CA (San Jose) DL - My foreign passport was not accepted when scanned, sent to secondary review

[Mrs. DPK 66]

Hello!

 

I went to the DMV DLPC this week with the intention to take the written test. I was called to the front desk and a lady gathered my documents (foreign passport with the I-551, rental agreement and SS Card) saying it was all in order. However, after trying several times to have my passport's biographical page scanned, their software wouldn't take it as a valid document. At that moment she explained to me that I had 2 options: (1) To wait until I receive the actual (plastic) GC in the mail and come back, or (2) to enter the 'Secondary Review Process' (SRP).

 

Option (2), according to her, was not a very good option bcs, even in the case of the GC arriving within days, the local DMV wouldn't be able to touch the application until the SRP was finished in their HQ in Sacramento. Additionally, she mentioned that the SRP was taking at least three months from now, so as you can imagine the trauma from waiting so long for the IV Process made me decide not to continue with it.

 

My questions are:

1. Does someone recently have tried to get their DL? (Preferably some IR1/CR1 from CA) If so, have you encountered the same situation?

2. I entered the country on March 28th; and I my husband paid for the Immigration Fee on March 23rd. Does anyone have an idea how long is currently taking to receive the GC by mail? I called USCIS recently and the operator said it could take up to 120 days. Passed that timeframe, I could submit an inquiry about it.

 

Thank you!

[bearflag 4]

Hey there,

 

I had the same thing happen to me getting my drivers license in California (IR1) last year. The DMV didn't give me the option of waiting for my Green Card to arrive and just put me straight into the secondary review process after their equipment failed to scan my UK passport. Here is a timeline of my experience:

 

11/16/16 - Land in San Francisco from the UK

11/21/16 - First Appointment at DMV. Went in with temporary Green Card, British Passport, British Driver License, proof of address - told I also need Social Security Number to complete the application. The Social Security office was was next door to the DMV so I immediately applied for and received SS number.

12/07/16 - Pass written test, eyesight test and photograph taken at DMV. Entered into the 'Secondary Review Process' to confirm my identity as a Permanent Resident.

02/17/17 - Appointment with DMV Investigating Agent at DMV Satellite Office to verify my identity as a Permanent Resident.

04/12/17 - Telephone call with DMV Investigations Division clearing me to continue with my application. I immediately book the behind the wheel test with my local DMV for the next day.

04/13/17 - Receive learners permit. Pass behind the wheel test. Receive temporary driver license.

04/21/17 - Received Photocard Driver License in the mail.

 

My actual Green Card arrived on 04/03/17, about 4.5 months after arriving in the US and 9 days before the Secondary Review Process cleared me to take my behind the wheel test. 

 

I hope that is of some use to you.