Driving before you have a greencard

[john_and_marlene 162]

I WILL NOT BE STUCK IN MY HOUSE ALL DAY FOR THE NEXT 3 MONTH OR HOWEVER LONG IT WILL TAKE!

So you've decided to get a bicycle?

[scooby06 0]

I just went to The DMV in TN (with SS# and EAD card) and was told with out a permanent residence card (Green card) I can’t get a DL license at all. I can’t even do the written or driving test or get a simple ID card.

[Michelle_Otman 0]

Hello...

i have looked at the identification requirements. under the category of primary identification, it says foreign passport with I-94. The secondary documents probably do not apply. The supporting documents that can be used would be Social Security card, and Marriage License. I was under the assumption that the passport is enough..Is that true??

My fiance is coming on monday under a K1 visa. how do we apply for SSN??

hey congrats

just take the EAD stamp card to the local SSoffice.. we took every piece of evidence we had on him and we were able to get one all though it took over a month cuz the guy didnt process it and he was just a #######.

[athena_ny 1]

I WILL NOT BE STUCK IN MY HOUSE ALL DAY FOR THE NEXT 3 MONTH OR HOWEVER LONG IT WILL TAKE!

So you've decided to get a bicycle?

[Dodger 0]

Hey all!

Well I made it safely to the USA and am so happy to be back with my beautiful Zach

I am feeling some what depressed right now though as I feel like the US government is trying to keep me from doing anything in the next few months

I just went to the Texas DMV to enquire about getting a drivers licence and I was informed that I cannot even take the written test until I have a greencard! I didn't have a full licence in my home country. Has nayone else come across this and is there another way to get around it? It is bad enough that I cannot work for awhile, let alone go anywhere!

Thanks in advance for any help

Jenna

Hi there, Ive also been trying for a licence in Texas, I have a full South African licence, but the DMV in North Texas dont care,they want your I-94 to be valid for more than 3 months.. so best to wait for the EAD or greencard, some people have been really lucky by applying for their ID and then the TX drivers licence, but I think you have to get an airhead who will just dish one out. Its a pitty you dont have a licence from your own country, you are allowed to drive for up to a year on a foreign licence in Texas! However your insurance is way more as ive discovered!! good luck

[jo&john 1]

We live in the Frisco/Dallas area...can't get even a driver's permit without the green card...you really need to wait for your permanent resident card before they issue you a permit and state ID as well...

Good luck and Godspeed,

[DelcoCouple 1]

We live in the Frisco/Dallas area...can't get even a driver's permit without the green card...you really need to wait for your permanent resident card before they issue you a permit and state ID as well...

Good luck and Godspeed,

Ummm you need to refer to my post above and the Texas DMV site. An EAD is all that is required for a Texas DL/ID. If you have difficulties with a local member of staff ask for a supervisor and refer them to the published requirements.

[jo&john 1]

We live in the Frisco/Dallas area...can't get even a driver's permit without the green card...you really need to wait for your permanent resident card before they issue you a permit and state ID as well...

Good luck and Godspeed,

Ummm you need to refer to my post above and the Texas DMV site. An EAD is all that is required for a Texas DL/ID. If you have difficulties with a local member of staff ask for a supervisor and refer them to the published requirements.

Hi, EAD is definitely ok for a Texas DL/ID. I saw that the OP (K1) is in Texas. I assumed they will get married soon and if they are within the Dallas District, they could file AOS thru the DORA Program without filing for an EAD. The green card arrives sooner thru this program, thus it is not practical to file and pay for EAD. But if they wanted to file both, and whichever got approved first, it can be used to apply for a TX DL/ID.

God bless,

[antda 13]

Hi Jenna,

Good luck on your immigration journey. From my experience here in New York State, I got my Canadian license transferred over, as NYS has an exchange agreement with Canada. I only had to pay the $40 license fee, which is good for 5 years. No written tests or road tests required for me either. Maybe you can ask of your state has some sort of exchange agreement with your former country too? What's needed for a NYS driver's license though is a SS#, which I got a couple of weeks later after I got my Green Card. Meanwhile, throughout the entire time I was in the USA, I just drove with my Canadian license, which was perfectly legal to do. The only frustration I had in driving with a Canadian license was that was still in my old maiden last name (which I really hate), not in my new married last name (which I really like).

Ant

Hey all!

Well I made it safely to the USA and am so happy to be back with my beautiful Zach

I am feeling some what depressed right now though as I feel like the US government is trying to keep me from doing anything in the next few months

I just went to the Texas DMV to enquire about getting a drivers licence and I was informed that I cannot even take the written test until I have a greencard! I didn't have a full licence in my home country. Has nayone else come across this and is there another way to get around it? It is bad enough that I cannot work for awhile, let alone go anywhere!

Thanks in advance for any help

Jenna

Edited February 9, 2007 by antocru

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Has anyone looked into this?

Adults Visiting California

Visitors over 18 years old with

a valid driver license from their

home state or country may drive in

California without getting a driver

license as long as their home state

license remains valid.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/dl600.pdf

...and you aren't considered a resident until you are working. (See 'New Residents')

So, as I'm understanding the law, for those K-1 and K-3 beneficiaries who already have valid licenses from their country of origin do NOT need to go out and get a license until you have gotten your Green Card.

[jennac13 0]

Haha yes I guess that is probably what will happen!

I WILL NOT BE STUCK IN MY HOUSE ALL DAY FOR THE NEXT 3 MONTH OR HOWEVER LONG IT WILL TAKE!

So you've decided to get a bicycle?

[Delete This 0]

As most have reported a green card is required in order to obtain a Texas DL. If you have a DL form another country it is permissible to drive in TX for up to one year as long as the lisencing country has reciprocity. http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administratio...s_dl_id.htm#q51

The web link below provides a list of acceptible documentation required to prove identity, a necessary step in getting a TX DL

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administratio...equirements.htm

Cheers

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Just an FYI on what documentation is acceptable for obtaining an DL in California:

Only the original or a certified copy of one of the following documents is acceptable:

* US Birth Certificate

* US Certificate or Report of Birth Abroad

* Federal Proof of Indian Blood Degree

* INS American Indian Card

* Birth Certificate or passport issued from a US Territory

* US Passport

* US Military Identification Cards (Active or reserve duty, dependent, retired member, discharged from service, medical/religious personnel)

* Common Access Card (only if designated as Active military or Active Reserve or Active Selected Reserve)

* Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship

* Northern Mariana Card

* INS US Citizen ID Card

* Permanent Resident Card

* Temporary Resident Identification Card

* Canadian Passport/Birth Certificate

* Non-resident Alien Canadian Border Crossing Card

* Valid foreign passport with a valid Record of Arrival/Departure (form I-94)

* Certification from California Department of Corrections or California Youth Authority

* Employment Authorization Card

* Permanent Resident Re-entry Permit

* Refugee travel document

* "Processed for I-551" stamped in a valid foreign passport

* Valid I-94 stamped "Refugee," "Parole or Parolee," "Asylee," or Section 207, Section 208, Section 209, Section 212d(2), HP or PIP

* Immigration judge's order granting asylum

* Certified court order or judgment issued from a court of competent jurisdiction.

* Valid I-94 with attached photo stamped "Processed for I-551 temporary evidence of lawful admission for permanent residence"

* Notice of Action (I-797 Approved Petition)

* Mexican Border Crossing Card with valid I-94

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.htm#BDLP

[SoL. 0]

Hello,

In case there's anybody from Missouri, I found the requirements for Non USC's:

-SSN

If there's not a SSN available, a letter from SSA regarding the status of the SSN

Proof of residency (Can be an utility bill, paycheck, etc.)

Proof of lawful permanent residence:

- I-551 (Resident Alien Card)

- Passport stamped with "Approved 1-551"

-Passport stamped with "Processed for 1-551"

-Reentry Permit 1-327

- I-194 stamped "Processed for I-551"

Aplicants for AOS:

-EAD 1-688B or I-766 or Passport

K-1 & K-3

I-194 and passport

http://www.dor.mo.gov/mvdl/drivers/idrequirements.pdf

[drpepper1109 0]

Jenna,

I got my license using my EAD as ID. It expires in Oct 2007, but my license has an exp. of 2013! If you are yet to get an EAD, you can drive on your UK license for upto 1 year. I did this for 4 months before getting my TX license. The car insurance company also had no problem insuring me using my UK license.

James.