DMV nightmare

[Johnnie Oz 0]

I had an interesting experience at the LA (Culver City) California DMV myself (see below)

So in Wisconsin, the NOA1 for AOS etc is enough to get a real DL??? Wow!! In Michigan, I read that you need the actual green card, even an EAD is not enough.

BTW, my temp CA license expires 5 days BEFORE my I-94???

PS: what kind of comments did you folks get about your SS# and Immigration status? I was told they were checking something with DHS. On the DMV site, it says you can get "extensions" to temporary licenses if this check is still pending. So I might try to extend mine BEFORE getting the EAD...thoughts?

My experience posted in this thread

This was before filing for AOS

"Los Angeles, California (Culver City DMV)

Having received my SSN (applied 2 weeks after arrival), I immediately went down to the local DMV. I filled out the application and began inquiring about this whole DHS clearance and only valid for as long as I-94 thing.

This was prompted by frumpy question along the lines of "why are you applying for this, how long are you staying?"

When I said for good, the tone changed.

She seemed to understand that the situation was absurd:

someone who has moved here after months waiting on a petition (that we paid for), having it accepted, then applying for a visa and getting it (also paid for) is somehow still seen as temporary by the DMV. despite marrying an American citizen etc etc.

Meanwhile, my name and info immediately clears the SAVE database at SSA but 2 WEEKS LATER at the DMV there seems to be an issue. I think she said my status is pending. how difficult is it to hook up to the same database? very it seems.

Annoying that the SSA treats you like an immigrant but the DMV like a Martian.

Anywho, she was nice and asked if I had driven before. I said yes, but that I only had an expired license from a country I had lived in before and that it expired some 5 years ago (long story). I was getting ready to be receive a humiliating permit of some kind, when she turned around and asked her supervisor

"do we honor expired foreign licenses?" upon which the supervisor said "yes".

No mention of how long it had been expired and when i showed it, all was good as they entered the info into the computer.

Upon passing my written test, I was given a temporary 2 month license. I can drive again!

No need for a co-pilot even...But I do have to take the practical test within two months.

Some questions:

- this two month thing. My temp license expires a week before my I-94. Should I just drive on this and only apply to take the test when i have my EAD? Otherwise, I'll just get a license that expires with my I-94 and then I have to renew (which costs money). If I wait, I may avoid the renewal fee.

- There is no mention of using expired foreign licenses etc on the Cali DMV site or in the Vehicle Code, and judging by other States, this is quite an anamoly. Other experiences?

- What about this "extending" of a license while name/status is clearing DHS? Is this something I can do until I have EAD, thereby avoiding renewal fees?"

cheers

[The Robinsons 0]

Just co-signing on the DMV nightmare.

I did DCF so I don't have a I-94 and after being turned down by one DMV office here in NC I went to another one who after alot of explaining and almost begging accepted my "entry visa" (which serves as a temporary greencard for 1 year) as proof of legal residence. Problem is it's only good until april 17th.

So unless I get my greencard from TSC before then I'll be without a driver license once again. Seeing that NC only lets you drive on your foreign license for 3 months. Gotta love it.

[Krikit 1,164]

Anywho, she was nice and asked if I had driven before. I said yes, but that I only had an expired license from a country I had lived in before and that it expired some 5 years ago (long story). I was getting ready to be receive a humiliating permit of some kind, when she turned around and asked her supervisor

"do we honor expired foreign licenses?" upon which the supervisor said "yes".

No mention of how long it had been expired and when i showed it, all was good as they entered the info into the computer.

Upon passing my written test, I was given a temporary 2 month license. I can drive again!

No need for a co-pilot even...But I do have to take the practical test within two months.

There are people in the Canada Forum who only had learner's permits but were given full-blown licenses in the US without a test.

California has the same AOS NOA rule as Florida and Wisconsin. See this link. Sorry I don't have any experience to answer your other questions.

[kimandfred 0]

So in Wisconsin, the NOA1 for AOS etc is enough to get a real DL??? Wow!! In Michigan, I read that you need the actual green card, even an EAD is not enough.

No, not just an NOA1 for AOS for Wisconsin, they needed his I-94 and if we had gone to the DMV after his I-94 expired with no EAD or greencard, they would have turned us away with no license.

That's really odd that not even your EAD could get you a license. How are you supposed to get to work? An EAD shows legal presence....

Edited February 16, 2008 by kimandfred

[Krikit 1,164]

So in Wisconsin, the NOA1 for AOS etc is enough to get a real DL??? Wow!! In Michigan, I read that you need the actual green card, even an EAD is not enough.

No, not just an NOA1 for AOS for Wisconsin, they needed his I-94 and if we had gone to the DMV after his I-94 expired with no EAD or greencard, they would have turned us away with no license.

Please don't take this as an offense against what you're saying. It's only intended as a response to what that DMV office has told you. They are completely wrong. Wisconsin's DMV rules are the same as Florida's. I had an expired I-94. I had no EAD. I had no greencard. I did, however, have an I-797 NOA receipt. And.... after an extended discussion..... with an escalation to a more knowledgeable staff person..... I received my driver's license.

[kimandfred 0]

So in Wisconsin, the NOA1 for AOS etc is enough to get a real DL??? Wow!! In Michigan, I read that you need the actual green card, even an EAD is not enough.

No, not just an NOA1 for AOS for Wisconsin, they needed his I-94 and if we had gone to the DMV after his I-94 expired with no EAD or greencard, they would have turned us away with no license.

Please don't take this as an offense against what you're saying. It's only intended as a response to what that DMV office has told you. They are completely wrong. Wisconsin's DMV rules are the same as Florida's. I had an expired I-94. I had no EAD. I had no greencard. I did, however, have an I-797 NOA receipt. And.... after an extended discussion..... with an escalation to a more knowledgeable staff person..... I received my driver's license.

There's no doubt in my mind that the people there didn't know what they were talking about. The response they gave us for several questions was 'I don't know, I don't know anything about that...you'll have to find out from this person or that person'

[Jigi 0]

hi,

Just a question .. i dont know if i am allowed to write it here.... but Me and my wife are going to go for a written test.. {since her got expired last month... which we both got forgot}...

HOW MANY QUESTIONS ARE THERE IN THE ILLINOIS WRITTEN TEST ?

Jigi

[athena_ny 1]

So in Wisconsin, the NOA1 for AOS etc is enough to get a real DL??? Wow!! In Michigan, I read that you need the actual green card, even an EAD is not enough.

No, not just an NOA1 for AOS for Wisconsin, they needed his I-94 and if we had gone to the DMV after his I-94 expired with no EAD or greencard, they would have turned us away with no license.

Please don't take this as an offense against what you're saying. It's only intended as a response to what that DMV office has told you. They are completely wrong. Wisconsin's DMV rules are the same as Florida's. I had an expired I-94. I had no EAD. I had no greencard. I did, however, have an I-797 NOA receipt. And.... after an extended discussion..... with an escalation to a more knowledgeable staff person..... I received my driver's license.

M. has no trouble in FL, though. Showed them his NOA-1, and his passport with the expired I-94 for his tourist visa, and they said, "Well, it looks like you came in legally..." and issued him a DL that expired in a year.

[bora bora 1]

So in Wisconsin, the NOA1 for AOS etc is enough to get a real DL??? Wow!! In Michigan, I read that you need the actual green card, even an EAD is not enough.

No, not just an NOA1 for AOS for Wisconsin, they needed his I-94 and if we had gone to the DMV after his I-94 expired with no EAD or greencard, they would have turned us away with no license.

Please don't take this as an offense against what you're saying. It's only intended as a response to what that DMV office has told you. They are completely wrong. Wisconsin's DMV rules are the same as Florida's. I had an expired I-94. I had no EAD. I had no greencard. I did, however, have an I-797 NOA receipt. And.... after an extended discussion..... with an escalation to a more knowledgeable staff person..... I received my driver's license.

M. has no trouble in FL, though. Showed them his NOA-1, and his passport with the expired I-94 for his tourist visa, and they said, "Well, it looks like you came in legally..." and issued him a DL that expired in a year.

They didn't say anything to us in FL - just gave hubby a DL valid for a year. Now that he has his GC it's valid for 6.