Getting a Driving License while on K1 Visa

[David & Kezia 25]

Hi!

I will be moving to Las Vegas before New Year, if the Manila Embassy permits (praying )

One of my major concerns is getting a driving license right away when I get to Nevada, as my fiance is a very busy person and he can't drive me around. I would need it especially for visiting his mother who has cancer and now lives about 10 minutes away by car.

I searched the DMV website for Nevada, but they don't give me enough information, so I'm asking for your experiences and knowledge here. Is it possible for me to go get my driving license right away after I get my SSN? I plan to get my SSN 10 days after my arrival. What is the actual process in getting that driving license (like how many days and how difficult is the exams)?

Some friends advised me to get an international license here in the Phils as they say that it's cheaper than the license there, but I'm not sure if Nevada would accept it, and if it's actually more convenient to do that and just have my Nevada license before the international license expires.

Your thoughts on this please...

:-)

Kezia

[VanessaTony 3,567]

It's unlikely you can get a DL while on a K1 until you get your EAD/GC. If you CAN, usually they're only valid till your I-94 expires. Sometimes they'll get you as far as sitting and passing the tests and THEN tell you you can't get it till EAD/GC.

If possible I would get an International Driving Permit. It's much better in your situation.

[bowgirl 8]

Hi!

I will be moving to Las Vegas before New Year, if the Manila Embassy permits (praying )

One of my major concerns is getting a driving license right away when I get to Nevada, as my fiance is a very busy person and he can't drive me around. I would need it especially for visiting his mother who has cancer and now lives about 10 minutes away by car.

I searched the DMV website for Nevada, but they don't give me enough information, so I'm asking for your experiences and knowledge here. Is it possible for me to go get my driving license right away after I get my SSN? I plan to get my SSN 10 days after my arrival. What is the actual process in getting that driving license (like how many days and how difficult is the exams)?

Some friends advised me to get an international license here in the Phils as they say that it's cheaper than the license there, but I'm not sure if Nevada would accept it, and if it's actually more convenient to do that and just have my Nevada license before the international license expires.

Your thoughts on this please...

:-)

Kezia

I was holding a CR-1 visa and they asked for my SSN and greencard when I applied for a permit. You need to take a written test and when you passed, they will give you a temporary permit to drive until you get the actual card (by mail) in 10 days. Permit to drive allows you to practice/ drive only with a licensed person. But I used to drive alone kapag super lapit lang . BTW, you can download the driver's manual from DMVNV website.

Edited November 19, 2010 by chris@beth

[David & Kezia 25]

I was holding a CR-1 visa and they asked for my SSN and greencard when I applied for a permit. You need to take a written test and when you passed, they will give you a temporary permit to drive until you get the actual card (by mail) in 10 days. Permit to drive allows you to practice/ drive only with a licensed person. But I used to drive alone kapag super lapit lang . BTW, you can download the driver's manual from DMVNV website.

I obviously wouldn't have a greencard yet, as I'll be on a K1 visa.

As for the temporary permit that you can only use with a licensed person, I think you meant a student permit. I can have that for a while, but I need to get the real permit that would allow me to drive alone. I already have the student permit here in the Philippines, and I am confident that by the time that I get there, I can pass the written test and the driving test. I'm also wondering if I can just show them my student permit, as a step towards getting the actual "full" permit. Kahit naman dito sa Pinas, required din na student permit muna bago ka mabigyan ng totoong drivers permit.

[David & Kezia 25]

I think I already got my answers.

I will need to get the temporary permit (instruction permit), pay for $22 for it, then pay the $25 testing fee before I take the written test (although it also covers the initial driving skills test while the vision test is free). After getting the instruction permit, which will be mailed to me within 10 business days, that's the only time I can take the driving skills test. Retests are at $10, which I hopefully wouldn't have to do.

I hope that I am allowed to schedule and get the driving skills test after that, and get my full license afterwards (within 10 days again) with a $3 fee. I wonder if I can actually schedule the skills test even before I get the actual instruction permit before I get it in the mail, so that I can get my full license in 10-15 days...

Some actual experience and feedback on this will shed more light though, as we all know that things posted in their websites doesn't necessarily mean that those things are what happens in reality.

:-)

Kezia

[Ban Hammer 13,634]

It's unlikely you can get a DL while on a K1 until you get your EAD/GC. If you CAN, usually they're only valid till your I-94 expires. Sometimes they'll get you as far as sitting and passing the tests and THEN tell you you can't get it till EAD/GC.

If possible I would get an International Driving Permit. It's much better in your situation.

kansas is one that does give a dl on k-1 prior to ead/gc.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I think I already got my answers.

I will need to get the temporary permit (instruction permit), pay for $22 for it, then pay the $25 testing fee before I take the written test (although it also covers the initial driving skills test while the vision test is free). After getting the instruction permit, which will be mailed to me within 10 business days, that's the only time I can take the driving skills test. Retests are at $10, which I hopefully wouldn't have to do.

I hope that I am allowed to schedule and get the driving skills test after that, and get my full license afterwards (within 10 days again) with a $3 fee. I wonder if I can actually schedule the skills test even before I get the actual instruction permit before I get it in the mail, so that I can get my full license in 10-15 days...

Some actual experience and feedback on this will shed more light though, as we all know that things posted in their websites doesn't necessarily mean that those things are what happens in reality.

Like I said, it's likely that that's the process but it's likely that they won't let you get a licence or if they do it will only be valid for a small amount of time.

Have your fiance ask about it (unless you can also call) and make sure he mentions the K1 visa.

Hopefully you're like Kansas where it's not a problem but many people thought it was the case and got annoyed when it wasn't.. which is why I recommend getting the IDP if you're desperate to be driving.

[Filipinawife0210 15]

Just a word of advice. Use the Decatur Rd. DMV office. The lines move pretty fast, and the people there are nicer than the other offices in town.

http://www.dmvnv.com/dlresidency.htm#Non

Call of e-mail the DMV before you apply. It actually says on there that you DON'T need a SSN to get a license.

Edited November 19, 2010 by Filipinawife0210

[David & Kezia 25]

Thanks for all the feedback.

I'll give them a call on Monday, after my embassy interview, just to make sure if they accept K1s. :-)

I'll also take note of that Decateur office.

7170 N. Decatur Blvd.

Las Vegas, NV 89131-2798 (702) 486-4368 8a-4p Sat.

(702) 486-5976 8a-5p M-F