DMV (MVC) learner's permit

[sweet cakes 326]

So my husband wants me to learn how to drive while waiting for my EAD and GC. Does anybody know what I should expect when I go visit DMV? I am here on a K-1 and didn't have a license back in Philippines. Recently married and have yet to submit my AOS.

I called up our nearest MVC and they told me that the requirements are:

1.) Passport & valid I-94

- My I-94 is good until Feb 18, that's why I'm worried

2.) Health insurance

3.) Marriage certificate

4.) Social Security card with married last name

5.) Proof of address

Before I ask any more questions, the call was dropped.

Will I be taking any test on the first visit? Written or driving?

Can I go to a driving school without a learner's permit?

Thanks in advance for the help!

[Hank_ 9,174]

My wife didn't get her permit until she had her EAD/AP card, which was only 2 months after we filed AOS, and we are not in New Jersey which may make a difference with some things. She had to pass the written exam before she was issued her permit.

I think the guy you talked to on the phone was full of it from what I have read as you only need some of those, read the link I "bulleted" for sure:

http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Licenses/AdultRoad.htm

http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Licenses/6PointID.htm

http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Licenses/DocumentSelector/index.htm

• http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Licenses/DocumentSelector/doc_primary_nonusa.htm

[sweet cakes 326]

My wife didn't get her permit until she had her EAD/AP card, which was only 2 months after we filed AOS, and we are not in New Jersey which may make a difference with some things. She had to pass the written exam before she was issued her permit.

I think the guy you talked to on the phone was full of it from what I have read as you only need some of those, read the link I "bulleted" for sure:

http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Licenses/AdultRoad.htm

http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Licenses/6PointID.htm

http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Licenses/DocumentSelector/index.htm

• http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Licenses/DocumentSelector/doc_primary_nonusa.htm

Thanks for the links, Hank! I was going through the NJ MVC site as well, but it's just not so straight-forward, so I resorted to calling them. So, since I am married now, I can no longer use my I-94 because it's in my maiden name, is that correct? Therefore, I have no primary ID to show, until I get my EAD/AP?

[pete_falcone 7]

You should be fine with your combo card, marriage certificate, and bank statement. That's how we got ours. We tried doing it once with the Phil passport and I-94 printed from the site, but no luck that time.

Edited January 31, 2014 by pete_falcone

[Hank_ 9,174]

Thanks for the links, Hank! I was going through the NJ MVC site as well, but it's just not so straight-forward, so I resorted to calling them. So, since I am married now, I can no longer use my I-94 because it's in my maiden name, is that correct? Therefore, I have no primary ID to show, until I get my EAD/AP?

I see no reason why you can't use the I-94 even with it showing maiden name, along with your passport (as it is a picture ID). I have a feeling they will use an expiration date for the permit to coincide with the I-94 expiration though, just a gut feeling, so you may be better off waiting for EAD... but that is something to check with DMV about.

My wife's permit expiration was tied to the expiration the the EAD card and her driver's license is set to expire with her conditional green card. Once she has her permanent green card then she can renew her license for the normal time frame.

[sweet cakes 326]

You should be fine with your combo card, marriage certificate, and bank statement. That's how we got ours. We tried doing it once with the Phil passport and I-94 printed from the site, but no luck that time.

I am yet to submit our application for AOS. Pete_falcon. So no combo card to show at this time. Anyway, did they give your wife any test on your visit when you presented those accepted requirements?

I see no reason why you can't use the I-94 even with it showing maiden name, along with your passport (as it is a picture ID). I have a feeling they will use an expiration date for the permit to coincide with the I-94 expiration though, just a gut feeling, so you may be better off waiting for EAD... but that is something to check with DMV about.

My wife's permit expiration was tied to the expiration the the EAD card and her driver's license is set to expire with her conditional green card. Once she has her permanent green card then she can renew her license for the normal time frame.

Ugh! I have that feeling too. Ohh well. Did your wife use to drive back in Philippines? Or did she just learn how to drive here?

My husband has no time to teach me how to drive or maybe he just doesn't want to use his car for me to practice and wreck. Is it ok to go to a driving school without a learner's permit?

[Cathi 5,746]

What state are you in? In New Hampshire there is no learners permit. As long as you are at least 15 and a half and drive with someone over the age of 25 with a drivers license.

[SteveKarlaMayer 21]

What is your state? Seems that they asked more requirements than ours. Here in KS, if you're going to apply a Learner's Permit, you'll just need to present your SS card and valid ID. In my case, I presented my K1 visa with a stamp on it and our marriage certificate and explained that I don't have an EAD or GC. After that, you'll just need to pass the written test and vission test.

I think that's possible.

[Hank_ 9,174]

I am yet to submit our application for AOS. Pete_falcon. So no combo card to show at this time. Anyway, did they give your wife any test on your visit when you presented those accepted requirements?

Ugh! I have that feeling too. Ohh well. Did your wife use to drive back in Philippines? Or did she just learn how to drive here?

My husband has no time to teach me how to drive or maybe he just doesn't want to use his car for me to practice and wreck. Is it ok to go to a driving school without a learner's permit?

Nope my wife never drove before, I taught her to drive.

For New Jersey, if I read the info correctly, you need to have a permit, and you need to take a written test to get the permit.

[sweet cakes 326]

What is your state? Seems that they asked more requirements than ours. Here in KS, if you're going to apply a Learner's Permit, you'll just need to present your SS card and valid ID. In my case, I presented my K1 visa with a stamp on it and our marriage certificate and explained that I don't have an EAD or GC. After that, you'll just need to pass the written test and vission test.

I think that's possible.

NJ, sis. Seems like the requirements vary in different states. Did you take the written and vision test on the first visit? I didn't drive back in PI and I'm planning to go to driving school soon. If I don't need a learner's permit before I go and learn to drive, then I should just probably wait til my EAD/AP card arrives.

[sweet cakes 326]

Nope my wife never drove before, I taught her to drive.

For New Jersey, if I read the info correctly, you need to have a permit, and you need to take a written test to get the permit.

Ohh well... My husband said he doesn't want me to be on his car's driver seat without learning how to drive yet. Ugh! Ok, I think I better review for that written test before anything else then.

[carton025 38]

The learner's permit you get will expire on the same day your I-94 expires. The good part is the learner's permit will give you a state ID - an expired state ID but still an ID valid to determine your age and who you are. I have used an expired state ID for years without any problems with the police and valid ID for alcohol in different states not necessarily my home state.

In most states you will take a written test for a learner's permit. The driving test will be when you go for your driver's license and that won't be until you get either your EAD or GC. Again, you may be able to get a driver's license now but it will also expire when your I-94 expires. I attended driving school with a learner's permit but, that was a very long time ago.

Best of luck!

[sweet cakes 326]

The learner's permit you get will expire on the same day your I-94 expires. The good part is the learner's permit will give you a state ID - an expired state ID but still an ID valid to determine your age and who you are. I have used an expired state ID for years without any problems with the police and valid ID for alcohol in different states not necessarily my home state.

In most states you will take a written test for a learner's permit. The driving test will be when you go for your driver's license and that won't be until you get either your EAD or GC. Again, you may be able to get a driver's license now but it will also expire when your I-94 expires. I attended driving school with a learner's permit but, that was a very long time ago.

Best of luck!

Thanks for this info, Carton025! I kind of figured that my learner's permit will be expiring at the same time as my I-94, hence the hesitation. It's just a bummer that I can't go to a driving school right now while waiting for my EAD/AP and GC. Well ... Well. Thanks for being helpful!