Virginia Driving License

[H&V 5]

Hi, I'm after some advice from anyone who has recently got/knows about getting a VA driving licence when you're in the USA on a K1 visa.

I have looked at the DMV website for VA and it says 'Within 60 days of moving here, you must obtain a Virginia driver's license.' but it doesn't say what happens if you don't get it within 60 days?! What I *think* they mean is for the first 60 days you can drive on your foreign (in my case UK) licence but after that you have to get a VA license - is that correct?

Looking at the acceptable documents to aply for a DL I need 'two identification documents, one proof of legal presence, one proof of Virginia residency, and proof of your complete social security number (if you have been issued one)' http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/pdf/dmv141.pdf. I can use my UK passport with K1 visa + I-94 for one proof of ID and the proof of legal prsence, I will have a utiliy bill or similar for proof of VA residence and I will hopefully get a SSN after a couple of weeks.

So it's the second form of ID I'm wondering about. There is that 'INS form I-797 displaying applicant’s name (depending on the nature and purpose of the form, the I-797 may not be accepted)' - is that an NOA from AOS filing? So does that mean I can't get a DL until I get married and file for AOS? (since I'm not getting married until 53 days after entry on K1 that gives me about a week to be under the 60 days this could be annoying!). Or does anyone know if they have ever waived this or let you use something else?

Any other nuggets of info regarding getting a DL in VA? Thanks in advance!

APOLOGIES FOR DOUBLE POST -how do I delete?!

Edited May 19, 2009 by H&V

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I've removed the duplicate post - no problems!

[Lauren&Roel 0]

Not sure specifically about Virginia, but at least in NJ, you need to have at least 60 days left on your visa to use it as documentation. That means you need to get the license within the first 30 days of entering the country. You need to also have a utility bill or some kind of government mailing to show your proof of address -- we were using the SSN card with the mailing address.

Also -- the license they would give you would expire on the expiry date of your visa -- so 90 days after you entered the country.

I found this out the hard way, when I went to the NJ DMV a few days ago, about 45 days after entering the US. (Denied!)

They said the next thing they will accept as valid proof of legal residence is the I-797 (AOS approval notice). I'm also going to try with the EAD, which should come sooner, but not sure if they will accept that.