Question about my drivers license, while waiting for I-751

[nippywiffle 0]

Hi,

I just submitted my I-751 today. I noticed on the USCIS website that they are behind in processing.

My green card expires 02/08/08, and my drivers license also expires on that date, since I had to show that to get my license.

I'm wondering what I can do to renew my drivers license IF the USCIS doesn't send me anything by 02/08/08... I can't get to work without driving, and I'm definitely not willing to risk my ability to get a license in future, by driving with an expired license...

Anyone else had this problem? How do you get around this?

They just don't seem to realize how much their slow processing times affect people's lives.... and when you're paying $545 for the privilege of all this stress, you'd think they could speed up a little...

Thanks for any help,

Dan

[YuAndDan 153]

You should have the NOA1 letter for the I-751, this extends the green-card for a year, and most states DMV will accept that letter as evidence of legal presence.

[nippywiffle 0]

You should have the NOA1 letter for the I-751, this extends the green-card for a year, and most states DMV will accept that letter as evidence of legal presence.

Thanks for the info.

[jsnearline 2]

You should have the NOA1 letter for the I-751, this extends the green-card for a year, and most states DMV will accept that letter as evidence of legal presence.

That assumes the person at DMV knows what they're doing. In Virginia, they're notorious for not accepting anything other than a green card or EAD and tend to look suspiciously at NOAs. It's one of the downsides of having DMV staff with no immigration experience charged with enforcing legal presence statutes.

[Dr. ZoSo 0]

You should have the NOA1 letter for the I-751, this extends the green-card for a year, and most states DMV will accept that letter as evidence of legal presence.

But not many. I know Georgia will not. Since your license expires the same day as your green card then by all means renew your license one week before the expiration date. I beleive that most DMV's will allow a person to renew a license at least 30 days prior to expiration.

[*JG* 2]

You should have the NOA1 letter for the I-751, this extends the green-card for a year, and most states DMV will accept that letter as evidence of legal presence.

But not many. I know Georgia will not. Since your license expires the same day as your green card then by all means renew your license one week before the expiration date. I beleive that most DMV's will allow a person to renew a license at least 30 days prior to expiration.

Missouri will let you do it up to 6 months before expiration.

That being said, even if you renew....WHENEVER, it will still expire at the one year expiration date of the NOA.

Andre's green card and license also expire on the same day next year. I have been told to take the NOA to the DMV and they will extend the license until that NOA expires or he gets a 10 year green card, whichever comes first. Then, we will have to go back to the DMV to get another license. So much BS and work involved in all this.

I also worry what happens if the processing of the 10 year green card exceeds the 1 year extended time limit.

[k1spain 0]

NJ accepted the extension letter. However, I believe I ws lucky and they confused it with the regular 10 year green card renewal letter. Nobody seemed to know much at that office.

[James 2]

You should have the NOA1 letter for the I-751, this extends the green-card for a year, and most states DMV will accept that letter as evidence of legal presence.

I see that in addition to being almost two years away from actually having to deal with what and where an I-751 NOA1 can get one, you apparently have precious little experience dealing with low-level state employees.

[jsnearline 2]

Now, let's play nice...

It comes down to what they SHOULD accept vs. what they WILL accept. The only way to find out is to go to your local DMV and ask.

Edited December 4, 2007 by jsnearline

[derekkj 0]

In Virginia, they're notorious for not accepting anything other than a green card or EAD and tend to look suspiciously at NOAs. It's one of the downsides of having DMV staff with no immigration experience charged with enforcing legal presence statutes.

I am happy to report that on Saturday Derek and I went to the DMV in Arlington, VA and had absolutely no problems using his NOA1 to get his driver's license renewed. Even though I was braced for a fight, they didn't even blink an eye. It was almost disappointing. Anyway, his conditional gc and old license both expire on December 22, 2007. New license actually expires on December 22, 2008 instead of the NOA1 expiration date which is nice.

But like Jomo's Girl said, we will be back at the DMV next December once again, hopefully though getting the license renewed for 5 years instead. And I am also worried about what happens if D doesn't have his 10 year gc in hand by then. But that's a bridge we will cross when (and if) we get to it.

[jsnearline 2]

Glad to hear about a good experience at the VA DMV.

When my wife and I moved to Colorado, she was pleasantly surprised to get a full five year license when she traded in her VA license. I guess they assumed she was legit if she'd managed to get a Virginia license. So that's one less hassle we have to worry about while her paperwork is pending.

[KJ79 0]

my greencard expired on the 2nd of december. two days before, i went to the DMV and got a texas drivers license. its yet to come in the mail but per the clerk it wont expire until 2010. i watched her write down the expiration date of my greencard and it didnt seem to be an issue. she barely scanned my social security card. obviously i didnt push it, but it seems to have worked out fine. i guess this would be different for every state. good luck.

[Marie1123 0]

NJ accepted the extension letter. However, I believe I ws lucky and they confused it with the regular 10 year green card renewal letter. Nobody seemed to know much at that office.

Which NJ DMV did you go to?