Can my fiance get a US driver's license after marriage?

[canada_socks 97]

I woud ask at the office. In MD I had to wait until I had my Green Card.

[menina 50]

California specific question: My fiance doesn't really have much driving experience, nor does she have a license from her home country in the Philippines. Would she need to take the written test, get a learner's permit, and take the driving test to get her license? How do they determine that?

It's been 25 years since I last had anything to do with this sort of thing lol (for myself).

She will definitely need the written test and the driving test. The written test is offered in various languages if needed. If she has little experience driving, I would recommend driving lessons with a private company. If she has never had a DL before, she will need a permit. You can check the DMV website here:

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.htm.

Edited July 13, 2013 by menina

[bigdog 376]

You will need valid ID, social and your EAD as I recall, if you just arrived have a social and current non expired I94 you might get lucky and can get a state id or learners permit.. Read the CA requirements as they have an enhanced DL which follows Federal Guide Lines. You will need a social security card. After reading go visit and try to get the information direct from an DMV officer, the worst you can do is apply and get refused till you have the current documents.

I would at a minimum get a State ID or Learners Permit to get going. Once you have a state ID you can travel domestically without usually having to show your passport or GC.

• California Department of Motor Vehicles - California Home Page

  www.dmv.ca.gov

www.dmv.ca.gov

Edited July 13, 2013 by bigdog

[HK12 273]

California specific question: My fiance doesn't really have much driving experience, nor does she have a license from her home country in the Philippines. Would she need to take the written test, get a learner's permit, and take the driving test to get her license? How do they determine that?

It's been 25 years since I last had anything to do with this sort of thing lol (for myself).

She will need a Learner Permit and take the written and the driving test, like I did here in Oklahoma. I don't know about CA, but over here I had to take a written and vision test to get my Learner Permit and have to hold it for 30 days before I can take the actual road test. I also recommend Driver's Ed - it was definitely very helpful for me!

[thinkler 0]

yes. take your time to read through all the documents required and you will find that you can use the I-757 of your adjustment of status also callled application of GC. I Went through all that hursle with my fiance using her I-94 but it did not work. I came home and read through all the documents and found out I could use the NOA for adjustment of status. the next day I was back at the DMV the lady was not familiar with it and I ask to speak with the supervisor. i present our paper work and we got her Learner`s permit. do not allowed any one turn you away. NOA from the adjustment of status, not all NOA.

[feli114 65]

We live in New Mexico and my husband had to have a SS to get his driver license

[villaspurs 65]

For the OP: My husband moved to Ohio and got his first license here (he had always biked or used public transport in the UK). It was a mess. No one at the BMV ever knew what to do, and they always had to call around other offices/central office to find out. Be forewarned that the license expires with the green card, so after AOS it'll only be a year. It's really a pain. That said, a license is a must (at least in my part of Ohio), so it's worth it. Good luck!

[ricnally 259]

No, in California you can get driver license providing your I-94 is not less than 60 days from expiration.

But I think it will only be valid for as long as your I-94 is.

[hnubno 9]

in WI as long as we had the NOA for AOS we were able to get a one year drivers license. we had to make sure he had evidence of residency and ss# also.

[HG&TG 4]

Take a look right here

http://publicsafety.ohio.gov/links/hsy7607.pdf

[dandk 72]

But I think it will only be valid for as long as your I-94 is.

No, it does not. We went thru this experience last year.

[jen_vb 2]

For the OP: My husband moved to Ohio and got his first license here (he had always biked or used public transport in the UK). It was a mess. No one at the BMV ever knew what to do, and they always had to call around other offices/central office to find out. Be forewarned that the license expires with the green card, so after AOS it'll only be a year. It's really a pain. That said, a license is a must (at least in my part of Ohio), so it's worth it. Good luck!

Thank you for this! I was worried that this was going to be a pain. It's also a must to have a car here, even though I live in the capital. I really wish that there was good public transportation in this state, but that's another subject.....

Edited July 14, 2013 by jen_vb

[Hank_ 9,174]

I'm not sure which part of the forum to ask this question, but since we're going through the K1 process I'll ask it here. My fiance is from the Netherlands and doesn't have a driver's license. He always used public transportation so he didn't have a need for a car. We just started researching what he'll need to do to get his license here and on the Ohio BMV website it says:

"Take documentation to provide evidence of your full legal name, date of birth, and social security number (if one has ever been assigned), proof of legal presence (U.S. Birth Certificate, valid U.S. Passport/Passport Card, Naturalization Papers, USCIS documents), and proof of residency."

Does that mean that we have wait till AOS is complete for him to apply for a driver's license or can we do it after we're married?

The key words are the "proof of residency".

My wife had never had a driver's license before either, and this is for the state of Arizona, but the requirements seem very much the same I see. Here is how we did things; being it requires proof of residency and the I-94 expires in 90 days (out of status after that until your file for AOS) we waited until had filed AOS and had received the EAD/AP combo card, we brought the birth certificate, SS card and the afore mentioned card, she was then allowed to take the written test and was issued a driver's permit that day. When she passed her driver's test she had already received her green card, DMV put the expiration date on the driver's license to coincide with the expiration date on the green card.

It was about 60 days after filing before the EAD/AP card to arrive.

[villaspurs 65]

Thank you for this! I was worried that this was going to be a pain. It's also a must to have a car here, even though I live in the capital. I really wish that there was good public transportation in this state, but that's another subject.....

Glad I can help! If you're in Columbus, try to go to an office that is near the university. They will be more used to dealing with international students and residents than the BMVs in the 'burbs. And go see the Crew--it's an excellent day/night out!