Getting driver license in the US

[GJen 9]

Hello everyone

I live in the State of Georgia... I have wanted to apply for a driving license, but they request you to have a valid ID and since I am in the AOS process, I just had my passport and my expired I-94... I was told I had to wait to get my greencard... I recently found out that my Employment authorization card was approved and its gonna be mail to me pretty soon.. I was wondering .. do you think I can apply for my driver license with my employment Autorizathion card? or do I really have to wait for my greencard in order to do so? .. Thanks for your input

[canadian_wife 1,829]

IN GA you actually have to wait for your green card

sorry, this state does make it difficult for immigrants. You can always call however and verify

Good luck

[Hiker 9]

They won't accept your passport?

[GJen 9]

They dont... they have to verify my legal presence in the country and since my I-94 has expired I guess I need to wait for my greencard.. but I thought maybe I could apply with my employment authorization card ....

They won't accept your passport?

[GJen 9]

HEY I was checking identification Requirements to apply for a Learner's permit and it says for identification a valid passport is fine and to prove lawful residence in the USA I can use an Employment authorization card.. look

Citizenship or Lawful Presence in the U.S.

• Non US Citizens must meet one of the following requirements:
  • Valid (not expired) Foreign passport with I-94 card or stamp or I-551 stamp
  • Permanent resident alien card (I-551)
  • Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
  • Reentry Permit (I-327)
  • For Refugees/Asylees: I-94 only (no passport required), or Refugee Travel Document (I-571)
  • For F-1, F-2, J-1, J-2 status – I-94 with valid foreign passport AND I-20 (F-1/F-2) or DS-2019 (J-1/J-2).
  • For customers from Visa I-94 waiver countries: Valid foreign passport with Visa I-94 Waiver stamp
    Note: Non US Citizens must present original immigration documentation for each service or transaction conducted with the Department Of Driver Services.

Thats good.. isnt it? so Ill be fine applying for one with my Employment Authrorization card

http://www.dds.ga.gov/drivers/DLdata.aspx?con=1741541737&ty=dl

[canadian_wife 1,829]

You can always try, it wasn't enough when I went with mine.

Good luck

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

If you get lucky, you will get a driver license that's valid as long as your EAD card is valid. If not, I guess you will have to drive with your current license, the one that matches your passport.

[Harsh_77 718]

IN GA you actually have to wait for your green card

sorry, this state does make it difficult for immigrants. You can always call however and verify

Good luck

Its not just GA, but now most states want to see you have entered US legally and your immigration status.

In my case in I already had my DL even before we got married and I had moved back to my home country. We got married did the CR1 and then came back to US so I had my passport stamped and did not have my GC yet.

I needed to change address on my DL so I take my old DL and my passport for the change in address and the DMV folks did not even know what is CR1 and they had to call few ppl to find out what Cr1 was and then they gave me a new DL for just a year and on top it says Temp Visitor………. When I saw that I had a good laugh.

[GJen 9]

Well it kind of makes me angry, because if you cant apply for a DL or a learners permit with your EAD ... why is it listed in the requirements and it says you have to meet ONE of the requirements listed to show lawful presence in the US! :S... they should just update everything so we dont go bug them! ... What I think I will do is to bring my passport and EAD and print out where it says on the website that I can apply just with my EAD!.. and even on the sheet they gave me when I went to the Department of driver services here in Georgia, it says I can use my Employment Authorization Card...

One question though.. how long do they give you the EAD for? is it the same length of time as the Greencard? or just a couple of months?

[mari&Ryan 93]

One question though.. how long do they give you the EAD for? is it the same length of time as the Greencard? or just a couple of months?

EAD is valid for one year.

[the governor 0]

I had a lot of trouble with this when I was getting driver's license (although it wasn't GA). I even called immigration about it, but all they could say was that I should be able to get it. The people working at the bureau don't always know the rules, so it may take some arguing, seeing the supervisor, or just waiting till it is less hassle.

Edited April 13, 2011 by the governor

[GJen 9]

so yesterday i went to take my test and i had no problem at all... the guy asked for ID and i gave him my EAD and then i took the test and i passed Today was my first time driving in the US woooohooooo

IN GA you actually have to wait for your green card

sorry, this state does make it difficult for immigrants. You can always call however and verify

Good luck

[canadian_wife 1,829]

Congrats

How long is your licence good for?

Good luck

[GJen 9]

They said it will be valid for a year since thats the expiration date on my EAD... I think my EAD expires May 2012!.. but they said that once I get my greencard I can come back before it expires and renew it...

Congrats

How long is your licence good for?

Good luck