Getting a DL in Indiana really sucks

[Dr. Obvious 49]

This is almost as bad as USCIS. To get his license, he has to be centrally verified. It has been two months now and no one knows anything period. No one calls me back and I can't get a hold of them. He can't get a real learning permit until then, only a driving waiver. AGH.

Edited January 3, 2008 by Wacken

[*JG* 2]

We had to wait for Andre's green card before they would even let him test for the learner's permit in St. Louis. Hang in there.

[Dr. Obvious 49]

We have the green card though and the SSN. They just have to be 'centrally verified' by the state. I am not sure what about this process takes two months or more. I am just really frustrated by this.

[Mags 112]

We have the green card though and the SSN. They just have to be 'centrally verified' by the state. I am not sure what about this process takes two months or more. I am just really frustrated by this.

I know how you feel! I've finally got my ####### down to get my state ID and guess what? This also has to be centrally verified too, just like the DL. I have my GC and SSN as well, just like you. /sigh.

From what I understand the DL and State ID applications get sent to Anapolis and onto the USCIS database. There they will verify that you are who you say you are and match up their info with Indiana's. Could take bloody ages, knowing what USCIS is like.

Edited January 3, 2008 by Mags

[*JG* 2]

What does centrally verified even mean?

[Dr. Obvious 49]

Means it sucks to live in Indiana if you want an Indiana license as a foreign license holder. Mags explained it pretty well in her edit. Not all states apparently require such a mess or must have a better way of going about it.

*Emails other states for their requirements...*

[Mags 112]

What does centrally verified even mean?

That the info that Indiana provides has to match up with USCIS's info on their database. Which means that all State ID and DL applications have to be processed through USCIS...again.

Edited January 3, 2008 by Mags

[Ephesia 0]

This is almost as bad as USCIS. To get his license, he has to be centrally verified. It has been two months now and no one knows anything period. No one calls me back and I can't get a hold of them. He can't get a real learning permit until then, only a driving waiver. AGH.

I got my learner's permit from Indy's BMV on day 94 after they sent my docs in for central verification. It was hard to wait, but at least I could drive with that piece of paper and my hubby next to me.

And you are right - they don't know anything. I had no choice but to wait.

[Dr. Obvious 49]

Day 94. I have no idea how long I am even willing to wait. They told me the 60 days for the permit don't even start until he gets the card (found this out today). I don't even want to live in this stupid state that long, this problem aside. I have no idea what to do. I am looking at giving up and moving anyway in February. This is so ridiculous.

Edited January 3, 2008 by Wacken

[milimelo 4,477]

I got my LP 10 days after we arrived - it did take going to East Chicago BMV as they apparently deal with more immigrants than others. If you're in NWI I recommend going there. And to emphasise, I did not have a GC (still don't) but the CR-1 visa did it along with a letter from a bank as proof of address.

I'm scheduled to take my DL driving test on 1/10 at East Chicago - held LP for 6 months.

[Dr. Obvious 49]

Eh, it isn't worth the trip. Besides, looking at another state's licensing requirements makes me think I should just forget it and move there sooner than originally planned. I thought wrongly that it would be best just to get the license here then move as an interstate transfer would be easier. Then I learned some depressing things like a good percentage of states don't even have this process in the first place and don't have the extremely long learning permit requirement for applicants over the age of 18 regardless of prior licensing status. Agh. I wish I had known about all of this before, could have saved me a lot of time. Needs to be a DL Journey site.

[tom&tata 2]

My experience was slightly easier for DL in Indiana. The green card was issued Feb 06, I went to DMV in Aug 06 & got my learner's permit in 1 week because of SSN cannot be verified (had to go to SSA office for a letter of verification). Held permit for 2 months & had my driving test in October. They issued 7 year DL.

I had to go back to my country to quit my jobs & finish up before coming back in Jul 06 - it might be the reason why it was easier for me or it is just different office handles it differently?

[milimelo 4,477]

My experience was slightly easier for DL in Indiana. The green card was issued Feb 06, I went to DMV in Aug 06 & got my learner's permit in 1 week because of SSN cannot be verified (had to go to SSA office for a letter of verification). Held permit for 2 months & had my driving test in October. They issued 7 year DL.

I had to go back to my country to quit my jobs & finish up before coming back in Jul 06 - it might be the reason why it was easier for me or it is just different office handles it differently?

Which BMV office - which county?

[tom&tata 2]

My experience was slightly easier for DL in Indiana. The green card was issued Feb 06, I went to DMV in Aug 06 & got my learner's permit in 1 week because of SSN cannot be verified (had to go to SSA office for a letter of verification). Held permit for 2 months & had my driving test in October. They issued 7 year DL.

I had to go back to my country to quit my jobs & finish up before coming back in Jul 06 - it might be the reason why it was easier for me or it is just different office handles it differently?

Which BMV office - which county?

South Bend - St Joe

[Mags 112]

I think it also matter when you applied. If I recall this new centrally verified thing has only been in use for part of 2007, so a few here may have applied for their licence before it was brought into practice.