Driver's License

[CG&LGG 27]

I didn't see anywhere in the guides and flowcharts when would my fiance exactly apply for his Driver's License? Same day we apply for SSN? or after we get his SSN card?

Thanks!

[Cody and Daisy 373]

I didn't see anywhere in the guides and flowcharts when would my fiance exactly apply for his Driver's License? Same day we apply for SSN? or after we get his SSN card?

Thanks!

Depends on state.

In my state you can't just get a drivers license. You need a reason for it.

In other words I needed my EAD as my reason to get a licence.

Look up your state laws.

A quick google.

http://www.dmv.org/ca-california/apply-license.php

You will follow the same new California driver's license application process as described above, paying close attention to:

Your Social Security number*. The DMV might waive this if BOTH of the following apply to you:

You are not authorized to work in the country or are otherwise ineligible.

You can provide an acceptable birth date/legal presence (BD/LP) document.

Your birth date/legal presence (BD/LP) document.

This document shows your birth date and legal presence in the country.

The DMV verifies this document with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

The state provides a full list of documents, but examples include:

Employment Authorization Card.

Valid I-94.

Temporary Resident Identification Card.

Edited February 18, 2015 by Cody and Daisy

[GabsUSA 19]

It does seem to vary from state to state, however, being in Florida I can tell you what I was told.

Under the K1 visa, if you apply BEFORE you get married, you will have to supply your I-94 and your license will expire when the 90 days are up. If you apply AFTER you get married then you have to wait for the I-797 receipt for your I-485 (AOS) so that your DL will have an expiration of a year. Until you renew once you have your Green Card (Residency).

Might be worth mentioning that if you have not held a drivers license before you will need to take the Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course before you can apply for your permit. I took mine here (https://www.drivesafetoday.com/).

Take a look here for what you will need to bring with you... Also this document contains specific information about how long your DL would be valid for under certain circumstances.

Once you have all the requirements you must pass the "written" test (Practice here: http://driving-tests.org/florida/florida-permit-practice-test ) then pass the actual "driving" test itself.

Hope this helps!

Edited February 18, 2015 by GabsUSA

[Pitaya 2,577]

~Moved from K1 Process to Moving to the US and Your New Life in America Forum~

~Inquiry about driver's license, often discussed at this forum~

[baron555 934]

I didn't see anywhere in the guides and flowcharts when would my fiance exactly apply for his Driver's License? Same day we apply for SSN? or after we get his SSN card?

Thanks!

DLs are not visa related, so no info on VJ... It's all state specific, check with your state DMV for better info.

[GabsUSA 19]

DLs are not visa related, so no info on VJ... It's all state specific, check with your state DMV for better info.

I'd argue that while it is specific to each state, theres no reason why it shouldnt be discussed here on VJ. The information I provided to the OP was very specific to anyone going through a K1 Visa Journey in Florida.

[baron555 934]

I'd argue that while it is specific to each state, theres no reason why it shouldnt be discussed here on VJ. The information I provided to the OP was very specific to anyone going through a K1 Visa Journey in Florida.

Each state is so different from the other there's no good place for that unless VJ creates a new folder, etc.

Visa-wise, there is no correlation. Don't need a DL for any part of the visa process.

[GabsUSA 19]

Each state is so different from the other there's no good place for that unless VJ creates a new folder, etc.

Visa-wise, there is no correlation. Don't need a DL for any part of the visa process.

I agree that there is no good place for the information, but there is no reason why someone who is in the same situation should not provide any information that relates to the specifics of your status before and after AOS.

The correlation is that depending on which stage of your journey you are on, different documents (I-94 vs I-797) and conditions (I-94 expiration vs 1 year with I-797) apply.

You also don't need a Social Security Number to apply for a visa, but that's among the valuable information found here on VJ... Not to mention a Green Card and Citizenship aren't Visas either.

At the very least, the OP's question can be chalked up to "Moving to the US and Your New Life In America".

[baron555 934]

You also don't need a Social Security Number to apply for a visa, but that's among the valuable information found here on VJ... Not to mention a Green Card and Citizenship aren't Visas either.

It IS needed to work legally and to obtain US Citizenship....DLs not so much.

At the very least, the OP's question can be chalked up to "Moving to the US and Your New Life In America".

Yep, they are asked all the time and answered all the time....but to place it in the General FlowChart wouldn't have value because of the state by state differences.

[CowBoE 429]

In Texas, we need EAD as far as I know to apply for DL.

[VOL 425]

In Texas, we need EAD as far as I know to apply for DL

On a K1 you can apply as soon as you get there, Only bad thing is the DL will expire after you 90 day entry.

I got my wife a Texas State ID, and it will expire after her 90 days are up, but it can also serve as a ID in Texas instead of carrying her Passport.

[CowBoE 429]

On a K1 you can apply as soon as you get there, Only bad thing is the DL will expire after you 90 day entry.

I got my wife a Texas State ID, and it will expire after her 90 days are up, but it can also serve as a ID in Texas instead of carrying her Passport.

When I called DMV, she could have gotten the State ID,

but for DL, they wanted EAD or GC, so we didn't bother getting the State ID.

My wife's EAD was approved just couple of days ago,

so she's now studying for DL permit, and we hope to

get DL within next few months once she learns to drive.