Watch out! Driving in the US????

[lunabean 0]

Just a quick question: my fiance will be arriving in May with a K1 visa. Can he get a driver's license after he has a social security number (assuming he passes the written test and driving test) or does he need to wait for after he has been approved for an adjustment of status?

He will be blown away by all the strict traffic laws here as well as the idea that a STOP sign actually implies that the person needs to stop......there is so much in store for him.

Does anyone have any info on this?

[malego77 2]

I afraid that he can get his driver license until he'll get his EAD in hand. I tried to get the DL with my K1 visa and it wasn't possible because I needed to have a visa for at least 1 year of validity... Anyway if he have a DL from his homecountry it's valid for 3 months. Good day.

[lunabean 0]

Is that true? He could use his own DL for the first 3 months and then we will get married before the 90 days is up anyway so he can file for his adjustment of status. BUT, then if he needs to wait for the adjustment of status to be processed then won't he have a gap in coverage? He is likely getting a job where he will need a license. Any others with info on this???

Edited April 19, 2008 by lunabean

[eric_and_teresa 10]

I suggest you look for the Department of Transportation's info. on how a foreign can get a driver's license on your State here.

[lunabean 0]

Thanks for the tip. I have some research to do. There will be so many things to take care of as Jose adjusts.

I noticed that your interview is coming up. Good luck! It is pretty exciting isn't it?

[Eric-Pris 1,607]

Tico driving in the US? Clear the streets!

Yes, he will need to learn RED means STOP, not slow down.

And here, if you offer to pay the ticket on the spot, it's called a bribe and it's a felony. There it's called a bonus.

[eric_and_teresa 10]

Thanks for the tip. I have some research to do. There will be so many things to take care of as Jose adjusts.

I noticed that your interview is coming up. Good luck! It is pretty exciting isn't it?

You're right there are so many things that need to be taken care of! Getting the K-1 is just the very first step!

Thank you for your good wishes! I'm starting to get nervous about my upcoming interview but I'm very excited as well

[lunabean 0]

No kidding about the drivers!!!!! I have tried to warn Jose over and over that his driving will have to change in the US. A speeding ticket won't just go away with a smile and a 10 dollar bill!!!

I hate to say it but I have a strong sense that he will experience the joys of traffic school at some point while living here!

[Ursa Tripudio 2]

(Based on traffic in China) Then, there's the concept of paying attention to the lines on the road. Everybody inside of those lines actually drives the same direction!!!

What really worries me the most about Li is that drivers in America don't expect pedestrians to just walk out into traffic.

Check this vid out: Its

, but it could be China (or maybe Costa Rica).

[shawndoc 0]

What about an international driver's license? Basically its a translation document that goes along with your home country driver's license. I'm pretty sure the US allows people from different countries to drive with one. Might only be certain countries though?

[Josh and Nathalie 0]

Tico driving in the US? Clear the streets!

Yes, he will need to learn RED means STOP, not slow down.

And here, if you offer to pay the ticket on the spot, it's called a bribe and it's a felony. There it's called a bonus.

It's funny cause its sooo true.

[Toshtishtash 1]

(Based on traffic in China) Then, there's the concept of paying attention to the lines on the road. Everybody inside of those lines actually drives the same direction!!!

What really worries me the most about Li is that drivers in America don't expect pedestrians to just walk out into traffic.

Check this vid out: Its

, but it could be China (or maybe Costa Rica).

[Mr. Klocek 0]

What about an international driver's license? Basically its a translation document that goes along with your home country driver's license. I'm pretty sure the US allows people from different countries to drive with one. Might only be certain countries though?

GENERALLY, the international drivers' license is valid for 1 year and can only be issued in the country where the original license was issued (CR in this case). However, California has a policy that states that once you take up residency in CA you must get a new, local drivers' license within 2 weeks. There is not going to be an arrival date stamped in his international drivers' license so as long as the CHP or the local PD don't get to know him, he should be OK driving on that license all the way through the AOS process.

[Mags 112]

What about an international driver's license? Basically its a translation document that goes along with your home country driver's license. I'm pretty sure the US allows people from different countries to drive with one. Might only be certain countries though?

An International Driver's Licence is only a translation document for licences that are not written in English. It doesn't give you the right to drive longer without having a US licence.

How long you can drive on a foreign licence differs from state to state. You will need to look up the state you are moving to and check their laws in this regard. Some allow you drive for up to a year on a foreign licence, others 3 months. It's worth looking up.

Edited April 19, 2008 by Mags

[AusCal 3]

How long you can drive on a foreign licence differs from state to state. You will need to look up the state you are moving to and check their laws in this regard. Some allow you drive for up to a year on a foreign licence, others 3 months. It's worth looking up.

As another poster stated, here in CA once you take up residency, you only have two weeks to get a CA state DL. Check out the rules for your state!

It can be such an unfair area - Her in CA - you have moved here (and, told the BCCIS you are a resident) - so, within two weeks can't legally drive using your foreign license, yet, the DMV won't give you a license until you can get an EAD & SS.........big limbo period. I wonder how many new immigrants are flaunting this law - out of necessity, and the inability to drive legally - or, simply being unaware.

I hope your state is kinder.