No driving license until EAD

[pink_cloud 0]

I went to the DMV last week to take my driving test (South Carolina) and they told me that I cannot take my test until I get my EAD. They said I could have taken my test before we got married, but now that I am adjusting status I need to wait till my EAD comes through. It is SO annoying, especially because when I look at other peoples timelines they dont seem to have had this issue.

Has anyone else had this problem?

[Jenn! 918]

I think it varies by state, and then just by the luck of the draw. My husband was denied the first time he applied for his state ID because they wanted his EAD. He went back the next day and got a different person, who deemed the marriage certificate sufficient, and issued him the ID.

You could always try going to a different DMV.....

Good luck!

[WalCruz 0]

Oh, yeah, that happened to me. The lady said I can only get mine when my status is not pending anymore. I hope I get my EAD soon!

[maryandatif 0]

I went to the DMV last week to take my driving test (South Carolina) and they told me that I cannot take my test until I get my EAD. They said I could have taken my test before we got married, but now that I am adjusting status I need to wait till my EAD comes through. It is SO annoying, especially because when I look at other peoples timelines they dont seem to have had this issue.

Has anyone else had this problem?

North Carolina and South Carolina are pretty much the same.....either way it's frustrating.....need SS# for ID but can't get it until he gets EAD.....wish there was an easier way.

Mary K

[Cassie 8]

I went to the DMV last week to take my driving test (South Carolina) and they told me that I cannot take my test until I get my EAD. They said I could have taken my test before we got married, but now that I am adjusting status I need to wait till my EAD comes through. It is SO annoying, especially because when I look at other peoples timelines they dont seem to have had this issue.

Has anyone else had this problem?

Yes, I had that problem in Oklahoma -- in fact, I was told I couldn't get my OK DL until I could prove my residency -- ie. green card in hand. Fortunately, I still had a valid DL from Canada, and was told I could drive using that until I came back to reapply. Others in Oklahoma have been able to get a DL with a valid EAD card, but the DL is only valid as long as the EAD card is valid. So, no, you're not the only one.

[motu 6]

This is a common problem with a few lucky ones getting their DLs or IDs sometimes. Colorado is also very bad and I talked to the people connected with DMV (insiders) and they told me that that's the policy they have and they don't care to change it - e.g. you need your EAD or green card to get DL or ID in Colorado! Good Luck

[LaL 418]

similar situation here, in FL you cannot get your FL driver's license until you have the greencard. However we have been told that Abdel can no longer drive on his Canadian license since he actually *resides* here now (ie: not a snowbird)... um ok - whatever... once USCIS gets their heads out of their asses and processes our post-AOS name check, we will be 1st in line - but hell if he will stop driving simply because FL has rules that don't coincide with USCIS.... aside from the fact that there are many many Canadians here!

[Clarax 0]

I live in Colorado, and I was able to get a DL without an EAD, but only until the expiration date of my K-1. (3 months from entry to USA) then after that I can only re-new it once I have my EAD.

They accepted my marriage certificate, my passport and NOA1's from AOS and EAD. I had to get photocopies of all documents, but it worked.

But, as lots of you have already said, it really is hit or miss whether you get a DL without an EAD.

[motu 6]

I live in Colorado, and I was able to get a DL without an EAD, but only until the expiration date of my K-1. (3 months from entry to USA) then after that I can only re-new it once I have my EAD.

Yes I agree that they do allow you a DL or ID till your K1 expires - but isnt that completely useless since its just for the 90 day period - and as many others most people continue to drive with their 'foreign' driver's license - hopefully the cops won't know any better and no one gets into trouble!

[sjoefl01 1]

We feel your pain. It is actually worse than that in Florida. You have to be clear with SS to get a license. Ead is not the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. These folks are all #######. It's not about National Security. It is about screwing with people!!!

[HuffyTheSlayer 22]

It's the same here with Utah, you have to have EAD or a GC to get a Drivers License or even state ID. It totally sucks.

[LaL 418]

We feel your pain. It is actually worse than that in Florida. You have to be clear with SS to get a license. Ead is not the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. These folks are all #######. It's not about National Security. It is about screwing with people!!!

lol i tried to make sense of it, but the only thing i can thinkof is they have not updated their procedure to match the new AOS format - is : used to be able to AOS in a day, now that it takes months (or in some cases years eeeeeeek!), the DMV needs to be revamped. coming up with an excuse for them does not help with the bitterness though!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I had the same situation here in Georgia. I was turned down the first time since I needed proof from immigration of my legal residency - a GC or EAD - my K-1 and I-94 weren't acceptable. You also require a SSN to get a DL here - which I did have. You are supposed to change your license within 30 days, however, it took longer than that to get to the point where I could get the EAD. I explained the situation to the DMV and they told me that I could continue driving with my Canadian license for up to one year without a problem. I did go do my Georgia tests and got my State license as soon as my EAD came through though.

[Clownies 2]

dmv San Francisco: they said i have to renew my visa to get a DL, because the K1 expires begin of June!!

They didn't say anything about EAD!

Frustrating, especially since i've been driving a car for almost 16 years now, in one of the most dense countries of the world!