renewed it for the full eight years in Wisconsin. This prompted us to apply for US citizenship at the earliest possible time, but her one year extension notice was about to expire so had to make another 450 mile trip to our field office to get a I-551 stamp in her foreign passport book.

Least the USCIS accepted that for her interview, she passed, but between the time of her interview and oath ceremony, her ten year card finally came in. Only to give it back after holding it for two weeks.

I see the USCIS is still dragging their feet on the I-751/ With us, they did let 15 months drag by and requested updates, namely our latest tax return and joint bank account statements. But they already had this with our N-400 application!

After all this frustration, my wife asked if they could punch a hole or something in her ten year green card, they said no at her oath ceremony. Our heads were spinning, but took a bit to realize, we were done with the USCIS.