Can't Get An Illinois Driving License

[ChicagoSarah 127]

Did Jesse White's office have any suggestions about what they expect immigrants to do....when they say it's only legal to use your out-of-state (which I assume also applies to foreign) license for 90 days?

Also - which office did you visit? Just curious. Maybe we'll steer clear of that office in a few months!

[Anna Grant 169]

Did Jesse White's office have any suggestions about what they expect immigrants to do....when they say it's only legal to use your out-of-state (which I assume also applies to foreign) license for 90 days?

Also - which office did you visit? Just curious. Maybe we'll steer clear of that office in a few months!

When I asked her 'So how can I drive in Illinois then?', she sad 'You can't'.

Everyone, outside of the metropolitan areas drives in America. I have a job - I need to be able to drive.

Yes. You are only supposed to drive on an out if state or out of country DL if you are a resident of IL. However, if you are a visitor, you can drive for one year. In the unlikely event I am stopped, I am going to have to used the blurred lines with the K1 visa i.e. is it immigrant or non-immigrant and say "I am a visitor until such times as I get my GC'. Also, I believe that any police office stopping me does not have the right to inquire into my immigration status. I just show my UK DL and that's it.

The office I went to was Elgin. You would have thought I had learned from trying to get my SSN from Elgin, wouldn't you? There was no problem in Aurora.

[missicy 87]

According to this: http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_x173.pdf EAD is one of the acceptable documents but not required. Why don't you go to a different office with a different document and try applying again? You can present cancelled check/credit or debit card/ passport etc for proof of written signature and you can present a passport, Visa or birth certificate as proof of birth of date instead of EAD. You only need one document from each A, B and C and two documents from group D.

[misterbigtoe 45]

I have been in Peoria, IL for more than 2 years and waiting for my 2 year green card now.

I am still working on my DL but I got my learner's permit 6 months after immigrating to the USA.I had no problem to take written test.

So like most of everyone is saying, you can go to different office and try putting different documents together from group A, B and C.

I had my IL resident card when i took the test if it helped any. So you could try getting resident card before your DL.

Good Luck!

[Allanah and Chris 8]

I'm really stuck here. Does anyone have any suggestions at all?

Good news: a traffic officer could care less about your UK driver's license being in use longer than 90 days. Keep driving on it until you can get your IL license figured out.

Some tips to avoid traffic officers (they really are nice guys and gals):

1. Don't drive recklessly

2. Don't drive recklessly

3. Be polite

4. Don't drive recklessly

5. Don't make excuses

So find another DMV office to try at, and don't drive recklessly in the meantime. You'll be fine.

[BigBrian 0]

I just got my Illinois driving license last week. I have 7 months left on my EAD. All they wanted to see was my passport, EAD card,proof of address and one of my NOA's (cant remember which one). My DL is valid for just over 4 years. Try a different office and you should be fine.

[Anna Grant 169]

I just got my Illinois driving license last week. I have 7 months left on my EAD. All they wanted to see was my passport, EAD card,proof of address and one of my NOA's (cant remember which one). My DL is valid for just over 4 years. Try a different office and you should be fine.

Which office did you go to?

[BigBrian 0]

I went to the Decatur DMV office. They had a folder that told them everything to look for. Only took about 10 minutes. They did check that I had at least 6 months left on my EAD.

[djv-tco 29]

I've lived in Illinois for 2.5 years and I've been driving on my Arizona license all the while because I don't want the hassle of retaking the drivers exam for an Illinois license (first state I've lived in that doesn't have state-to-state reciprocity). I've never had a problem. I also drove in AZ for a few years on a PA license. I did get stopped there once for a traffic violation and the cop told me I needed to switch my license to AZ if I was living there more than half of the year. It was a suggestion, I didn't get into any legal trouble over the out-of-state license.

[Boiler 45,769]

Yet

Yet

[PearlyLemons 13]

I am so confused now. I went to our DMV last week and they told me I could drive on my British license until I become a LPR, because right now I am classed as a "visitor". I'm under my husband's insurance (he's a USC) and I've been driving around town. They told me that once I become a resident, I have to have an IL license.

[Boiler 45,769]

Undoubtedly wrong as State Residence is not connect to Federal immigration Residence.

State DMV website will state what they consider is a resident for driving purposes. It seems every government body has a different definition.

The one for my State has changed since I have been here, used to be ambiguous to say the least.

[PearlyLemons 13]

Undoubtedly wrong as State Residence is not connect to Federal immigration Residence.

State DMV website will state what they consider is a resident for driving purposes. It seems every government body has a different definition.

The one for my State has changed since I have been here, used to be ambiguous to say the least.

Well, I'm not really a resident am I? The K1 visa is such a grey area, and since that's expired now I'm married, I don't know what to do. I've been told by the city's DMV that I can drive on my British license until my residency comes through. What did you do?

[Boiler 45,769]

Now in Colorado you have 90 days, unless they changed it again. A true visitor has a year.

I was pulled over once, pulled out my UK License and the cop decided it was not worth the hassle! So definitely has its uses.

My dealing with the DMV suggest that they do not know their own rules, plus of course it is not them you have to answer to.

In Colorado you need a EAD to get a Colorado license, well the first document you can get as a K1.

My guess is that most people just drive until they get an appropriate document.

[GJ&Rach 12]

I called jesse white's office regarding this same thing, I was told that once hubby gets his 1 year green card he will qualify for a license, and that until then it is legal for him to drive on his foreign license.