Applying for a drivers license in CA, after entering the US

[Matt&Savannah 67]

Hey all,

 

Just wanted to post this in the hope it helps someone else not waste as much time at the DMV as i have.

 

I entered the US on a K1 visa back in April. I've had nothing but frustration with the local DMV (Santa Ana). After going down twice (without appointment) and giving up twice because of the monstrous lines. I finally made an appointment which I attended last week. I had heard I would have to wait until I got my EAD to be able to apply for a full Californian DL. I had however, discovered I could apply for a lesser DL in the meantime called an AB 60. So at my appointment I asked if I could apply for the AB 60 and was told my UK passport and SSN wouldn't be enough and it would need to be sent away for 3 months to a year for a 'secondary review'. I thought that cant be right!? After arguing my case and the employee calling 'an expert on this type of case' I got no where and gave up.

 

So, today on the DMV CA website, I found the list of requirements for the AB 60. More in intriguingly, a  list of acceptable Passports that DON'T need a secondary review.

 

Low and behold! The UK Passport and nearly every other country in the world is on the list!!!

 

So annoyed I wasted so much time. Rest assured I will be returning to said DMV with my print out in hand!!!

 

Anyways, long story short...

 

ALL YOU NEED TO APPLY FOR AN AB 60 licence in CA

 

• Your Passport
• Your SSN (temporary is fine too)
• Proof of address (I'm using my SSN letter attached to my card with address on)

 

Here is the full list of requirements on the DMV California website:

 

https://www.dmv.org/ca-california/ab-60-drivers-license.php

 

Also, I'm sure this information is nothing new to some people and there are already posts similar to this BUT, I looked and I couldn't find anything giving me a definite answer.

 

Thanks and hope this helps some of you!

[Scandi 4,170]

AB-60 is for those who have no legal status in the US, often called "illegals" or "undocumented". You are not undocumented.

 

I would be very, very careful trying to pose as an illegal just to get a DL.. who knows how/if it messes up your future attempts to get a greencard.

[Matt&Savannah 67]

26 minutes ago, Scandi said:

AB-60 is for those who have no legal status in the US, often called "illegals" or "undocumented". You are not undocumented.

 

I would be very, very careful trying to pose as an illegal just to get a DL.. who knows how/if it messes up your future attempts to get a greencard.

Miles away from correct my friend! 

 

Firstly yes, you are correct that an illegal immigrant can apply for an AB 60.. but the AB 60 doesn't just serve those with unlawful residence. It can also help people who are inbetween status!

 

Also as for your statement about it messing up a chance of getting a greencard... SERIOUSLY?

 

ill just leave this here... quoted from the DMV website.

 

'To be eligible for a California driver's license under AB-60, you must be at least 16 years old, and be able to provide proof of identityAND California residency.'

 

'By law, no one may discriminate against a holder of an AB-60 license, or use this license to attempt to question the holder's citizenship or immigration status.'

 

Edited July 14, 2018 by Matt&Savannah

[Abies 1,713]

50 minutes ago, Matt&Savannah said:

Miles away from correct my friend! 

 

Firstly yes, you are correct that an illegal immigrant can apply for an AB 60.. but the AB 60 doesn't just serve those with unlawful residence. It can also help people who are inbetween status!

 

Also as for your statement about it messing up a chance of getting a greencard... SERIOUSLY?

 

ill just leave this here... quoted from the DMV website.

 

'To be eligible for a California driver's license under AB-60, you must be at least 16 years old, and be able to provide proof of identityAND California residency.'

 

'By law, no one may discriminate against a holder of an AB-60 license, or use this license to attempt to question the holder's citizenship or immigration status.'

 

How about those of us coming to California on a Green card?

[Matt&Savannah 67]

8 hours ago, Abies said:

How about those of us coming to California on a Green card?

Aslong as you have proof of address and SSN you'll be able to apply for a full 'real' CA DL

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

11 hours ago, Scandi said:

AB-60 is for those who have no legal status in the US, often called "illegals" or "undocumented". You are not undocumented.

 

I would be very, very careful trying to pose as an illegal just to get a DL.. who knows how/if it messes up your future attempts to get a greencard.

It’s not only for undocumented people. However people may assume you are undocumented if you need to show ID somewhere and you produce an AB60 license. Also note you can’t use it for federal ID (like airplane travel)

10 hours ago, Abies said:

How about those of us coming to California on a Green card?

You’re good to go for a normal license. Look up the “real ID” requirements on the CA DMV website and take with. You’ll basically just need green card, SSN and proof of address if I recall correctly.

[Matt&Savannah 67]

34 minutes ago, SusieQQQ said:

It’s not only for undocumented people. However people may assume you are undocumented if you need to show ID somewhere and you produce an AB60 license. Also note you can’t use it for federal ID (like airplane travel)

 

In no circumstance can an AB 60 be used as ID.. it is purely granted to give someone a right to drive. So you wouldn't be showing it to anyone else but your insurance company and the government. Also, someone assuming you are undocumented DOESN'T make it so!!

 

An argument was made earlier that if you apply for an AB 60 the government might assume you are illegal and deny greencard. Firstly there are laws preventing this. Secondly, RELAX! You Are Legal! You have the paper trail and documentation to prove it!!! 

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

1 hour ago, Matt&Savannah said:

In no circumstance can an AB 60 be used as ID.. it is purely granted to give someone a right to drive. So you wouldn't be showing it to anyone else but your insurance company and the government. Also, someone assuming you are undocumented DOESN'T make it so!!

 

An argument was made earlier that if you apply for an AB 60 the government might assume you are illegal and deny greencard. Firstly there are laws preventing this. Secondly, RELAX! You Are Legal! You have the paper trail and documentation to prove it!!! 

And I responded to that last one saying it doesn't "prove" you are undocumented, I agree it's a nonsense argument. 

That said...

Day to day living you may find you are asked to show ID more than you realize. Like purchasing alcohol. Some stores ask when you use credit cards. At a bank. Etc. Assuming people don't go everywhere with their passports, your driver license is what you show. Of course these are not undercover ICE agents looking to arrest people. But some people may feel uncomfortable getting "the look" or whatever, it's just a fair warning. I get people wanting to drive while they're waiting, I also think it's fair to warn them that if they end up showing their license as ID  that people will probably assume they are undocumented, because that is who the vast, vast majority of AB60 licenses are issued to. It may not matter at all /make you feel uncomfortable in downtown San Francisco. It may matter more in some little town in the central valley. 

[TBoneTX 45,540]

23 hours ago, Matt&Savannah said:

'By law, no one may discriminate against a holder of an AB-60 license, or use this license to attempt to question the holder's citizenship or immigration status.'

This might apply to state law, but it wouldn't overrule Federal law (or protocols, or practices).

Would probably be wise to call a couple of CBP ports in the state and ask what they do or presume.

CBP agents can often be in a foul mood and looking to nail somebody.

You don't want a "detention" on your record as you proceed through the immigration process.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

1 hour ago, TBoneTX said:

This might apply to state law, but it wouldn't overrule Federal law (or protocols, or practices).

Would probably be wise to call a couple of CBP ports in the state and ask what they do or presume.

CBP agents can often be in a foul mood and looking to nail somebody.

You don't want a "detention" on your record as you proceed through the immigration process.

Plus of course a law prohibiting it doesn’t necessarily stop it happening...just means you have legal recourse if it does. Could still be a messy process.

[Matt&Savannah 67]

I think you're all living in fear to be honest 

[TBoneTX 45,540]

A lot of us here have learned, often the hard way, to treat no part of this process casually.

[Matt&Savannah 67]

UPDATE - Just to let anyone who views this post know, I have successfully applied for and passed my driving test. My AB 60 License will be in the mail in 2 weeks. I used a rental car to pass my test, which required me to buy the liability insurance. After a couple of issues with certain DMV staff not knowing the rules I finally got there. Just make sure you read up on your rights and don't let those hard workers at the DMV turn you away! 

[TBoneTX 45,540]

Super!  Thanks for your thoughtfulness in returning to post the update.

[cdx77 31]

Just FYI I was able to get a temporary driving license (not AB60) with just my passport, marriage license, I-767C (for I-485) and a couple of utility bills last year. I am in the San Francisco Bay Area.

 

I did the written test on the same day, and then scheduled a behind-the-wheel a couple of months later.

 

However, I did get a letter from DMV HQ (Sacramento) saying that they were unable to complete my application since I did not provide any proof of legal residency during my initial application in person.

 

Strangely they still let me sit for behind-the-wheel, and I still got my temporary d/l after that. I was told that unless I presented proof of residency, I won't be able to get a full DL/ID. Just so happens that my EAD/AP got approved last week, so I have sent in my approval notice to Sacramento. I've yet to hear back from them.

 

My temporary DL expires next month, so hopefully I receive my full DL from them before then.