State ID?

[Laure&Colin 558]

Quick and simple question: what's a state ID for? Is it necessary to get one when you move to the US? Can LPRs get one?

[PAPUNMANMU 4]

It's a GOVERNMENT ID it's very important to get one. Everywhere you will go if one is trying to apply for a bank account or SSN or traveling they will always ask for a Government ID. Yes an LPN is authorized to get one it proves that they are legal to be here and don't have to walk around with their passports and GC everywhere.

Edited February 2, 2012 by PAPUNMANMU

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

I was just explaining all the intricacies of IDs to my husband the other day. We do not have any sort of national ID system, or national identification number in the US (SSN is NOT a national ID number). The main type of IDs available for citizens are passports, issued by the federal government, or state IDs issued by states. Most people get a Driver License from their state, which serves as an ID and also a license. It is possible to get a non-license state ID, but it is usually redundant or unnecessary. You will have a Greencard which serves as a government identification. If you want, you can get a state ID or a Driving License as a LPR; it is available but not required (if you want to drive you need a DL obviously). Hope that helps!

Edit for above: A state ID does not give legal status or prove that you have it. They are trying to change it but many illegals get state IDs, or have in the past. It's just the most common, easily available type of ID there is. A LPR must carry their GC with them by law.

Edited February 2, 2012 by Harpa Timsah

[Lainie B 465]

It's an alternative form of government-issued ID to a drivers license. If you have a US state drivers license you don't need a state ID. But if you don't want to get a drivers license, then you can get a state ID which you can use for ID purposes (just not for driving!). It usually has the same documentation requirements as a drivers license.

PS Harpa Timsah beat me to it!

Edited February 2, 2012 by Lainie B

[Laure&Colin 558]

Thanks for your answers!

Well, I'm planning to get a driver's license so I guess the ID will be pointless.

I just checked the California DMV website and it said that even if you have a valid foreign driver's license, you need to take the driving test...

Is it hard?? In France the driving test is really difficult and most people don't pass on their first try. I had to try mine 3 times and the idea of getting back into driving test failures makes me sick!

[Lainie B 465]

I don't know how hard it will be in CA, I got mine a long time ago in a different state. I do remember I found the written test harder than the driving test, but I was living in a small town. Hopefully someone in CA can help you with that.

You will have a certain amount of time once you arrive when you can legally use your foreign license, it varies by state, so that will give you time to get used to some of the driving laws here.

[eric_and_teresa 10]

Like others said if you are applying for drivers license you don't really need a state ID.

I have had DL for more than 15 years in my country when I moved to the US and yeah, you pretty much need to start from zero again. I thought the written test was pretty easy but I did read through the manual they gave me at the DMV Office. The driving test was very short and since I live in a small city, they just practically just took me around the block and back to the DMV.

I'd suggest you check the California's DMV website or request the manual at the DMV office, it will pretty much tell you what they expect from you during the driving test. And you may also want to read it before the written test.

Edited February 2, 2012 by eric_and_teresa

[Laure&Colin 558]

Oh I'm not afraid of the written test at all!

When he moved back to the US my husband had to renew his license, so he prepared the test before leaving, doing the online sample tests. It was very, very easy compared to the written test in France, and he even told me later that most of the questions in the actual test were part of the pool of sample Qs we had gone through online!

I've had my license in my country for more than 10 years, however I know that if I had to take the driving test again, I'd probably fail... they just try to trick you any way they can here.

I hope it's not like that in CA!

[jjbandero 39]

I live in California and the driving test I was given was pretty basic. We drove around on some major roads (no freeways) with traffic lights and some smaller ones with stop signs, I didn't have to do any kind of hill start and we only did half a parallel parking job. The tester asked me about my driving history, but I don't know for sure if that played into how he tested me or not. A couple of the "hints" I received were: come to a full stop at a stop sign and make it obvious that you're looking around, and also when you're merging and checking your blind spot. The tester may be writing down something and may not be fully watching what you're doing, so if they miss it they will mark it against you.

Best of luck

[Laure&Colin 558]

I live in California and the driving test I was given was pretty basic. We drove around on some major roads (no freeways) with traffic lights and some smaller ones with stop signs, I didn't have to do any kind of hill start and we only did half a parallel parking job. The tester asked me about my driving history, but I don't know for sure if that played into how he tested me or not. A couple of the "hints" I received were: come to a full stop at a stop sign and make it obvious that you're looking around, and also when you're merging and checking your blind spot. The tester may be writing down something and may not be fully watching what you're doing, so if they miss it they will mark it against you.

Best of luck

Thanks for sharing your experience! It doesn't sound hard at all.

I have no problem with hill starts cause I live on a hill, and with an automatic car there isn't much to do anyway

Mastering gear changes was a painful part of my training here, but now I've learnt to like my gear stick.

[didopage 337]

Thanks for your answers!

Well, I'm planning to get a driver's license so I guess the ID will be pointless.

I just checked the California DMV website and it said that even if you have a valid foreign driver's license, you need to take the driving test...

Is it hard?? In France the driving test is really difficult and most people don't pass on their first try. I had to try mine 3 times and the idea of getting back into driving test failures makes me sick!

Laure, I can talk to you about that. I passed my CA driving test last year. It's A LOT more easier that in France, you will be amazed!!! And so cheap! You just need to study a little (free) book for, let's say, few days, then you have a written exam (very easy, I had 100% all good), and after that, you need to schedule an appointment for the driving test. I did a lot of mistakes, but apparently enough to pass my exam! I was surprised when the inspector told me that I will receive my card in a few weeks.. I told him in France it's a lot more difficult, he replied "well, here, we believe that nobody's perfect"

End of the story, I never received my DL ID because I was on a temporary visa (J-1) and Immigration services sent me a letter like, 5 months later, saying they could not verify my legal presence in the US (??), and to mail me some proof of it. I did, but never received anything!

I guess I will have to do all again, because the test is only valid for a year (it will be in April, arrggg).

[Laure&Colin 558]

Laure, I can talk to you about that. I passed my CA driving test last year. It's A LOT more easier that in France, you will be amazed!!! And so cheap! You just need to study a little (free) book for, let's say, few days, then you have a written exam (very easy, I had 100% all good), and after that, you need to schedule an appointment for the driving test. I did a lot of mistakes, but apparently enough to pass my exam! I was surprised when the inspector told me that I will receive my card in a few weeks.. I told him in France it's a lot more difficult, he replied "well, here, we believe that nobody's perfect"

End of the story, I never received my DL ID because I was on a temporary visa (J-1) and Immigration services sent me a letter like, 5 months later, saying they could not verify my legal presence in the US (??), and to mail me some proof of it. I did, but never received anything!

I guess I will have to do all again, because the test is only valid for a year (it will be in April, arrggg).

Merciiiiiiii!

Yeah it sounds a lot different from what we have to go through in France :lol:

You might not need to take the driving test again if you succeeded last time, maybe just the written test.