K1 visa and drivers license

[bluestone99 0]

Hi, does anyone know if there is something that we can do so that my wife can get her license? She came here in December 2012 and we were married in February. We filed for AOS in March and will be waiting for her green card for several more months it looks like. Today we went to get her license and they told us that they cannot issue to someone who came on a K1 visa until they get their green card. Are there any short cuts? I am about to file her I-765 to speed up her social security number. Not sure if this will help.

[canadian_wife 1,829]

Driver's licenses are by state, what state are you in?

good luck

[NikLR 13,232]

If you are in Louisiana like your profile says, they do require the green card. Some states will let you squeak by with the EAD but not there. http://dpsweb.dps.louisiana.gov/Omv1.nsf/58c968bd569b099986256cdc000806eb/037c1c72e5cbc226862564ae006ccdd2?OpenDocument

Hope the link works...

[NikLR 13,232]

**** moved from K1 process and procedures to Moving here and your new life in America.***

[bluestone99 0]

Ok, thats disappointing but thanks for the info.

[Redicent 14]

Check to see if her driver license from her home country is valid in your state. Most states accept a foreign license, if the home country standards are equivilent to the state. If her home country is a signatory to the international driver treaty, go to a AAA office and get an international license. Which is valid along with the foreign licence.

[pro_star 52]

But with the international driver treaty - since the benificiary has MOVED...don't most places have a "you must change your licence within x period of time/3 months/etc after you move", which would make your home licence kind of invalid anyway? How does that work? I mean, if I go down with my Alberta (Canadian) drivers licence...how can i keep that going if I don't have an alberta address?

[Redicent 14]

But with the international driver treaty - since the benificiary has MOVED...don't most places have a "you must change your licence within x period of time/3 months/etc after you move", which would make your home licence kind of invalid anyway? How does that work? I mean, if I go down with my Alberta (Canadian) drivers licence...how can i keep that going if I don't have an alberta address?

Yes, after a time, which differs in in various jurisdictions, one will eventually become a resident., then require a local driver license. Just having moved, does not make one a resident immediately. But in the time between arriving and becoming a resident, one has the opportunity to get a local license. Of course, work towards getting the local license, but avail yourself of international driving treaty until then. BTW: you could get a license in each locale.

Edited July 23, 2013 by Redicent