Driving Licence quandry

[Marco&Bettina 502]

Well since I'm at TSC, I have at least 4 years to need to worry about that.

[Pitaya 2,577]

~Moved from Family-based AOS to Moving Here and Your New Life in America Forum~

~Similar topics are often discussed at this forum~

[tetlee 0]

I'm in the same boat - I took and past my test today, only realising it was dated the same as my I-94 when I received the card >_<

I however only have a month left on mine now.

Whilst in Arizona I can drive on my foreign licence, we took insurance with me as a learner cause it was more straight forward (actually an option for it) and likely cheaper.

[tetlee 0]

I emailed Geico to ask about this ...

When changing an existing policy they have two types of driver, active and not

An active driver's license is one which provides regular driving privileges and is NOT one of the following:

1. Learners Permit
2. Expired
3. Suspended
4. Revoked
5. Never Licensed
6. Never licensed but will be in next 30 days

So I emailed to ask if a foreign licence would count as active (it does)

A driver's license in another country will be listed as an active license on your policy. The options you mentioned are selections for a United States driver's license.

Rest assured that this person would be listed as an active driver on your policy; however, they would be required to obtain a United States driver's license as soon as possible to ensure your policy remains in good standing.

[Caryh 5,206]

I emailed Geico to ask about this ...

When changing an existing policy they have two types of driver, active and not

So I emailed to ask if a foreign licence would count as active (it does)

Insurance companies are not the people to contact to find out how the law works. Yes, they may consider a spouse's foreign drivers license and active license, but that doesn't mean the state in which you reside allows driving privileges to the holder of that foreign license.

[2018JourneyDone 77]

In Michigan, my husband has to take a written test, wait 30-days and then take an actual road test with a certified instructor. If he passes, license is issued. However, no one was able to tell us how long his license would be valid for. Super..... ;-/

[tetlee 0]

Insurance companies are not the people to contact to find out how the law works. Yes, they may consider a spouse's foreign drivers license and active license, but that doesn't mean the state in which you reside allows driving privileges to the holder of that foreign license.

Not exactly ... the state law is the first part of the puzzle

If the insurance company doesn't accept the foreign licence then you are driving illegally without insurance - that's what I was getting at.

Arizona's rules are clear (for once) on 'out of state licences'

State law requires that you obtain an Arizona drivers licence and registration immediately if an one of the following applies, if you

• Work in Arizona (other than for seasonal agricultural work).
• Place children in school without paying the tuition rate of a non resident.
• Have a business with an office in Arizona, that bases and operates vehicles in this state.
• Obtain a state license or pay school tuition fees at the same rate as an Arizona resident.
• Have a business that operates vehicles to transport goods or passengers within Arizona
• Remain in Arizona for a total of 7 months or more during an calendar year, regardless of your permanent residence.
• Are registered to vote in this state

Edited May 22, 2014 by tetlee

[Tina and Johan 206]

Well since I'm at TSC, I have at least 4 years to need to worry about that.

LOL (I assume that was an attempt at humor) And booooooo (I can't believe how long TSC takes!!)

[Marco&Bettina 502]

LOL (I assume that was an attempt at humor) And booooooo (I can't believe how long TSC takes!!)

It was an obviously failed attempt to heckle the TSC.

[markonline1 11]

As an example, California recognizes a foreign DL. However, when you become a permanent resident of the state you have 10 days to get a California DL. Since my wife is in this weird immigration limbo, legally here on her K-1 but not a permanent resident of anywhere (until she gets her GC or EAD/AP), shes been driving with her foreign license.

She's driving illegally then. She might want to be extra careful at stop signs!

[PabloGarcia 36]

She's driving illegally then. She might want to be extra careful at stop signs!

Not according to the supervisor at the DMV that rejected our initial attempt at getting a license.

[markonline1 11]

Not according to the supervisor at the DMV that rejected our initial attempt at getting a license.

I doubt that is gonna wash if your wife is stopped by the CHP.

Taken from the DMV CA drivers handbook

"If you become a California resident, you must get a California driver license within 10 days. Residency is established by voting in a California election, paying resident tuition, filing for a homeowners property tax exemption, or any other privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents."

The AOS that I assume your wife either is or has submitted to get a GC would be a privilege not ordinarily extended to nonresidents. That sounds like very duff info given to you by your local DMV office, but as I said, it's not me you need to worry about, it's the cop if she's unfortunate enough to be stopped.

If you want further clarification, try tweeting CA DMV on twitter. They are very helpful and always responded to my tweets when I had a question.

Edited May 24, 2014 by markonline1

[PabloGarcia 36]

I doubt that is gonna wash if your wife is stopped by the CHP.

Taken from the DMV CA drivers handbook

"If you become a California resident, you must get a California driver license within 10 days. Residency is established by voting in a California election, paying resident tuition, filing for a homeowners property tax exemption, or any other privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents."

The AOS that I assume your wife either is or has submitted to get a GC would be a privilege not ordinarily extended to nonresidents. That sounds like very duff info given to you by your local DMV office, but as I said, it's not me you need to worry about, it's the cop if she's unfortunate enough to be stopped.

If you want further clarification, try tweeting CA DMV on twitter. They are very helpful and always responded to my tweets when I had a question.

My wife cant vote until she is a citizen, she cant qualify for resident tuition until shes lived here for 1 year, she cant file for any tax exemptions since she doesn't own property or pay taxes since shes not allowed to work. As for the application, anyone can file it, even people living overseas (there is a portion of the applications we filled out for people doing just this) so I dont know how that determines residency anywhere.

I looked into this pretty thoroughly and was eventually confirmed by a supervisor at the DMV so im going to take their word for it.

[2018JourneyDone 77]

My husband just passed his written portion of the driver's test yesterday. He's been here for exactly one month. Next Friday he's scheduled for the road test (1.5hrs) and his license will be issued thereafter since his driver's license in Haiti was not expired. If he had no license or it was expired, the state of Michigan would have required a 30-day wait until issuance. However, the best news? It expires on July 24....grrrrrrrr!!! ((The date the I-94 expires.)) Anyone know if there's a way to extend that expiration date?? <<hoping>><<praying>> ahahaa! Prob not but thought I'd ask.

[Caryh 5,206]

My wife cant vote until she is a citizen, she cant qualify for resident tuition until shes lived here for 1 year, she cant file for any tax exemptions since she doesn't own property or pay taxes since shes not allowed to work. As for the application, anyone can file it, even people living overseas (there is a portion of the applications we filled out for people doing just this) so I dont know how that determines residency anywhere.

I looked into this pretty thoroughly and was eventually confirmed by a supervisor at the DMV so im going to take their word for it.

I think you want to read this thread on what happened to one person driving in CA after arriving with on a K-1, and making the assumption they were legally driving.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/196639-driving-in-california-a-warning-to-all-you-non-resident-newlyweds/