Getting a Georgia Driver's License after filing for AOS for K1

[MelandDavid 0]

Hello VJ'ers. I am asking for your help, once again. My husband went to Georgia DMV this morning with all proof of resident paperwork, SS card, his EAD, our NOA1 from filing the I-485 (filed last November and still no GC!), etc. etc. Lady behind the counter stated that he can not get a driver's license since is I-94 is expired and told him to get an extension of the I-94. Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't believe you can get an extension on an I-94 when you enter on a K1 visa. He explained this to the woman but she stated that there is no other way to be granted a license at this point without the valid I-94. Ridiculousness! How is he suppposed to go out and get a job without a valid driver's license! He does still have a valid license from England but not sure if he can still drive here legally with that license until the GC arrives? Anyone's advice would really, really be appreciated!!

[Boiler 45,538]

Go to a different office with a print out of the ID requirements.

[Sirdaniel42 86]

I am in California and had the same problem, I had to wait until my Green card was approved.

I used my Dutch licence but with all the info I found I felt the whole thing was in a grey area, DMV says it is ok but the Police Dep says you live here so you need a California licence.

[DaveE 178]

Georgia would not issue my wife a drivers license until she had her green card in hand. We went to three different DMV locations and were told the same thing at every one.

Also, they make the license expire on the same day as the conditional green card.

Edited July 21, 2012 by DaveE

[A&M RD 0]

Georgia would not issue my wife a drivers license until she had her green card in hand. We went to three different DMV locations and were told the same thing at every one.

Also, they make the license expire on the same day as the conditional green card.

Ask to spek to a supervisor. EAD card should be enough with the other docs. Go to a different DMV and if the say the same tell them you want to speak to a supervisor.

Good luck!!

[DaveE 178]

Ask to spek to a supervisor. EAD card should be enough with the other docs. Go to a different DMV and if the say the same tell them you want to speak to a supervisor.

Good luck!!

We went to three DMV's and spoke to multiple supervisors. They finally got Atlanta on the phone and the supervisor in Atlanta told us the same thing. Anyway she has had her license for a year now.

[MelandDavid 0]

Well this is discouraging to say the least! We have been waiting since November for the GC, a useless transfer to CSC then a ridiculous RFE, now another case transfer which probably means an interview who knows when. We are just so frustrated and absolutely sick of being in limbo. This bit of news doesn't help! Thank you all for chiming in. I really appreciate the help I have found on this forum! Does anyone know if he can drive legally in Georgia on his foreign license since it is impossible to get one in the year it takes to get a GC these days?

Edited July 21, 2012 by MelandDavid

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Well this is discouraging to say the least! We have been waiting since November for the GC, a useless transfer to CSC then a ridiculous RFE, now another case transfer which probably means an interview who knows when. We are just so frustrated and absolutely sick of being in limbo. This bit of news doesn't help! Thank you all for chiming in. I really appreciate the help I have found on this forum! Does anyone know if he can drive legally in Georgia on his foreign license since it is impossible to get one in the year it takes to get a GC these days?

Look at this page from the Georgia DMV http://www.dds.ga.gov/drivers/DLdata.aspx?con=1741471757&ty=dl It lists documents that show legal presence.

I-766 in the list, is the document number for the EAD card. Maybe you need to print the page and show them their list.

Kudos to VJer LeftCoastLady who prepared a spreadsheet to find state service websites for all 50 states. It can be found pinned at the top of the Moving Here and Your New Life in America Forum.

Edited July 21, 2012 by Nich-Nick

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Look at this page from the Georgia DMV http://www.dds.ga.gov/drivers/DLdata.aspx?con=1741471757&ty=dl It lists documents that show legal presence.

I-766 in the list, is the document number for the EAD card. Maybe you need to print the page and show them their list.

Kudos to VJer LeftCoastLady who prepared a spreadsheet to find state service websites for all 50 states. It can be found pinned at the top of the Moving Here and Your New Life in America Forum.

Agreed. The card number "I-766" is written on the EAD in the box on the back that says "this is not proof of legal status" or words to that effect. Take them the print out from their site, and of course your other documents (EAD and SSN) and you should be fine.

Edited July 22, 2012 by Vanessa&Tony

[mugumogu 18]

Hello VJ'ers. I am asking for your help, once again. My husband went to Georgia DMV this morning with all proof of resident paperwork, SS card, his EAD, our NOA1 from filing the I-485 (filed last November and still no GC!), etc. etc. Lady behind the counter stated that he can not get a driver's license since is I-94 is expired and told him to get an extension of the I-94. Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't believe you can get an extension on an I-94 when you enter on a K1 visa. He explained this to the woman but she stated that there is no other way to be granted a license at this point without the valid I-94. Ridiculousness! How is he suppposed to go out and get a job without a valid driver's license! He does still have a valid license from England but not sure if he can still drive here legally with that license until the GC arrives? Anyone's advice would really, really be appreciated!!

Unfortunately, that's how it works. There is a small period of time when you can get a license on a K-1 visa, but it has to be one of the first things that you do because once the I-94 gets within like 45 days of expiring, they will not let you get one. That's how it works here in CA too. There's no use in calling another office or attempting to speak with supervisors because that's the law. As long as his license from England is valid and not expired, he can legally drive here for up to a year on that license. As it says on the Georgia DMV website:

"Georgia recognizes valid driver licenses issued to and held by residents of other countries as long as the "Out Of Country" license is valid (not expired). Generally, you may drive in Georgia for up to one year on a valid foreign or International license."