how soon can i drive?

[Amanda and Tony 0]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering how soon can I get my state driving licence once I enter the US? I actually have an expired Georgia licence and I know that I do not have to resit my test just renew my licence. I was thinking that even with my K1 if I could renew it would probably only be valid for the length of the K1 but what about after marriage?

thanks

Amanda

[Nik+Heather 121]

The laws vary state by state. Many will let you drive on a foreign license for nearly a year. Nik got his here in AZ but it was only as good as his legal status (I94). They said once he got his EAD or green card they would extend it accordingly.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Are you moving back to Georgia? You will need to have a SSN, an immigration document that proves your validity in the US and proof of Georgia residence. I don't know if they will make you re-test or not if you have an expired license. The only major caveat will be that your license will only be for as long as your immigration document is valid. When you enter on a K-1, the K-1 expires right then as it's purpose is for entry, but you are given a new document when you cross the border - that document is the I-94. It will be valid for 90 days. So, if you have a SSN now and can provide proof of residence in Georgia (ie. bank account statements with your name on them mailed to a Georgia address) you could go in and get your license shortly after your arrival. It will expire when the I-94 does, however. If you need to get a SSN be sure to do that about 10 days after your arrival even if that is before you marry (easier to change your name on the SSN card after you get the card than before you get the card) and it might then take another 2 weeks to arrive so that would cut into the time before you got your license. You are allowed to drive on your current foreign DL for 30 days, though, so that should see you through.

Once you are married, file the AOS as soon as you can. Apply for the EAD (Employment Authorization Document) as well. The EAD is generally approved within 90 days which is sooner than the AOS. You can use the EAD to get a DL that is valid for one year - it will expire the same day as the EAD. You can also get a DL with the green card. Depending on how quickly you marry and file for the AOS/EAD you may or may not have some time when your license is expired and you will not be allowed to drive.

As a K-1 you will get a 2 year conditional green card, so the DL will be for the same amount of time - 2 years. After 2 years you will apply to remove conditions and get a 10 year green card. With a 10 year green card your DL will be valid for 3 years maximum. Hope this helps.

Edited November 15, 2009 by Kathryn41

[Otto 83]

Your K-1 will be of little use once you enter the US (it becomes invalid once you use it to enter) - The I-94 you'll get when you enter the US will be your proof of legal presence (your starting 'clock') and it will be valid for 90 days.

Most states (not all and you don't mention which state you'll be living in) require either the EAD or PR/Green Card to issue a DL - as mentioned above, varies by state. I would also believe the same would apply for renewing a DL as well (although I'm not certain I've heard that asked before - seems rather unusual for a K-1 visa entrant to have had a DL previously) Testing requirements would also likely vary by state.

Edited November 15, 2009 by Otto und Karin

[redglasses 1]

Even if you could get a DL, you might have to retake the written and driving tests. I had an expired DL, but had to start over and take both tests because it was expired more than a year.

[Amanda and Tony 0]

Thanks everyone, it is as I thought that it would be vaild for the 90 days.

Otto und Karin - I have a previous DL and SSN because I lived in Georgia for 3 years doing a teacher exchange program.

Although you can drive for up to a year on your british DL, car isurance is a lot cheaper on a state DL.

Redglasses -thanks for the heads up on the retest.