Texas Learner's Permit

[dan.and.audrey 2]

Hello! I called the Texas DPS office in Austin to ask if I could already take the driver's learner's permit test. I told the woman on the phone that I'm on a K-1 visa and she asked me when will my visa expire. I told her my I-94 will expire next week but my visa will expire in April. I also told her that I already got married and sent in my application for the AOS. She then told me that I can't take the test until I get my EAD, etc...

Now, I was looking around this forum and found the Immigration Status Chart. It's stated there (on page 9) that for a K-1 visa, all you need are the following:

♦ Social Security Card or SSN Affidavit,

♦ Passport,

♦ Visa,

♦ I-94,

♦ Marriage Certificate showing proof of marriage to U.S. Citizen, and

♦ Proof of Citizenship of spouse

My questions are: Can't I just show them those documents instead? Why do I need to wait for my AOS and EAD in order to take a learner's permit test? I mean, it's not yet a LICENSE, just a PERMIT TO LEARN how to drive. Somebody please enlighten me on this. Thank you in advance!

Edited February 12, 2010 by dan.and.audrey

[Darnell 8,478]

Texas is harsh on documents.

Suggest you go INTO a DMV, apply for the learner's permit, and bring all yer stuff, pay yer monies.

You might have luck, you might not - it all depends ..

GoGoGadget TexasDMV !

[payxibka 10,045]

Hello! I called the Texas DPS office in Austin to ask if I could already take the driver's learner's permit test. I told the woman on the phone that I'm on a K-1 visa and she asked me when will my visa expire. I told her my I-94 will expire next week but my visa will expire in April. I also told her that I already got married and sent in my application for the AOS. She then told me that I can't take the test until I get my EAD, etc...

Now, I was looking around this forum and found the Immigration Status Chart. It's stated there (on page 9) that for a K-1 visa, all you need are the following:

♦ Social Security Card or SSN Affidavit,

♦ Passport,

♦ Visa,

♦ I-94,

♦ Marriage Certificate showing proof of marriage to U.S. Citizen, and

♦ Proof of Citizenship of spouse

My questions are: Can't I just show them those documents instead? Why do I need to wait for my AOS and EAD in order to take a learner's permit test? I mean, it's not yet a LICENSE, just a PERMIT TO LEARN how to drive. Somebody please enlighten me on this. Thank you in advance!

it is because you need to provide an immigration document that shows your legal presence in the USA.... Your I-94 is the document that you currently possess that shows your authorized presence but it expires in a week. (Visa expiration date is meaningless) Until you come up with an alternative you are in limbo.

FWIW This is the result of the REAL ID act. It is fairly consistent (but not always exactly) from state to state nowadays.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Texas requirements changed 10-01-08. You can't get a driver's license or learner's permit in Texas without at least 6 months legal status remaining in the US. Been there, done that, emailed Austin. It won't happen until you have something showing longer that 6 months in the US. A K1 only gets 90 days. So you will have to wait on the EAD which shows 1 year of status. Your license/permit will expire on the date of your EAD. You can go back with your green card (and pay again) to get a regular 6 year license.

This document says a K1 is eligible by showing the I-94. However they fail to address the fact that a K1, by nature of the visa, only gets 90 days on the I-94 which doesn't meet their requirements.

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administratio...StatusChart.pdf

You might be interested in this:

Out-of-Country Driver License

1) How long can I drive with an out-of-country driver license?

Generally, a person 18 to 75 years of age with a valid out-of-country driver license in their possession may drive a private, non-commercial motor vehicle in the State of Texas for up to one year from date of entry into the United States, if their home country has reciprocity with the U.S.

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administratio...s_dl_id.htm#q51

[dan.and.audrey 2]

Thank you, guys! I understand now, though I'm still disappointed that I can't learn how to drive yet. Looks like my husband would just have to be patient driving me around...

Edited February 13, 2010 by dan.and.audrey

[Otto 83]

Thank you, guys! I understand now, though I'm still disappointed that I can't learn how to drive yet. Looks like my husband would just have to be patient driving me around...

Doesn't mean you can't study and/or practice on private property while you wait for your documents to get processed.

[dan.and.audrey 2]

Doesn't mean you can't study and/or practice on private property while you wait for your documents to get processed.

Well, my husband's teaching me how to drive inside our apartment complex and I'm studying the driver's manual. But I still would've liked it if I can drive OUTSIDE with my learner's permit...

Edited February 15, 2010 by dan.and.audrey