DE Drivers License During AOS

[shayden10 78]

Hey VJers,

I sent off my AOS packet February 9 (still haven't heard anything) but I am interested in getting a drivers license. 

I'm in Delaware, I have looked it up and determined I will have to take a written and road test, which I'm not worried about. I'm wondering how long the license will be valid for? My I-94 expires march 30, so will they only issue it until then? I have my own vehicle here (gift from Father in law) so I can get around, and I've applied for EAD/AP so obviously if I get a job it will be beneficial to be able to drive. I was wondering how to get a valid license for longer than one month. I don't really feel like going through all the tests and paying for a license just to have it expire and have to pay to renew my license! 

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[MyMistaLovaLova 24]

Hey Shayden! 

 

Every state is different.  I live in Florida, my husband took the drivers exam and road test on February 10th.  They only provided him with a temporary DL that expires when his  I-94 expires.  If I like to prolong it to a year, I need to provide DMV with NOA1.  Hope this helps.

 

FYI You will need a social security for a DL. 

[NewBrunswicker 19]

Did you have a driver's license in Canada? If so, they don't allowed to renounce your driver's license in Canada in exchange for a driver's license from Delaware. When I moved to Texas back in 2014, I went to the DMV and was able to get a driver's without having to do any testing.

[shayden10 78]

10 hours ago, MyMistaLovaLova said:

Hey Shayden! 

 

Every state is different.  I live in Florida, my husband took the drivers exam and road test on February 10th.  They only provided him with a temporary DL that expires when his  I-94 expires.  If I like to prolong it to a year, I need to provide DMV with NOA1.  Hope this helps.

 

FYI You will need a social security for a DL. 

I was hoping they would prolong it with the NOA1, so I think I'll wait until I receive my NOA1 to do it. Thank you! And I have a SSN so I'm good

[shayden10 78]

1 hour ago, NewBrunswicker said:

Did you have a driver's license in Canada? If so, they don't allowed to renounce your driver's license in Canada in exchange for a driver's license from Delaware. When I moved to Texas back in 2014, I went to the DMV and was able to get a driver's without having to do any testing.

I've looked into it and my State doesn't have a reciprocity agreement with Canada which means I have to go through all the testing. Which sucks but I know I won't have any issues with the tests!

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

I was also able to get my license in Texas with the NOA1. As long as they will agree to run your documents against the federal SAVE (Make sure your information is entered on your application exactly as it is on your other documents) it will come back as lawfully present. I also brought my marriage certificate cause I wanted the license in my married name. In Texas they gave me one year from i-94 expiration. I've seen some state give 6 months. Eventually you will have to have it renewed anyways ofc.

[yuna628 9,680]

10 hours ago, shayden10 said:

Hey VJers,

I sent off my AOS packet February 9 (still haven't heard anything) but I am interested in getting a drivers license. 

I'm in Delaware, I have looked it up and determined I will have to take a written and road test, which I'm not worried about. I'm wondering how long the license will be valid for? My I-94 expires march 30, so will they only issue it until then? I have my own vehicle here (gift from Father in law) so I can get around, and I've applied for EAD/AP so obviously if I get a job it will be beneficial to be able to drive. I was wondering how to get a valid license for longer than one month. I don't really feel like going through all the tests and paying for a license just to have it expire and have to pay to renew my license! 

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Hi there,

 

DE should work like MD, in which the only way you'll most likely be able to obtain a DL is with an EAD, a SSN, and some mail with your new address on it (preferably something official like a bank statement or from a government agency). If you attempt to get a DL on your I-94, it will expire on the same day the I-94 does. Once you have your three things above (and also check out the state's MVA website for further instructions) go in and apply. You'll likely have to complete the written test and road test. MD also required a three hour lecture on drugs/alcohol. You usually cannot do it all in the same day, and you should make sure to study up. Otherwise the written and road test is straightforward. The written test is usually a multiple choice thing on a computer screen, and the study booklet in this state at least is now reduced to a glossy magazine for the kiddie's short attention spans! Road test is short, usually conducted with an officer and only lasts about 10-15 minutes, nothing remarkably difficult at all. Car from FiL must have insurance on it and must meet requirements for proper use. The DL you receive after completion will last as long as the EAD. Return about a week or two, once you have the green card, and update it with the MVA. They will issue you a full license with normal expiry date (something like 8 years or so).

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

9 minutes ago, yuna628 said:

Hi there,

 

DE should work like MD, in which the only way you'll most likely be able to obtain a DL is with an EAD, a SSN, and some mail with your new address on it (preferably something official like a bank statement or from a government agency). If you attempt to get a DL on your I-94, it will expire on the same day the I-94 does. Once you have your three things above (and also check out the state's MVA website for further instructions) go in and apply. You'll likely have to complete the written test and road test. MD also required a three hour lecture on drugs/alcohol. You usually cannot do it all in the same day, and you should make sure to study up. Otherwise the written and road test is straightforward. The written test is usually a multiple choice thing on a computer screen, and the study booklet in this state at least is now reduced to a glossy magazine for the kiddie's short attention spans! Road test is short, usually conducted with an officer and only lasts about 10-15 minutes, nothing remarkably difficult at all. Car from FiL must have insurance on it and must meet requirements for proper use. The DL you receive after completion will last as long as the EAD. Return about a week or two, once you have the green card, and update it with the MVA. They will issue you a full license with normal expiry date (something like 8 years or so).

Actually, she should be able to get it with her NOA1. In this document it says under "Lawful status" that  "or has an application for lawful permanent residence (LPR) or conditional permanent resident status." Which the NOA1 proves.

[yuna628 9,680]

Just now, Suss&Camm said:

Actually, she should be able to get it with her NOA1. In this document it says under "Lawful status" that  "or has an application for lawful permanent residence (LPR) or conditional permanent resident status." Which the NOA1 proves.

Yes, but unfortunately, going into the DMV is often a different level of hell than the SSA as a state agency has ever provided immigrants. They can try with an NOA1, but good luck getting them to figure that one out. DE is a little more liberal than we are, so the OP can give it a try.

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

7 minutes ago, yuna628 said:

Yes, but unfortunately, going into the DMV is often a different level of hell than the SSA as a state agency has ever provided immigrants. They can try with an NOA1, but good luck getting them to figure that one out. DE is a little more liberal than we are, so the OP can give it a try.

We had the same... everyone told me that I had to wait for the EAD. But I read on the website that I didn't. I printed those documents went over there.. they were hesitant but said they would run my documents. It came back lawfully present. If she prints that document there shouldn't be a problem to get them to run it. They can ask for a supervisor and show them their own policy.

 

edit: I should add it took one day to get it verified and a couple of more days to get the letter in my mail that my presence was verified, that I had to take back with me. I then did the written and luckily also the driver's test in the same day. The SSO was way harder for me personally!! hahahah took 8 weeks to get my card..  *sigh*

Edited February 22, 2017 by Suss&Camm

[yuna628 9,680]

5 minutes ago, Suss&Camm said:

We had the same... everyone told me that I had to wait for the EAD. But I read on the website that I didn't. I printed those documents went over there.. they were hesitant but said they would run my documents. It came back lawfully present. If she prints that document there shouldn't be a problem to get them to run it. They can ask for a supervisor and show them their own policy.

 

edit: I should add it took one day to get it verified and a couple of more days to get the letter in my mail that my presence was verified, that I had to take back with me. I then did the written and luckily also the driver's test in the same day.

I actually thought our DMV was going to provide us with problems considering it's such a sleepy little town. Thankfully there wasn't much trouble, except for some sort of phoned in threat happened, so they had troopers and the Guard checking everyone's documents at the door. DE has a very robust immigrant population so their DMV may be more educated *hopefully*. That's where we're most likely moving to, so that he doesn't have to keep commuting as much. We didn't have any verification issues, but it always took them a while to figure out where to look. It can't be that hard to train employees how to use it, can it?

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

19 minutes ago, yuna628 said:

Yes, but unfortunately, going into the DMV is often a different level of hell than the SSA as a state agency has ever provided immigrants. They can try with an NOA1, but good luck getting them to figure that one out. DE is a little more liberal than we are, so the OP can give it a try.

My guess is that the problem in Maryland is this:

 

"New applicant must show the required documents from each category below.

1. Age/ Identity:

Original or certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate filed with a State Office of Vital Statistics (OVS) or equivalent agency in the applicant's state of birth; or

Valid, unexpired U.S. passport

Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) issued by the Dept. of State (DOS), form FS-240, DS-1350 or FS-545; or

Valid, unexpired permanent resident card, form I-551, issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS); or

Certificate of naturalization, form N-550 or N-570 issued by the U.S. DHS; or

Certificate of citizenship, form N-560 or N-561 issued by the U.S. DHS; or

Unexpired employment authorization documents (EAD), form I-766; or

Unexpired foreign passport with current valid USCIS documentation."

 

They only accept the unexpired foreign passport as an ID with a current valid USCIS document such as unexpired i-94 or EAD. In Texas the expired i-94 with the passport was good enough for this purpose. I didn't check the ID requirement for Delaware.

Edited February 22, 2017 by Suss&Camm

[aleac 75]

30 minutes ago, yuna628 said:

Hi there,

 

DE should work like MD, in which the only way you'll most likely be able to obtain a DL is with an EAD, 

In MD I was lucky enough to get the License with the NOA 1, valid for 10 monts (I don't really know why), paid USD 9. 

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

3 minutes ago, yuna628 said:

I actually thought our DMV was going to provide us with problems considering it's such a sleepy little town. Thankfully there wasn't much trouble, except for some sort of phoned in threat happened, so they had troopers and the Guard checking everyone's documents at the door. DE has a very robust immigrant population so their DMV may be more educated *hopefully*. That's where we're most likely moving to, so that he doesn't have to keep commuting as much. We didn't have any verification issues, but it always took them a while to figure out where to look. It can't be that hard to train employees how to use it, can it?

wow! Eventful huh!  hahahaha not your everyday at the dmv

 

One would think not! lol

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

Just now, aleac said:

In MD I was lucky enough to get the License with the NOA 1, valid for 10 monts (I don't really know why), paid USD 9. 

lol well... was your i-94 unexpired??