California- Driver's License vs. ID card

[Chamy and Gatita 3]

Californians,

We just found out the hard way that the ID card is not worth it, and we want to save everyone else the money we lost.

My husband came here on a K-1 visa. After getting married, he applied for an ID card from DMV. It cost $23 and does not require a SSN according to the DMV website. We kept thinking, any day now that ID will be coming in the mail. My new license came (a work-related change, not a name change) within a week. 6 weeks later, nothing for my husband.

Now he is ready to take the written test for a driver's permit. Still no ID card, and now there's really no reason to have one anyways. We finally found the receipt for the ID card, and right there in black and white it says:

"If you do not receive your ID card in 60 days, please contact DMV."

60 days!!!!! Take heed, fellow Californian VJers, don't bother with the ID card! You can get your SSN and be ready to take the driver's test before the ID arrives!

[Jasman0717 9]

It took a couple of months for Claudeth to get her ID card. I think they mumbled something about checking with the USCIS. Anyway, when her card arrived it was very short term, it expired when her conditional card expired.

[Chamy and Gatita 3]

Hubby passed the written test (hint: in California you can take it in Spanish! yay!) but DMV told him he didn't have the right documents for them to issue a driver's license. (But they happily took his money!) His test and applicaiton fee are good for one year, but we still need to find out what papers they need. They said his visa is good for only ne more month and they would not accept it. I'm guessing the answer is going to be that we need to show conditional residency-- and I haven't filed for him yet. :-( Anyone have any information?

[Chamy and Gatita 3]

Here is what DMV requires, as far as documents:

source: http://dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.htm#BDLP

"Birth date verification and legal presence requirements

The issue of identification reliability, integrity, and confidentiality is of prime concern to all citizens. Eligibility for government services, issuance of various licenses, assessment of taxes, the right to vote, etc., are all determined through evaluations based on identification documents. It is critical that identification documents be authenticated and accurate in identifying each individual. The California driver license and ID card have been declared as primary identification documents in this state by the California legislature.

State law requires every applicant for an original California identification (ID) card and driver license to show verification of birth date and proof of legal presence within the United States to help safeguard the accuracy and integrity of departmental documents.

If your current name no longer matches the name on your birth date/legal presence document, see "True Full Name" and "How to Change Your Name" for more information.

Only the original or a certified copy of one of the following documents is acceptable:

US Birth Certificate

US Certificate or Report of Birth Abroad

Federal Proof of Indian Blood Degree

INS American Indian Card

Birth Certificate or passport issued from a US Territory

US Passport

US Military Identification Cards (Active or reserve duty, dependent, retired member, discharged from service, medical/religious personnel)

Common Access Card (only if designated as Active military or Active Reserve or Active Selected Reserve)

Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship

Northern Mariana Card

INS US Citizen ID Card

**Permanent Resident Card

**Temporary Resident Identification Card

Canadian Passport/Birth Certificate

Non-resident Alien Canadian Border Crossing Card

**SEE BELOW**Valid foreign passport with a valid Record of Arrival/Departure (form I-94)

Certification from California Department of Corrections or California Youth Authority

**Employment Authorization Card

**Permanent Resident Re-entry Permit

Refugee travel document

"Processed for I-551" stamped in a valid foreign passport

Valid I-94 stamped "Refugee," "Parole or Parolee," "Asylee," or Section 207, Section 208, Section 209, Section 212d(2), HP or PIP

Immigration judge’s order granting asylum

Certified court order or judgment issued from a court of competent jurisdiction.

Valid I-94 with attached photo stamped "Processed for I-551 temporary evidence of lawful admission for permanent residence"

Notice of Action (I-797 Approved Petition)

Mexican Border Crossing Card with valid I-94

here is the second part, the tricky part we just discovered-- when you come on a K-1 visa, get your SSN asap. If you can get it in less than 30 days, AND get to DMV and pass the written test, you can get a driver's license. (Again, this is in CA only). The rule is, you have to have more than 60 days of legal presence left on your documents or they won't give you a DL. See:

"Limited Term Legal Presence

All original and pending driver license or identification cards will expire on the expiration date of his/her birth date/legal presence document (BD/LP) issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Your BD/LP document must have an expiration date 30 or more days from your application date. If your BD/LP document has an expiration date less than 30 days, you will not be able to start a driver license or identification card application.

If your BD/LP document has an expiration date of less than 60 days, you may complete your licensing requirements (written/vision/driving tests), but you will need to submit another BD/LP document with an expiration date of 60 days or more before your driver license or identification card is mailed to you.

Before your limited term driver license expires, the department will mail out an “extension” letter with instructions on how to complete your application for a driver license.

If your current name no longer matches the name on your birth date/legal presence document, see "True Full Name" and "How to Change Your Name" for more information."

I hope this is helpful and that someone else gets to have a DL after reading this!

[LynnandAhmed 0]

Hubby passed the written test (hint: in California you can take it in Spanish! yay!) but DMV told him he didn't have the right documents for them to issue a driver's license. (But they happily took his money!) His test and applicaiton fee are good for one year, but we still need to find out what papers they need. They said his visa is good for only ne more month and they would not accept it. I'm guessing the answer is going to be that we need to show conditional residency-- and I haven't filed for him yet. :-( Anyone have any information?

They need the EAD card before they can issue you a drivers license.

Your spouse can take the written and driving part of the test anytime, but they won't issue

you the drivers license until you have that EAD card showing valid resident status.

His EAD came last week and he got his licenses today at the DMV. Yeah!

[zuluweta 250]

Californians,

We just found out the hard way that the ID card is not worth it, and we want to save everyone else the money we lost.

My husband came here on a K-1 visa. After getting married, he applied for an ID card from DMV. It cost $23 and does not require a SSN according to the DMV website. We kept thinking, any day now that ID will be coming in the mail. My new license came (a work-related change, not a name change) within a week. 6 weeks later, nothing for my husband.

Now he is ready to take the written test for a driver's permit. Still no ID card, and now there's really no reason to have one anyways. We finally found the receipt for the ID card, and right there in black and white it says:

"If you do not receive your ID card in 60 days, please contact DMV."

60 days!!!!! Take heed, fellow Californian VJers, don't bother with the ID card! You can get your SSN and be ready to take the driver's test before the ID arrives!

I read this thread too late, LOL!

I applied for a CA state ID in August 2014, paid the fees and all that. Then the CA DMV people tell me that I could've just applied for a CA Drivers License for several dollars more. And that even if I have an expired DL from another state (which is my case), I just need to take the written test and no more driving test. So yes, I would say the CA state ID was a waste of time and money in my case.

By the way, I have the receipt for the state ID application from August 25. It's almost 1 month (in a week) and still nothing in the mail. Is this waiting period normal for state or drivers license in CA?