Wouldn't allow me to get a Driver's License :(

[fordchev 1]

I couldn't just hand in my Canadian drivers licence I had to prove I was here legally and that was back in 2003 in colorado...I would imagine thinks are stricter now. I drove with my Canadian drivers licence until i got my green card. As long as you have a valid Canadian drivers licence you are legal to drive

[Inky 1,110]

I couldn't just hand in my Canadian drivers licence I had to prove I was here legally and that was back in 2003 in colorado...I would imagine thinks are stricter now. I drove with my Canadian drivers licence until i got my green card. As long as you have a valid Canadian drivers licence you are legal to drive

I showed them my Canadian license they had me take a test of 5 mins and handed me my state temp license right away same day. My card arrived in the mail in 4 days. This was in 2009.

[KayMar 4]

My husband got his license using his EAD/AP combo card. They set the expiration date of the license for the same date as his combo card at the time and offered to extend it to the full 6 years free of charge once my hubby came back and showed his GC. The DMV in my state wouldn't allow him to get his driver's permit when his I94 had less than 60 days on it because the driving permit is 60 days and they try not to give you anything that has a privledge date past your immigration document's expiration date.

[missicy 87]

"Birth date verification and legal presence requirements

The issue of identification reliability, integrity, and confidentiality is of prime concern to all citizens. Eligibility for government services, issuance of various licenses, assessment of taxes, the right to vote, etc., are all determined through evaluations based on identification documents. It is critical that identification documents be authenticated and accurate in identifying each individual. The California driver license and ID card have been declared as primary identification documents in this state by the California legislature.

State law requires every applicant for an original California identification (ID) card and driver license to show verification of birth date and proof of legal presence within the United States to help safeguard the accuracy and integrity of departmental documents.

If your current name no longer matches the name on your birth date/legal presence document, see "True Full Name" and "How to Change Your Name" for more information.

Only the original or a certified copy of one of the following documents is acceptable:

US Birth Certificate (certified copy from state or local vital statistics office)

US Certificate of Birth Abroad or Report of Birth Abroad

Federal Proof of Indian Blood Degree

USCIS American Indian Card

Birth Certificate or passport issued from a US Territory

US Passport or US Passport Card

US Military Identification Cards (Active or reserve duty, dependent of a military member, retired member, discharged from service, medical/religious personnel)

Common Access Card (only if designated as Active military or Active Reserve or Active Selected Reserve)

Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship

Northern Mariana Card

USCIS US Citizen ID Card

Permanent Resident Card

Temporary Resident Identification Card

Canadian Passport/Birth Certificate

Non-resident Alien Canadian Border Crossing Card

Valid foreign passport with a valid Record of Arrival/Departure (form I-94)

"Processed for I-551" stamped in a valid foreign passport

Permanent Resident Re-entry Permit

Refugee travel document

Certified court order or judgment issued from a court of competent jurisdiction. Must contain name, birth date, place of birth, legal presence status, and judge’s signature.

Certification from California Department of Corrections or California Youth Authority

Employment Authorization Card

Valid I-94 stamped "Refugee," "Parole or Parolee," "Asylee," or Section 207, Section 208, Section 209, Section 212d(2), HP or PIP

Valid I-94 with attached photo stamped "Processed for I-551 temporary evidence of lawful admission for permanent residence"

Notice of Action (I-797 Approved Petition) – must indicate approved extension of stay or change in status that grants temporary or permanent residency, or indicates that an original, duplicate or renewal Resident Alien card is forthcoming.

Immigration judge’s order granting asylum

Mexican Border Crossing Card with valid I-94

U.S. Border Crossing Identification card with valid I-94"

On the DMV website it lists that a Canadian passport is acceptable....as well as my NOA. So could I just print that off their website and show them?

Canadian passport/Birth Certificate is not proof of legal presence, it only serves as verification of birth date.

As for I-797 or NOA that you have, that is not Notice of approved petition, it only proves that your application was accepted, NOT approved.

You need EAD or GC.

I tried to get DL in Cali myself and even though I have my GC, they wouldn't even let me take a written test. My GC is in my married name but my SSN is still in maiden name because SSA hasn't updated the change yet. So when you go apply for DL next time, make sure that name on your SSN matches your EAD or GC, also

[hikergirl 277]

Well I already have my SSN, they allowed me to get that a few weeks after getting married. I don't really want to give up my CA one though, so I will just wait.

I would double check with ICBC to see if your BC driver's licence is still valid if you are residing in CA. I know when I moved to BC, I had to prove I was a BC resident to get my licence and then when I was posted back to AB, I only had 90 days to exchange my BC licence for my AB licence and had to show proof I was once again an AB resident.

[bigdog 376]

AZ offered a DL on I797 and expiration date same as the document. I thought CA was liberal.

[KdRjN 2]

Well I already have my SSN, they allowed me to get that a few weeks after getting married. I don't really want to give up my CA one though, so I will just wait.

All you need is SSN card passport and proof the date of ur birtday

and few letters for provide ur resident adress that under your name

there is no reason not to get the DL

good luck

[Sandra&Matt 1]

Each state has its own rules. Some are stricter than others. I'm having some issues in Texas and have to wait until I have my gc. I'm getting married next week so will file by early Oct. Anyway, out of state licenses are only valid here for 3 months so I've been on the phone trying to figure it out. I was finally told that I can use my Canadian license for a year. Maybe the same is true in other states.

[missicy 87]

All you need is SSN card passport and proof the date of ur birtday

and few letters for provide ur resident adress that under your name

there is no reason not to get the DL

good luck

Requirements are different in each state. California DMV requires proof of legal status which is unexpired I-94, EAD or GC. No letters to show resident address are needed in CA.

[newlyweds2010 208]

you have to wait at least until you get the EAD.

[emscott 0]

do what obamas uncle did get in car and drive..haha

[CBM 14]

Hey Alina;

I just went to the DMV in Southern CA yesterday to get my license. You're right in that you will have to wait to get your EAD because they require proof of legal presence. Also, I think someone mentioned it above, but make 100% sure that your name is changed to your married name at the Social Security office before going to the DMV, because if your name at the SS office is still your maiden name, you won't even be allowed to write the test or get any sort of license or ID.

So, just bring your EAD and your SSN (you don't need the actual card, just the number) and ensure your name is changed at SS.

Additionally, you won't have to surrender your Canadian license. You will get a temporary license, as you know, and if that expires before you get your EAD (it may, it expires 2 months after getting it), you will have to re-write the test, then do your actual driving test. As you may know, you won't get a learners permit or anything, just the temporary license. You have the same driving privledges as a full license, just that it's temporary. My insurance said I do not have to drive with a licensed person in the car; I can drive on my own.

Also, someone else mentioned above, you will need to bring proof of insurance and registration to your driving test

Hope this helps!