Driving without GreenCard

[Kristal 0]

I have my driver's permit because I have a EAD card, but I now want to go for my driver's license, but I'm wondering if it is a good Idea to driver if i dont't have a greencard as of yet?

[NancyNguyen 1,657]

Local police has no right to ask for your immigration status. To drive is one of most mandatory things to do in the US. Go get your DL.

[ceadsearc 516]

If your state allows you to obtain a license without needing to present a green card, go for it.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

I have my driver's permit because I have a EAD card, but I now want to go for my driver's license, but I'm wondering if it is a good Idea to driver if i dont't have a greencard as of yet?

No, because even if you are able to get one, it would only be valid as long as your EAD card is valid. Thereafter you would have to go to the DMV again and pay for a new license. Wait until you have your Green Card.

[Harsh_77 718]

Local police has no right to ask for your immigration status. To drive is one of most mandatory things to do in the US. Go get your DL.

That is not completely right, now DMV does look at your immigration status before issuing you DL.

Those days are gone when DL were issued for standard period of time for everyone, currently DMV would only issue her DL until validity of her EAD.

She will have to get it renewed when she gets her 2 yr GC and at that time DMV will only issue DL for 2 years.. so forth and so on.

[NancyNguyen 1,657]

That is not completely right, now DMV does look at your immigration status before issuing you DL.

Those days are gone when DL were issued for standard period of time for everyone, currently DMV would only issue her DL until validity of her EAD.

She will have to get it renewed when she gets her 2 yr GC and at that time DMV will only issue DL for 2 years.. so forth and so on.

FYI, she's got EAD. That's good for DMV. She wonders if she should go get a DL, not renewing it.

Edited January 16, 2012 by NancyNguyen

[ceadsearc 516]

No, because even if you are able to get one, it would only be valid as long as your EAD card is valid. Thereafter you would have to go to the DMV again and pay for a new license. Wait until you have your Green Card.

I think it depends on how much she really needs to drive. We didn't wait with my husband because him having a license made a big difference in me not having to drive him everywhere, him being able to drive our daughter places, etc.

Also, in my state there was no additional fee to renew once he got his GC, though I don't think that's true a lot of places.

[Harsh_77 718]

FYI, she's got EAD. That's good for DMV. She wonders if she should go get a DL, not renewing it.

Read first before jumping....

She will get DL valid only until date on her EAD.

I think it depends on how much she really needs to drive. We didn't wait with my husband because him having a license made a big difference in me not having to drive him everywhere, him being able to drive our daughter places, etc.

Also, in my state there was no additional fee to renew once he got his GC, though I don't think that's true a lot of places.

Yes you are right, like TX does charge additional fee, but they only charge fee to replace a lost lic against charging the full fees.

[Kristal 0]

On my driver's permit it says I am a temporary Vistor and it expires on 10/12/12

But on the bottom it says that the permit itself expries in 8/24/2016

I understand that I will have to have the temporart vistor status removed when I obtain a Green card but Im not aware that I will then have to renew my license and pay extra fees? Im in NY State

[NancyNguyen 1,657]

Read first before jumping....

She will get DL valid only until date on her EAD.

Yeah, you said what I am about to say, you jumped way too early. Where did you find she ask about renewal of DL? She asked if she would get the DL right now with her EAD.

OP - yeah DMV gives DL based on your authorized stay, which is your EAD now. Get it now, and renew it later when it is about to expire, assuming you have your GC by then. It costs not much.

[NancyNguyen 1,657]

On my driver's permit it says I am a temporary Vistor and it expires on 10/12/12

But on the bottom it says that the permit itself expries in 8/24/2016

I understand that I will have to have the temporart vistor status removed when I obtain a Green card but Im not aware that I will then have to renew my license and pay extra fees? Im in NY State

Most of states put that on the DL/permit (visitor status for one year, after that you have that state residency, like New York residency.) DL visitor status is different from immigration status. You have renew your DL based on your authorized stay.

[Harsh_77 718]

On my driver's permit it says I am a temporary Vistor and it expires on 10/12/12

But on the bottom it says that the permit itself expries in 8/24/2016

I understand that I will have to have the temporart vistor status removed when I obtain a Green card but Im not aware that I will then have to renew my license and pay extra fees? Im in NY State

Yes you will have to get a new one when you have your 2 yr GC and it seems fees varies from state to state, check with your state for the fees.

Yeah, you said what I am about to say, you jumped way too early. Where did you find she ask about renewal of DL? She asked if she would get the DL right now with her EAD.

OP - yeah DMV gives DL based on your authorized stay, which is your EAD now. Get it now, and renew it later when it is about to expire, assuming you have your GC by then. It costs not much.

Read post #5 renewing will come when her EAD expires as if she goes for DL right now expiration on it would be until he EAD (which normally is not a long period)