Can driving, ""Get me into trouble?"" (Am on 2 yr. GC now)

[NickD 203]

Questions like, did you ever commit a crime you were never caught for will pop up. If found guilty later on, can be deported for just lying on your application. Not so much the crime itself.

I am aware of your situation, but not with one, but two probationary immigrants in my home, but had the luxury of being self employed so could ride with them. The risk is of triple jeopardy, the law, your insurance company, and the USCIS, not worth the risk.

And an accident does not have to be your fault, another consideration. Can lose your probationary license, depending on your state, have a years suspension, and have to do it all over again. Latest bug with the USCIS is showing your tickets, why you got them, and if you paid the fines. Even in some cases, a simple parking ticket.

[visaqueries 111]

My friend had lived 20 years in the USA before he applied for citizenship. A few months before he was set to take his oath, he was in a car accident while taking a group of youth on a trip to Colorado for his church. (He was a legally licensed driver. It was icy, and the car went out of control. No one was hurt thankfully.) While he finally became a citizen, his original ceremony was delayed until they could do an investigation with the accident. Not having a license and having any problems, could certainly cause some problems for you in the long run.

[rocketman 6]

If you are in a state that considers driving without proper license and insurance is a felony, then if you are caught, you can get into trouble with USCIS.

It's not just the car that is insured, it is the car+driver. Insurance company can deny insurance if anyone other than the insured driver(s) is driving the car.

[enlijoe 20]

I would be very careful about this kind of thing because every state is different in there laws. Normally a traffic ticket is called an infraction and no you would not need to worry about that with the Green Card. But some things having to do with traffic and be a misdemeanor or felony. Here in Texas if you driver more then 25 over the speed limit it is felony and that kind of thing would effect your green card.

I also know that in Wisconsin it is a misdemeanor for the third offence of driving without a license. So before you feel it is a good idea to do this I would either look into the laws yourself or contact an attorney. Or better yet just do not do things that are ageist the law.

[enlijoe 20]

If you are in a state that considers driving without proper license and insurance is a felony, then if you are caught, you can get into trouble with USCIS.

It's not just the car that is insured, it is the car+driver. Insurance company can deny insurance if anyone other than the insured driver(s) is driving the car.

Every insurance policy is different. Some cover anyone driving even if without a license and some will only cover driver.

[JRF 117]

Driving without a license is a serious misdemeanor in SC (look it up). Injuring someone while doing so is a felony. Fines range up to 1,000 and time in jail. An insurance company might not deny a claim (they may try) but they almost surely will cancel the policy. And to the poster who said insurance follows the car - not true. It follows the driver.

All this plus the potential to muck up the AOS process.

For the grand benefit of...two months commuting.

We all make our own risk/reward choices, but to me this is a slam dunk. Don't drive in violation of the terms of your license.

Edited February 8, 2014 by JRF

[apple21 953]

You need a valid driver's license. Period.

[Al422 221]

Your permit can get revoked. Then if you are caught driving again (since you have now blown your chance to get a license) you can be charged with driving under revocation, which is a criminal offense in many states. That can lead to revocation of your green card.

My adivce: Wait the 2 months before you drive alone.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Harpa,

I have my 6 month drivers permit, and passed that test, but sometimes I drive to work by myself, but supposed to have alicensed driver until I pass my final test after 6 months, (about 2 months from now) I value your opinion, as I have read many of your posts, and value your opinion!

You have a learner's PERMIT, not a license.

It is not the same thing. You are driving without a license.

In some states driving without a license is a misdemeanor and will get you 5 days in jail.

[loladolly 51]

No. No need to mention traffic violations on the I-751 for ROC. You do have to disclose them on the N-400 if you file for citizenship, but a traffic citation will not stop you from being approved for naturalization.

Since you are asking about an immigration aspect, I am going to go ahead and move this post once more.

~ Moved from Moving Here and Your New Life in America to General Immigration-Related Discussion ~

You are bringing at good point. But what about traffic citations that are classified as class C, B or A misdemeanor such as driving without a license or a suspended license? Because in this case in addition to the traffic ticket you get arrested.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

You are bringing at good point. But what about traffic citations that are classified as class C, B or A misdemeanor such as driving without a license or a suspended license? Because in this case in addition to the traffic ticket you get arrested.

You are right, Driving without a license is a misdemeanor and does need to be declared on all immigration forms. It is not a simple traffic violation. It will involve an arrest, a hefty fine, possible jail time, court, and being denied car insurance.

[Pinkrlion 2,724]

You are right, Driving without a license is a misdemeanor and does need to be declared on all immigration forms. It is not a simple traffic violation. It will involve an arrest, a hefty fine, possible jail time, court, and being denied car insurance.

My point exactly

[razspaz13 30]

I remember "thinking" this, when I was 16 years old and a very selfish immature teenager.............................. LOL

after considering the risk not only to myself, but to others on the road and that I could kill someone, if I just sneak the car out and drive alone, if I don't get caught, if I only drive 10 miles, notice all the I's????? if I, if I, if I.....as a teenager it was ALL ABOUT ME

Made the smart decision and told my parents that I had considered taking their car out, told them when I turned................30 LOL

doing the wrong thing is always the wrong thing in my opinion, a police officer mate of mine used to say "ignorance is no excuse for breaking the law"...

[loladolly 51]

You are right, Driving without a license is a misdemeanor and does need to be declared on all immigration forms. It is not a simple traffic violation. It will involve an arrest, a hefty fine, possible jail time, court, and being denied car insurance.

You can be arrested for a bunch of traffic violations so it is not very easy to know for sure, plus it depends on the state. I know someone who got arrested for not having insurance and had to go to court. Those are still traffic violations and then there are sub categories (petty offense, midemaneor A,B,C, business offense etc...) so this is all about the importance of the traffic violation but for immigration it remains a traffic matterI with the exception of the DIU. I remember reading this on a USCIS page while doing research (a Q&A page).

So this is still a blurry thing for me because since it is still a traffic violation but involves an arrest, does it need to be declared or not as the forms specify excluding traffic violations. I think the records still need to be provided.

Anyway the OP shouldn't take the risk, because it will involve going to court and this can be dragged for a long time... i know someone who had a ticket for driving on a suspended license + other minor tickets at the same time (speeding, red light etc...)and is still going to court every couple/three weeks since July ! In addition to the fine you have the court costs and the DMV can revoke the driving privileges for a certain period of time. Double jeopardy!

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

You are bringing at good point. But what about traffic citations that are classified as class C, B or A misdemeanor such as driving without a license or a suspended license? Because in this case in addition to the traffic ticket you get arrested.

That is true. If they get more than a traffic violation, then it will need to be documented on the ROC form as well. It is just not a good idea with or without having to reveal things for immigration purposes.