Any K1/AOS people applied for California Driver's licence this year or recently?

[Athena13 10]

HI guys

I was replying to a 3 year old thread yesterday about the 'warning to newlyweds in CA'. I think i couldn't find any recent ones, so i started this thread.

The reason i'm asking is, on the CA DMV website, the requirement is very vague about the documents, as K1 doing AOS, we don't know if we are a resident or not. It seems on other states' DMV they are more clear.

and also yesterday I read somewhere, there is no such thing as 'an international driver's license' in CA. Which is also contrary to what my friend said (who came to Pasadena CA 9 years ago, not on K1, not married, maybe a visitor or student visa), she said I should get a international license first, and drive until i absolutely have to change to a CA license. The international license has lower penaltyresponsibility or something if I got involved in an accident.

So if you came to California as a K1, in the process of doing AOS, please share what you did before you got your GC or EAD. Thank you~

[Boiler 45,513]

An International Drivers Permit would not be relevant as I presume your license is in English anyway.

You are resident in the State of California, I am sure the DMV web site does say exactly how long you can drive on your Australian license and what documents you need to show to get a CA one.

Edited July 10, 2012 by Boiler

[rocks 494]

I just googled the California DMV and found this.

Birth date verification and legal presence requirements

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

Permanent Resident Card

Temporary Resident Identification Card

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

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.

If you apply for a license using your I-94 the license will expire when the I-94 expires.

[Athena13 10]

wow you are good! I didn't find that. Thank you~

OK I got I-94, then don't wanna apply using that. I'm gonna get the I-797 soon (first notice), maybe they are after the 2nd one. i'm not in a hurry to drive, but just for emergency purposes.

[rocks 494]

wow you are good! I didn't find that. Thank you~

OK I got I-94, then don't wanna apply using that. I'm gonna get the I-797 soon (first notice), maybe they are after the 2nd one. i'm not in a hurry to drive, but just for emergency purposes.

Remember the I-797 needs to be for an approved petition. I had to wait for my GC to be approved before I could get a learners permit.

[aaron-christine 8]

Please say it isnt so!?! I passed my written test but they wouldnt give me my learners permit since my I94 was 60 days from expiration date (they have a 60 day rule- bad luck I didnt go in a day earlier!). Now I was hoping that with EAD and a social security card I would be able to get it?But no? Then how are we supposed to find work? ugh!