Drivers license in Ohio

[Kiwi1 4]

Hi guys! I know these questions come up all the time but this is my first time asking a question so please go easy on me! I will be moving to Ohio on the K1 visa soon and was wondering if anyone here has any experience with the state law for how long I can drive on my foreign drivers license for before I have to get Ohio drivers license and also how quick do I have to get it after POE? One more thing is if I get the Ohio license before my AOS does my Ohio license become void from AOS until I receive EAD? If anyone could offer any insights it'd be much appreciated!

[nightingalejules 678]

I'm not sure, but look online at the Ohio DMV website and see what they say about new immigrants or new arrivals. I think you probably have a couple months, but you might want to inquire locally about getting an international drivers permit.

[Kiwi1 4]

Thanks! I've checked the DMV website but the site only seems to be geared towards info for tourists or people moving to Ohio from another state. I guess I might just have to slowly trawl through the site and hopefully I can find what I'm after. Thanks for your help!

[sharky-rex 76]

Please let me know if you discover anything. I also couldn't find anything relevant on the DMV site.

[Kiwi1 4]

I emailed the DMV a few weeks back with a different question and they were very helpful so I've just emailed them with these questions so hopefully they can give me the info and I'll post it up on here.

[Kat&Abhi 42]

Hey! I know when you move from out of state you have 10-14 days to update your license (they are not that strict on this though). Not sure if its the same for out of country move too? You mentioned having a foreign drivers license but do you also have an international driving permit?

http://bmv.ohio.gov/dl_non_renewable_transferable.stm

In Ohio we have the BMV and the link above talks about the USCIS docs and residence proof you need to provide to get your Ohio DL.

http://www.bmv.ohio.gov/acceptable_id_documents.stm

[Kiwi1 4]

Thanks for that! I've seen those pages before on the BMV but thank you for the links! I don't have an international drivers permit because I'm pretty sure one was only needed if your original foreign drivers license is not in English?

[Kiwi1 4]

For those interested I got this email back from the Ohio BMV:

Good Morning,

Based on your email dated 3/09/2014

VISA CLASS K-1

K-1 (fiancé-not married yet); The applicant will be required to provide a valid passport, visa, and I-94. A non-renewable/non-transferable identification card or driver license will be issued with the same expiration date that appears on the I-94. You may be issue a non-renewable/non-transferable Ohio driver license or identification card by presenting the valid I-94 until you apply for conditional permanent resident status

K-1 (married) needs to provide passport, visa, I-94 (may be expired), I-797-Receipt Notice with case type I-485 issued by the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The applicant must also provide the marriage certificate or license (marriage must be solemnized on marriage license).

Foreign motorists can drive legally by using their valid domestic driver's license for a period not to exceed one year from date of arrival. This arrangement applies to driving either personal or rental cars. Foreign motorists can also legally drive their own private cars bearing valid license plates/registration tags issued in their native country for a period not to exceed one year from date of arrival.

Please note: You can drive legally by using the valid domestic driver's license until you obtain the Ohio driver license

If you need further assistance, please direct inquiries to this office

Very helpful and answers our questions SHARKY-REX

[Chemmy 3]

For those interested I got this email back from the Ohio BMV:

Good Morning,

Based on your email dated 3/09/2014

VISA CLASS K-1

K-1 (fiancé-not married yet); The applicant will be required to provide a valid passport, visa, and I-94. A non-renewable/non-transferable identification card or driver license will be issued with the same expiration date that appears on the I-94. You may be issue a non-renewable/non-transferable Ohio driver license or identification card by presenting the valid I-94 until you apply for conditional permanent resident status

K-1 (married) needs to provide passport, visa, I-94 (may be expired), I-797-Receipt Notice with case type I-485 issued by the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The applicant must also provide the marriage certificate or license (marriage must be solemnized on marriage license).

Foreign motorists can drive legally by using their valid domestic driver's license for a period not to exceed one year from date of arrival. This arrangement applies to driving either personal or rental cars. Foreign motorists can also legally drive their own private cars bearing valid license plates/registration tags issued in their native country for a period not to exceed one year from date of arrival.

Please note: You can drive legally by using the valid domestic driver's license until you obtain the Ohio driver license

If you need further assistance, please direct inquiries to this office

Very helpful and answers our questions SHARKY-REX

Oh wow!

Just what we've been looking for! Would you please share the email address and/or personnel who emailed you this info?

I happen to be in the same dilemma.

Thanks!

[Maudereese 3]

On 20/03/2014 at 0:37 AM, Kiwi1 said:

For those interested I got this email back from the Ohio BMV:

Good Morning,

Based on your email dated 3/09/2014

VISA CLASS K-1

K-1 (fiancé-not married yet); The applicant will be required to provide a valid passport, visa, and I-94. A non-renewable/non-transferable identification card or driver license will be issued with the same expiration date that appears on the I-94. You may be issue a non-renewable/non-transferable Ohio driver license or identification card by presenting the valid I-94 until you apply for conditional permanent resident status

K-1 (married) needs to provide passport, visa, I-94 (may be expired), I-797-Receipt Notice with case type I-485 issued by the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The applicant must also provide the marriage certificate or license (marriage must be solemnized on marriage license).

Foreign motorists can drive legally by using their valid domestic driver's license for a period not to exceed one year from date of arrival. This arrangement applies to driving either personal or rental cars. Foreign motorists can also legally drive their own private cars bearing valid license plates/registration tags issued in their native country for a period not to exceed one year from date of arrival.

Please note: You can drive legally by using the valid domestic driver's license until you obtain the Ohio driver license

If you need further assistance, please direct inquiries to this office

Very helpful and answers our questions SHARKY-REX

Thank you for this! If I may ask, after 1 year on foreign driver's license, do you need to get the Temporary Permit or it will be automatically be converted to OH driver's license?