Driving Priviliges while AOS is pending

[TomLena 0]

We're within days from submitting the AOS (and EAD) applications and have a question in regards to driving priviliges during this period of time.

Is her status from the day we submit the AOS app considered to be 'immigrant' or 'non-immigrant'? I understand that the actual status is called something like "Stay authorized by...." but just aren't sure when the 'switch gets flipped' or how that affects the rules for driving in Florida.

Lena has a legal driver's license issued from Russia that is valid until 2003. We've heard something about an 'International Driver's License' that she can obtain to drive here in the states that Florida will allow to be used for up to 1 year... but the document that we read is in Russian and the way it is formatted, it appears that this text may be applying to 'Non-Immigrant Status' persons only. The only think we know for certain about this topic is that the Florida DMV will not issue a driver's license to Lena if there are less than 30 days left on her K1 visa, and it would expire anyway when her visa expires, and that we would need an EAD in our hands to get a new one issued for her. So how does it work with the International license? Can someone give us the run-down, especially where Florida is concerned?

Thanks in advance!

[athena_ny 1]

We're within days from submitting the AOS (and EAD) applications and have a question in regards to driving priviliges during this period of time.

Is her status from the day we submit the AOS app considered to be 'immigrant' or 'non-immigrant'? I understand that the actual status is called something like "Stay authorized by...." but just aren't sure when the 'switch gets flipped' or how that affects the rules for driving in Florida.

Lena has a legal driver's license issued from Russia that is valid until 2003. We've heard something about an 'International Driver's License' that she can obtain to drive here in the states that Florida will allow to be used for up to 1 year... but the document that we read is in Russian and the way it is formatted, it appears that this text may be applying to 'Non-Immigrant Status' persons only. The only think we know for certain about this topic is that the Florida DMV will not issue a driver's license to Lena if there are less than 30 days left on her K1 visa, and it would expire anyway when her visa expires, and that we would need an EAD in our hands to get a new one issued for her. So how does it work with the International license? Can someone give us the run-down, especially where Florida is concerned?

Thanks in advance!

My husband went with his NOA's for the I-485, I-765, and I-130 and they gave him his - this was the DMV on Starkey Road in Largo (Pinellas County). This isn't typical for Florida.

If you try this and they say no, you'll have to wait for the EAD.

As far as the international license, I'm not well versed on it. I've heard it's good for up to a year, but you said it expires in 2003...?

Edited April 23, 2007 by meow mix

[Neonred 3,461]

We were told we needed to bring in our NOA1 for I-485 for them to issue a drivers license or state ID. When we brought that in they issued my wife hers.

[Krikit 1,163]

Here's a link for you. http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/ddl/faqkeys.html#NUSC

The office I went to required the original I-485 receipt notice, an original marriage certificate for the name change, and my passport.

A K1 beneficiary is still considered a non-immigrant after submitting the AOS.

Sorry, but I am unfamiliar with an international driver's license.

[florida_guy07 0]

Here's a link for you. http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/ddl/faqkeys.html#NUSC

The office I went to required the original I-485 receipt notice, an original marriage certificate for the name change, and my passport.

A K1 beneficiary is still considered a non-immigrant after submitting the AOS.

Sorry, but I am unfamiliar with an international driver's license.

Can you tell me which office you went to ? Thank you.

[KarenCee 3]

International driver's permits are only good for allowing the USC to drive in a foreign country, at least that's what my husband was told. The DMV office we went to here in GA told him to apply for one. because his I-94 was about to expire and he could NOT obtain a driver's permit until he either had the GC or his EAD. They would NOT let him use the NOA1 from our AOS application either. We went back once he had his EAD in hand.

[lisanne 0]

For those who received a drivers license, was it a temporary paper license or did they send out a regular license? My husband still hasn't received anything but a temporary paper license and we were wondering if this is usual.

[athena_ny 1]

For those who received a drivers license, was it a temporary paper license or did they send out a regular license? My husband still hasn't received anything but a temporary paper license and we were wondering if this is usual.

It took them about 6 weeks to send out my husbands license. And it'll be temporary in that it expires in 1 year and says temporary on it. But he should get something other than the paper one in the mail. If its been longer than 4-6 weeks, I'd visit the DMV again.

[Bharat 0]

my wife wants to get a drivers license for Texas. Can we bring our NOA-1, fingerprint appointment, and Passport..Will those documents be sufficient??

[athena_ny 1]

my wife wants to get a drivers license for Texas. Can we bring our NOA-1, fingerprint appointment, and Passport..Will those documents be sufficient??

You'd have to look at the TX DMV website and see what they say.

[Krikit 1,163]

Can you tell me which office you went to ? Thank you.

This was at the Tavares office in Lake County. You can schedule your appointment here: https://oasis.hsmv.state.fl.us/oasis.php

[TomLena 0]

My husband went with his NOA's for the I-485, I-765, and I-130 and they gave him his - this was the DMV on Starkey Road in Largo (Pinellas County). This isn't typical for Florida.

If you try this and they say no, you'll have to wait for the EAD.

As far as the international license, I'm not well versed on it. I've heard it's good for up to a year, but you said it expires in 2003...?

Oops that was a typo. I meant to say 2013! International Driver's License answer anyone?

[Otto 83]

FYI on the International Driver's License question...

1. An international driver's license must be obtained from your home country. This permit only verifies that you hold a valid license in your home country. It is your foreign driver's license that allows you to drive in the United States. Contact the authorities in your home country to get an international driving permit, as the United States does NOT issue international driver's licenses to foreign visitors.
   
2. If you obtain a valid international driver's license from your country of origin before you come to the U.S., you may rent a car and drive before you get your U.S. driver's license.
   
3. A U.S. driver's license is not a federal document, but it's a permit issued by one of the 50 states' motor vehicle departments. If you're going to reside in the U.S., it may take several months to obtain a U.S. driver's license.
   
4. Foreign visitors who become U.S. residents can only obtain a driver's license from the state in which they reside. Each state has its own driving rules and regulations. Check with your state's motor vehicles department to find out how to apply.
   

Source

So basically it must be issued in the foreign country and is only for tourists.. They also caution about the fake ads/sellers on the link above.

[oversearailway 0]

THIS IS INTERESTING...because in St. Johns County, Florida, the DMV refused to honor my wife's Peruvian License. They said that since she is here on a K1 visa (AND NOT A TOURIST), they will not honor it. If she was a tourist she could drive all she wanted.....DUMB!!! Also, she had to reapply for a license (learners permit) paper issued, then received a Learners Permit 30 days later, which expires the day her K1 visa expires.

So I guess we're stuck starting the process over.as if she was a new driver. Anyone have any ideas about how insurance works for K1 spouses? Any problems with your insurance company about how they view drivers from other countries???

Thanks,

Oversearailway

[athena_ny 1]

THIS IS INTERESTING...because in St. Johns County, Florida, the DMV refused to honor my wife's Peruvian License. They said that since she is here on a K1 visa (AND NOT A TOURIST), they will not honor it. If she was a tourist she could drive all she wanted.....DUMB!!! Also, she had to reapply for a license (learners permit) paper issued, then received a Learners Permit 30 days later, which expires the day her K1 visa expires.

So I guess we're stuck starting the process over.as if she was a new driver. Anyone have any ideas about how insurance works for K1 spouses? Any problems with your insurance company about how they view drivers from other countries???

Thanks,

Oversearailway

I've read that your driving record basically starts all over in this country so they consider you a new driver and insure you as such.

My husband was already here when we met, so I don't have direct experience with this, it's just what I've heard. As far as the license issue, once you apply for adjustment of status, try to get a FL permit with the NOAs.