Getting new license with expired green card

[Jammin 0]

We just moved to a new state and my husband needs to exchange his old driver's license for a new one. However, the ID requirements for pr's state "unexpired green card." We have his recently expired green card plus the NOA for the I-751 granting the 1 year extension.

Does anyone know whether or not this will be accepted at the DMV?

Technically according to state law, we need to get him the new license within 30 days of moving and of course he won't get his 10 year green card for several months still.

[Joanna&Bobby 3]

I was just at the DMV last night.

Your husband has to bring the green card and the NOA1- extenstion letter. You are good to go!

They only issued me a license for 1 year- then I can come back to the DMV with the 10 y green card to get another.

We also just moved from another state...

Good Luck!

Edited January 21, 2011 by Joanna&Bobby

[Jammin 0]

Wow! Thank you very much for this valuable info.!!

[JeroenAndMichelle 28]

A little bit off topic, but just wondering..

They only issued me a license for 1 year- then I can come back to the DMV with the 10 y green card to get another.

Shouldn't they give you a 2 year driver license with the 2 year GC instead in that case? I mean, not that I have received a 2 year license, mine is valid until my birthday in 2016 (received the license in 2008 or 2009 (not sure exactly lol)), so I have a few more years lol but just wondering why they did give a 1 year license in this case but no 2 year license with a 2 year card...

[Jojo92122 1,924]

A little bit off topic, but just wondering..

Shouldn't they give you a 2 year driver license with the 2 year GC instead in that case? I mean, not that I have received a 2 year license, mine is valid until my birthday in 2016 (received the license in 2008 or 2009 (not sure exactly lol)), so I have a few more years lol but just wondering why they did give a 1 year license in this case but no 2 year license with a 2 year card...

Driver licenses are issued by individual states. Each state has its own rule. Don't expect the driver license rules for California to be the same for another state.

[Jammin 0]

J&M--I found that odd too. We were also given a 10 year license with the 2 yr green card. I think it must be due to the weirdness of submitting the 1-year extension NOA. They probably pay more attention to the details in these cases, and I bet technically should only issue the 1 year license because there's no guarantee that anyone's I-751 will be approved.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

The NOA1 unexpires the expiration of the expired card. Thus, it's not really an expired card anymore.

[JeroenAndMichelle 28]

Driver licenses are issued by individual states. Each state has its own rule. Don't expect the driver license rules for California to be the same for another state.

I know they have their own rules, but I figured there was at least some common ground regarding the driver licenses... but I guess not (see below)

J&M--I found that odd too. We were also given a 10 year license with the 2 yr green card. I think it must be due to the weirdness of submitting the 1-year extension NOA. They probably pay more attention to the details in these cases, and I bet technically should only issue the 1 year license because there's no guarantee that anyone's I-751 will be approved.

Yeah that's exactly what I thought as well but..

this info I just found on a DMV site (the non-official dmv.org) for D.C. (which is where their local office is):

If you're a U.S. citizen, your driver's license is valid for eight years. But if you're a non-citizen, your license's expiration date is contingent upon the expiration date for your immigration documents.

Kinda odd imho but oh well =)

[Joanna&Bobby 3]

A little bit off topic, but just wondering..

Shouldn't they give you a 2 year driver license with the 2 year GC instead in that case? I mean, not that I have received a 2 year license, mine is valid until my birthday in 2016 (received the license in 2008 or 2009 (not sure exactly lol)), so I have a few more years lol but just wondering why they did give a 1 year license in this case but no 2 year license with a 2 year card...

It all varies by state...That is what they told me.

[Joanna&Bobby 3]

Just wanted to add to my last reply. My new license expires exactlty a year from the expiration date on my green card- becaus the NOA letter says "your status has been extended for a year"... This is what DMV goes by. I live in NEVADA. This was actually the second time I had to g oto the DMV in 2 months... I had 30 days since moving to NEVADA to switch my PA license to a NV license. This was in November. My GC expiration date was JAN 21 2011. They issued a license with a Jan 21 2011 expiration date, and told me to come back when I receive the NOA letter from USCIS. Then they will issue a 1 year license. This is exactly what they do... A little pain in the butt for an imigrant to have to go to the DMV as many times as I have already been there, plus the $22 they charged me twice in the last 2 months... But oh well... You can't change what you can't change.

Edited January 23, 2011 by Joanna&Bobby

[Okalian 41]

The problem is that many of the DMV clerks are ignorant when it comes to immigration. SO incase (s)he gives you a hard time accepting the extension letter in lieu of the expired plastic card, ask him/her to see the supervisor.

[Jammin 0]

Thanks for all of the wonderful responses--I really appreciate the time everyone here takes to help complete strangers!!

Edited January 24, 2011 by Jammin