How do I apply for a US drivers licence once I enter on a K1 visa?

[Dutch88 27]

I couldn't find a proper answer searching on the internet. Once I enter the US on a K1, how do I apply for a drivers licence? Right now I have a European drivers licence.

[mollenne 11]

Each state has different regulations for obtaining a driver's license. Check with the official DMV or DDS website of that state. Make sure the webpage ends in ".gov" as sometimes people use http://www.dmv.org/ and it is NOT an official government page.

You will most likely need a social security number and either your I-766 (EAD card) or Green Card. You will most likely also need your unexpired foreign passport and at least 2 pieces of mail to use for proof of address. The DMV website for your state should have a list of criteria for non-U.S. Citizens.

[vosvis 2]

Unreal that someone could register a .gov domain, thought those were handled by the US government: http://www.wikiwand.com/en/.gov

Guess you can't be too careful now trusting that domain extension anymore. {I'm referring to take VISA websites that mimic the USCIS site but have .com extensions.}

[yuna628 9,676]

I couldn't find a proper answer searching on the internet. Once I enter the US on a K1, how do I apply for a drivers licence? Right now I have a European drivers licence.

You'll need to refer to the website and the state rules of where you will live.

Typically you can drive on your current license for a period of time. The issue for states is when it is defined as to when you become a 'resident' of that state. Each have their own definition.

Most states will not issue you a license or ID without having a SSN, proof of residency (so your name on a piece of mail - a federal agency or a joint bank statement or bill is usually good), and your EAD. You can apply for an SSN before you marry if you wish to.

You'll need to marry and adjust your status (you may also file for an EAD/AP and the fee for these two will be waived). The EAD will take up to 90 days after your biometrics appointment. Once you have it and all of the above, you go to your local DMV and follow their requirements. Typically the process is called a ''license exchange''. For our state you needed to pass the written test, the eye test, a 3hr seminar regarding dangerous driving, pay the fee, and pass a brief road test. If you pass all that you'll be issued a driving license that will last as long as your EAD. Once you receive your green card you go back to the DMV and renew the license again for a longer period of time (no further tests needed). DMVs usually make it a little easier for immigrants that have experience driving, rather than making a person start over completely fresh. But states will vary.

[tamcloud 92]

Unreal that someone could register a .gov domain, thought those were handled by the US government: http://www.wikiwand.com/en/.gov

Guess you can't be too careful now trusting that domain extension anymore. {I'm referring to take VISA websites that mimic the USCIS site but have .com extensions.}

That's a .com domain with a sub-directory or page called ".gov".

Edited March 16, 2016 by tamcloud