Went to get my FL drivers license this morning

[Brian and Jenn 0]

Everything was easy as far as testing went. There was no written or driving test to be had even though my Canadian license is expired. I dont have a SSN yet and even that didnt matter!!

All I had to do was pass the eye exam.

Which I did not........

So Jennifer and I drove to the nearest Eye examiner in a quest to obtain some glasses quickly.

Since we were informed it will take a few days to get glasses made with the correct lenses I decided to try to get some contact lenses. They would be ready instantly and I could drive back and get my license.

2 hours later I only have 1 contact in, my eyes are almost bleeding and I can barely see straight from the pain in my eyes.

I needed to get them both in, then take them out and put them back in before they would 'release me'.

I gave up after 2 hours and feel completly bummed out.

Is it just me or has anyone else had problems actually getting them in? I tried everything but I guess I am a flincher.

Glasses will be ready on the weekend and I have another appt scheduled for the DMV on Monday morning.

-Brian

[xtinab 0]

My eyes were horrible and I was cursed with even worse glasses all through school. When I was seventeen, I ordered contacts for myself. Same thing, they wouldn't let me leave till I could do it myself. I got there for my appointment at 6 and stayed till I had it. I left the office with them when they closed at 9pm. That was THE best purchase I've ever made in my life. Walking out of that office, I was the happiest girl alive at that moment.

(If you could see the glasses I was made to wear over the years, you'd understand)

Edited December 10, 2008 by xtinab

[JillA 2]

It's different for everyone, don't give up on contacts yet! The first time you try contacts it's hard but you just practice a few times (after your eyes heal!) and they are much better than glasses, in my opinion!

[trailmix 77]

Geez, was that a vision place or some kind of torture place?? Oh and since we both live in Lake Mary, can you please tell me where you went so we know not to go there

I have worn contacts since I was about 15 - the thing is I wear hard contact lenses (gas permeable) - now I have been wearing this type of lens for a while - I can't feel them - but, one time I did try soft lenses and it was awful for me.

From wearing hard lenses so long you would think wearing soft ones would be a breeze - i'm not a flincher in terms of contacts at all - but I found them incredibly uncomfortable.

So, knowing zero about soft lenses I won't be much help, however, I assume they are different for different people. The first pair of hard lenses I got were awful, uncomfortable and they just kept saying wear them - you need to get used to them. Well I didn't, couldn't stand it and lo and behold the next pair I got were worlds apart from the first (hard lenses actually have to be 'fitted' though). Could just be a bad fit for you, you probably need to try a different kind in my opinion.

Edited December 10, 2008 by trailmix

[Emancipation 2]

The trick I have found with contacts is to start by putting the contact in at the bottom of the eye, and then roll your finger up as you put the rest of the contact in.... I wish I could show you not tell you, but don't try to put all the contact in at one time, start with the bottom and roll up the rest of the contact.

Showed hubby that trick and he found it easy after that.. Hope it helps..

Edited December 10, 2008 by Emancipation

[The_Dude 1,142]

I had a similar problem when I tried to get contact lenses in. I just can't seem to bring myself to touch my eye. I watched a video on how to di it, then the nurse at the optomotrist did it herself a couple of times, then it was my turn. What a huge disaster. I'd get it right up to my eye, then i just couldn't do it. Thank god they made me try it out before actually charging me. The massochistic nurse at the optomotrist kept saying words of encouragement like "come on, just do it, its not a big deal, even kids do it." I gave up.

[antda 13]

Hi BrianandJenn,

Thanks for posting your experience about getting a driver's license in Florida, even though you didn't have an SSN yet and your AOS is still pending. What documents did you have to show to get your license transferred, as you did not have your SSN and you had an expired Canadian license?

Sorry that you had a hard time passing your eye exam, with your new contact lenses. Hope all works out better for you at the DMV on Monday, and you pass your eye exam then when you get your glasses.

Lol...if it makes you feel any better, I had a hard time with contact lenses too. I tried, for such a long time, but gave up on them, and now am back to glasses. I attribute my inability to wear contact lenses to a) The shape of the contact lenses (lol...the ones for astigmatism are shaped funny) and b ) I have 'unusually' shaped eyes. Oh well, glasses worked well for me before, and work well for me now, as I still wear them from time to time for reading and writing purposes.

Oh and another funny story: In Canada (Ontario) when the MTO tested my eyes, they said that I needed glasses, and my license was marked with an "x" for "corrective lenses" restriction. However, in the USA (New York State) when the DMV tested my eyes, they said that I didn't need glasses/corrective lenses. Why the inconsistency in this 'vision test' for me, who knows. Maybe it's because the signage is a lot bigger and clearer here in the USA than in Canada, and therefore I don't need glasses to see such? Or maybe my eyes got better here in the USA (just kidding)? But thank goodness I legally don't have to glasses/corrective lenses ever again to drive! What a bother to have to wear such when driving (oh glasses are horrible for night glare and fogging/steaming)! Blah...

Good luck in getting your driver's license and good luck on the rest of your immigration journey, BrianandJenn!

Ant (Glasses-free USA driving!)

Everything was easy as far as testing went. There was no written or driving test to be had even though my Canadian license is expired. I dont have a SSN yet and even that didnt matter!!

All I had to do was pass the eye exam.

Which I did not........

So Jennifer and I drove to the nearest Eye examiner in a quest to obtain some glasses quickly.

Since we were informed it will take a few days to get glasses made with the correct lenses I decided to try to get some contact lenses. They would be ready instantly and I could drive back and get my license.

2 hours later I only have 1 contact in, my eyes are almost bleeding and I can barely see straight from the pain in my eyes.

I needed to get them both in, then take them out and put them back in before they would 'release me'.

I gave up after 2 hours and feel completly bummed out.

Is it just me or has anyone else had problems actually getting them in? I tried everything but I guess I am a flincher.

Glasses will be ready on the weekend and I have another appt scheduled for the DMV on Monday morning.

-Brian

Edited December 11, 2008 by AntandD

[Carlawarla 1]

I went back and forth for years between contacts and glasses. I have an astigmatism as well. I found that contacts were a bother, and after 12 hours, my one eye that has the astigmatism was irritated. I'm sure that things have changed for contacts now, because I haven't worn them for about 5 years now. I love my glasses. I need progressive lenses too now as well, so glasses have been a lifesaver.

[Brian and Jenn 0]

It's different for everyone, don't give up on contacts yet! The first time you try contacts it's hard but you just practice a few times (after your eyes heal!) and they are much better than glasses, in my opinion!

I am not the quitter type. Believe you me I will get them!

After I obtain my license in my spare time I will go back and get them in, even it takes 12 hours.

I felt horrible when they kept making comments like "Oh be comfortable, even 11 year olds get them in".

Geez, was that a vision place or some kind of torture place?? Oh and since we both live in Lake Mary, can you please tell me where you went so we know not to go there

I have worn contacts since I was about 15 - the thing is I wear hard contact lenses (gas permeable) - now I have been wearing this type of lens for a while - I can't feel them - but, one time I did try soft lenses and it was awful for me.

From wearing hard lenses so long you would think wearing soft ones would be a breeze - i'm not a flincher in terms of contacts at all - but I found them incredibly uncomfortable.

So, knowing zero about soft lenses I won't be much help, however, I assume they are different for different people. The first pair of hard lenses I got were awful, uncomfortable and they just kept saying wear them - you need to get used to them. Well I didn't, couldn't stand it and lo and behold the next pair I got were worlds apart from the first (hard lenses actually have to be 'fitted' though). Could just be a bad fit for you, you probably need to try a different kind in my opinion.

It is called McDonald Eyewear and is on the same street as the DMV in Winter Springs. It is maybe a 3 min drive from there.

Thanks for sharing your experiences with your contacts!

The trick I have found with contacts is to start by putting the contact in at the bottom of the eye, and then roll your finger up as you put the rest of the contact in.... I wish I could show you not tell you, but don't try to put all the contact in at one time, start with the bottom and roll up the rest of the contact.

Showed hubby that trick and he found it easy after that.. Hope it helps..

WOW I wish I knew that!! I was trying to go in straight all the way and jam it in there without blinking.

The doctor was not much help at all

By the end of it I was getting much better but it was too late. 2 hours of sticking your eye, it was in alot of pain.

I had a similar problem when I tried to get contact lenses in. I just can't seem to bring myself to touch my eye. I watched a video on how to di it, then the nurse at the optomotrist did it herself a couple of times, then it was my turn. What a huge disaster. I'd get it right up to my eye, then i just couldn't do it. Thank god they made me try it out before actually charging me. The massochistic nurse at the optomotrist kept saying words of encouragement like "come on, just do it, its not a big deal, even kids do it." I gave up.

That is almost 100% my exact experience!!!!

Ya thanks for the kind words Doc.

[Brian and Jenn 0]

Hi BrianandJenn,

Thanks for posting your experience about getting a driver's license in Florida, even though you didn't have an SSN yet and your AOS is still pending. What documents did you have to show to get your license transferred, as you did not have your SSN and you had an expired Canadian license?

Sorry that you had a hard time passing your eye exam, with your new contact lenses. Hope all works out better for you at the DMV on Monday, and you pass your eye exam then when you get your glasses.

Lol...if it makes you feel any better, I had a hard time with contact lenses too. I tried, for such a long time, but gave up on them, and now am back to glasses. I attribute my inability to wear contact lenses to a) The shape of the contact lenses (lol...the ones for astigmatism are shaped funny) and b ) I have 'unusually' shaped eyes. Oh well, glasses worked well for me before, and work well for me now, as I still wear them from time to time for reading and writing purposes.

Oh and another funny story: In Canada (Ontario) when the MTO tested my eyes, they said that I needed glasses, and my license was marked with an "x" for "corrective lenses" restriction. However, in the USA (New York State) when the DMV tested my eyes, they said that I didn't need glasses/corrective lenses. Why the inconsistency in this 'vision test' for me, who knows. Maybe it's because the signage is a lot bigger and clearer here in the USA than in Canada, and therefore I don't need glasses to see such? Or maybe my eyes got better here in the USA (just kidding)? But thank goodness I legally don't have to glasses/corrective lenses ever again to drive! What a bother to have to wear such when driving (oh glasses are horrible for night glare and fogging/steaming)! Blah...

Good luck in getting your driver's license and good luck on the rest of your immigration journey, BrianandJenn!

Ant (Glasses-free USA driving!)

Everything was easy as far as testing went. There was no written or driving test to be had even though my Canadian license is expired. I dont have a SSN yet and even that didnt matter!!

All I had to do was pass the eye exam.

Which I did not........

So Jennifer and I drove to the nearest Eye examiner in a quest to obtain some glasses quickly.

Since we were informed it will take a few days to get glasses made with the correct lenses I decided to try to get some contact lenses. They would be ready instantly and I could drive back and get my license.

2 hours later I only have 1 contact in, my eyes are almost bleeding and I can barely see straight from the pain in my eyes.

I needed to get them both in, then take them out and put them back in before they would 'release me'.

I gave up after 2 hours and feel completly bummed out.

Is it just me or has anyone else had problems actually getting them in? I tried everything but I guess I am a flincher.

Glasses will be ready on the weekend and I have another appt scheduled for the DMV on Monday morning.

-Brian

Hey Ant,

Getting the license was incredibly easy. All I had to bring was my NOA's, birth certificate, and PassPort and they would just give me a FL license even though my Canadian one was expired. If it is expired less then 2 years you are ok.

All you have to do is pass the eye exam.

[Emancipation 2]

The doctor was not much help at all

The last time I went to the optometrist he was telling me about these amazing new contacts that I was going to love. I hated them, they wouldn't stay in my eyes, and literally kept popping out of my eye.. he was arguing with me about how much more healthy they were than my old ones, blah blah blah and I argued back saying "they aren't much good if they won't stay in!".. so finally after I begged him to order my older (less healthy) contacts, he relented. When I picked up the contacts later, the girl at the desk was asking me why I didn't order the new fancy ones and I told her, and she said "didn't the Dr tell you that there is only one way to put those in (I'm used to weighted contacts that I can put in any which way and they will adjust themselves) no.. i said.. he failed to mention that IMPORTANT detail!! That's why they were popping out bah.. I'm convinced that optometrists don't try out these things themselves!

[antda 13]

Hi BrianandJenn,

Thanks for your reply there, as I wondered if it was possible for a person to get a driver's license while their AOS was pending and they have no other immigration status. Glad you had no problems there, and everything worked out for you documentation-wise with the Florida DMV.

Wow, that sounds pretty easy that you got your Florida driver's license while your AOS is pending and with the following documentation that you listed before. Likewise, I had the similar documentation as you listed while my AOS was pending (except that I don't have a Canadian birth certificate, and had to show my Canadian passport for that instead, and I also showed my marriage certificate to change over to my married last name).

However, here in New York State where I am, they require everyone to have an SSN before they issue a driver's license, regardless of immigration and/or other situation. So because of that, I had to wait until my green card, then another 8 weeks afterwards for my SSN (stupid SSA government delay there) to get my US driver's license (see my VJ timeline for more information).

Still, I was glad that I could exchange my Canadian license right away, just by passing the eye test, and paying the appropriate $45 fee, good for 4 years. For me, it was in and out of the DMV in 10-20 mins...with a US driver's license (that arrived in the mail a week later)...easy peasy...Lol...if only the USCIS can be as efficient and as quick as the NYS DMV!!!

While my AOS was pending, I drove my husband's car with my still-valid unexpired Canadian driver's license (very carefully), and hoped that I didn't get caught driving without US insurance (which I didn't). Thank goodness though; I don't have to worry about that anymore now!

Funny though, now, I can drive and work legally in the USA for 4 years and longer, with a 4yr driver's license and an unrestricted SSN, yet I cannot live here for more than 2 years, unless I get my 2yr green card renewed for a 10 yr green card with the I-751...Weird....

Ant

Hey Ant,

Getting the license was incredibly easy. All I had to bring was my NOA's, birth certificate, and PassPort and they would just give me a FL license even though my Canadian one was expired. If it is expired less then 2 years you are ok.

All you have to do is pass the eye exam.

Edited December 13, 2008 by AntandD

[thetreble 19]

The trick I have found with contacts is to start by putting the contact in at the bottom of the eye, and then roll your finger up as you put the rest of the contact in.... I wish I could show you not tell you, but don't try to put all the contact in at one time, start with the bottom and roll up the rest of the contact.

Showed hubby that trick and he found it easy after that.. Hope it helps..

That helps!

Putting in contact lenses for some people takes time and practice. It did for me!! And my eyes were sore of course. But once I learned some tricks it got easier.

I stopped wearing contacts after a year because I'm not responsible enough to wear them. I end up leaving them in over night and my eyes get sore and dry. Plus, I like my glasses.

[Jasman0717 9]

I tried contacts for a while but finally gave up. I hated the sandy feeling in my eyes all the time. Ugh

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I tried contacts for a while but finally gave up. I hated the sandy feeling in my eyes all the time. Ugh

Same here:-).