How to get a DL? I am confused!

[Oban 1]

Hi all,

in a few days we will fly to Seattle. That is why I looked up some rules and restrictions for me as a new immigrant. I hope some of you guys can help me...

The DL problem...

To be allowed to drive a car I need a DL... so far so good. I mean I have a european DL and it should be easy to pass the test in the US for the Washington DL, but there is another problem...

On the website of the DMV of Washington I read that I need 3 things:

- SSN

- Proof of state residence

- Proof of legal presence (in the US)

The proof of legal presence is easy. I will show them the I-551 Stamp in my passport. But what about the SSN? I mean it will take weeks until I have one! I can not drive until I have a SSN? How stupid is that?

And the proof of state residence is probably the hardest, because: I do not have any proof at all. I mean I just arrived in the US then? I do not own a house or a car. Nor do I have a W2 from the last year or a utility bill which I can present.

How did you get your DL?

Thanks,

Oban

[Reba 2]

2 weeks after you arrive, go to the SSA office to get your SSN, you should be in their files by then.

Have someone mail you something to your WA address. Sometimes that's enough to prove state residency.

You don't need to do it right away, your Europe license should be good for 30 to 60 days after you arrive, so you have a few weeks yet to get settled.

[Jasman0717 9]

Did you take a look at their web site: http://www.dmv.org/wa-washington/departmen...or-vehicles.php

[Lansbury 19]

You may well find that if you have a German licence Washington State will do a straight swap. Washington and Oregon have similar rules on driving licences and Oregon definitely accepts Germans licences in a straight swap. It is the only EU licence they do this for so you maybe lucky and Washington is the same.

Call the DMV when you get here and ask. Also your EU licence should be valid for one year the 30 days they mention on their web site is for people already holding a US out of State licence and moving to Washington. You can check that when you call as well. I drove for almost 4 months on my UK licence before taking the Oregon test

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Washington does not do license swaps anymore. My husband had his Canadian DL (and previous DLs from Oregon and Utah), and they made him take the exams and all.

I just got an ID, and they did not ask for my SSN. It's worth dropping by or calling and asking. As for the SSN, like folks say here: go to the SSA office in about 2 weeks and get it done.

[Oban 1]

Hi again!

Thank you for the answers. I put the "2 week" thing regarding the SSN on my little list. I will do so. But about the proof of residence... I still think it will be a problem.

On their website they are very exact. They want stuff like a mortage, car title, etc etc etc. Simple bank statements or a letter from friends won't work. But I have nothing in my name in WA?! So what should I do?

[Lansbury 19]

On their website they are very exact. They want stuff like a mortage, car title, etc etc etc. Simple bank statements or a letter from friends won't work. But I have nothing in my name in WA?! So what should I do?

Are you in a position to make use of this:-

You may use documents that are in your spouse’s name if:

your last name is the same as your spouse’s.

OR

you bring in additional documents that prove your relationship, such as a marriage certificate. Your spouse doesn’t need to be present when you apply, and doesn’t need to sign a declaration.

[Lansbury 19]

Washington does not do license swaps anymore.

They will not do a swap an out of State licence if it is expired. If it is current they will.

Most States will not swap an EU licence but a few will swap a German one, again if it is current. The OP might be lucky and Washington does that, I don't know if they do or not but suggested it as a possibility to explore.

Edited February 15, 2008 by Lansbury

[Lili 3]

Warning: What is about to follow is from personal experience, not sure if it will be the same for you.

When i applied couple of years ago, i was never asked to prove state residency. NEVER.

I took the written test, the driving test and i was on my way.

I had to show my passport, and sign a paper saying i am testifying "i am who i say i am" type of thing. I do not remember having to prove that i live in WA.

The SSN is required but no need to show your card. I know it is possible if you have delay in your card to ask the SSA to give you the number(took me months to get the actual card).

Like i mentionned before, it is based on my own experience. It might have changed!

My advice is to go to a local office and ask. You might get lucky and have a person accepting your european driver license and will just have to take the written test.