About NJ Driver's License - Can I get one with EAD + SSN while waiting for GC?

[GJF 5]

Hi.

I'm a K1 Visa Holder, already married, already applied and waiting for AOS/EAD/AP/GC and about to receive the SSN in the next days.

The New Jersey MVC/DMV (and I bet in many other states) acts in a kind of ridiculous way because despite I'm being legal here, they'll not let me get a driver's license with the K1-Visa only, even if I have enough documents to prove the 6 points ID verification. I did some research in the forum and I found some old topics about this same issue.

My question, for someone that's having or had a recent experience in this specific state is: If I go to the MVC after I get the EAD, whitout the passport, present the EAD (as a primary ID) with the SSN, and my marriage certificate, can I get a driver's license, or they'll annoy me anyway asking for my passport saing that I need to wait until the end of the AOS process? I read this recommendation in another topics from years ago, but I did not saw any real recent experience about it actually working nowadays.

Appreciate the help.

Regards.

Edited January 9, 2015 by GJF

[CHarvey80 72]

Hi there,

My wife and I live in NJ and she needed her passport to issue her driver's liscense so I think you'll be better off if you show it along any other forms of ID you have. I know it's a pain but they get to do things their way, so sometimes it's better to just do as they say and get it over with. If it makes you feel any better, citizens don't get treated any better.

Best of luck.

[GJF 5]

Thank you for sharingCHarvey80

I realized that the MVC people act like Patty and Selma from The Simpsons since I arrived, they just don't mind about being polite. I can understand because there's probably a lot of people that go there to try to get a license whitout being able to, and they are basically following weird unpractical laws that they don't createad.

But what is definetely a pain, as you said, is that someone that legally entered the country cannot get a legal driving document. And if you don't drive in a little city like mine, you are basically a prisoner, specialy in the winter (using a bicycle on the snow and under 32 degrees is not a pleasant experience). So anything that I could do to speed the process would be helpful.

Reading the 6-point brochure they say that you have to present at least one primary document, and the EAD card is considered a primary document. So at least in theory the passport is not mandatory if you have an EAD. But theory and practice are very different, and that's why I would like to hear more experiences.

[Henley1989 10]

Hiya

Jumping in here. Its all a bit confusing. I am moving to NJ and have my interview in London in a month. Once I move, I will get married and get SSN as soon as possible (lets assume 2 weeks)

At that point do I have enough for a NJ license?

Or do I have to wait till EAD in hand?

Thanks

[TabeaK 517]

No. You won't get a license prior to EAD.

[GJF 5]

Yes you`ll need the EAD for the NJ driver`s license.

What you can do if your finances allow you is rent a car every time you need it (you can do that legally with your UK license and passport). Or if both parts are comfortable you can also buy a car in the name of your fiancee/husband/wife (it cannot be in your name, because you need a NJ driver`s license to register the vehicle in your name).

It is a very annoying situation to be, specially during the winter. Your timeline is similar to mine. I had the longest 3 months of my life here in NJ waiting for this during the winter. It was depressing but I survived.

Good luck and wish you a happy marriage.

[tpmd 155]

I know this is a few years old now, but wondering if any of you who've been through it can help! 

 

I have never had a driving license, so when I get to NJ I need to learn from scratch. I understand not being able to get the license straight away, but do you think I'll be able to get the learners permit as soon as I arrive and get my SSN, but not my EAD? I've tried looking it up, but I can't figure it out 

 

From what I've read on the NJ gov website, because I'm over 21 there will be less restrictions on amount of practice time etc, but it doesn't say a lot about actually obtaining the permit (on a k1 visa)