Limited Term Driver License

[94-08412 3]

For those who entered the US via fiance/fiancee visa and have since married their USC petitioner, when you applied for your driver's license, were you given a limited term one? My husband was issued one but is only good for 90 days from date of his entry to the US. How do you renew it to get one with normal expiration? We live in AZ. I am really confused, because we provided them with proof that we have been married.

[Lenhey 5]

I´m not entering on a K1 visa but on a CR1. I have my international drivers license which is valid for a year. After that I will take the drivers test like any other USC to get the american license. I will be living in IA so don´t know if it´s any difference between those two states.

[Georgia16 2,858]

I´m not entering on a K1 visa but on a CR1. I have my international drivers license which is valid for a year. After that I will take the drivers test like any other USC to get the american license. I will be living in IA so don´t know if it´s any difference between those two states.

Just remember the IDL isn't always good for a year when you move there it depends on the state. Example Georgia I can only use it for 30 days then it can't be used anymore. If I had been a tourist then yes it would have been good for a year.

[Hypnos 6,578]

Your husband would likely need his EAD or green card to extend his driver's licence, since his legal presence expires when his I-94 does, until he files for AoS.

[A'n'L 735]

Your husband would likely need his EAD or green card to extend his driver's licence, since his legal presence expires when his I-94 does, until he files for AoS.

Some states also accept the I797c receipt from filing AOS. Other places you will most likely need EAD or green card.

[Hypnos 6,578]

Some, though not many. Some don't even accept EADs.

Edited May 27, 2016 by Hypnos

[templeton 120]

How do you renew it to get one with normal expiration?

Not until he gets the 10-year Green Card. Due to the nature of the process, K-1s need to renew their drivers licenses several times as a drivers license's expiry will be based on whatever ID he can use to prove legal presence.

When a K-1 first enters, their I-94 is only valid for 90 days, so that's what they're basing his current drivers license expiry on.

Once AOS is filed and he can show them his EAD/AP card, he should be able to renew his DL for one year (for which he will likely be charged a renewal fee).

Then he can renew it (and pay another renewal fee) for 2 years once he gets the Conditional Green Card.

Finally, once he has the 10 year Green Card he should be able to renew it (and pay another renewal fee) for whatever the normal expiration duration is (5 years?).

[craig5977 58]

We are going through this in Minnesota now, Maya first had her drivers license approved but could not get the actual license until we sent in NOA1 from the AOS process, her license was good for six months and then we went to the license center and showed them her EAD/AP card. Her new license was extended until her EAD/AP card expires next March 2017

The gentleman behind the counter told her once she gets her Green card stamp, she can come in and she will get a normal license with no conditions,

Minnesota at least does not charge a fee for a new license, just bring in paperwork.

Good Luck

Craig

[Unidentified 2,930]

I´m not entering on a K1 visa but on a CR1. I have my international drivers license which is valid for a year. After that I will take the drivers test like any other USC to get the american license. I will be living in IA so don´t know if it´s any difference between those two states.

You should check how many days you will actually be able to use it. The license just say it's valid for a year because it does't expect you to start using it the day you receive it. Most states only allow you to use it for 30 days as that is when they expect new residents to have gotten a new state ID.

[yuna628 9,727]

For those who entered the US via fiance/fiancee visa and have since married their USC petitioner, when you applied for your driver's license, were you given a limited term one? My husband was issued one but is only good for 90 days from date of his entry to the US. How do you renew it to get one with normal expiration? We live in AZ. I am really confused, because we provided them with proof that we have been married.

That's standard procedure for a DMV. You'll need to go back once your husband has obtained an EAD or Green Card. For instance an EAD, is good for about a year, and therefore the license will be issued also for that same period. You'll need to renew your license once you have switched to a Green Card, depending on your state law to receive a DL that does not have such a condition on it.

Edited May 27, 2016 by yuna628

[NikLR 13,232]

This varies by state obviously.

For instance in Colorado because I had a Canadian license that switched over like an out of state license, and my 2 year GC, I got a DL that was for 5 years (2018.)

But generally you need the EAD to even get a driver's license past 90 days.

[caliliving 606]

I always wondered why I never had an expiry date on my DL? i got it in 2007 and i had to show my SSN at the time and my i94 visa, but I never had any other questions and it was valid for 5 years and I was able to renew it online by paying the fees and I didn't need to show a valid visa?

[Pitaya 2,577]

~Moved from Fam.-based AOS Progress to Moving to the US and Your New Life in America Forum~

~Similar topics are often discussed at this forum~

[quesma 10]

Yes you get it till the date your I-94 expires. You will have to give DMV any proof of legal presence to renew the licence. Your husband will have to show notice I-797 or EAD card (if applied for) to renew the licence. DMV only issues licences till the date/duration/expiry they see on the legal document. Apply for Adjustment of Status if you have married and if you want to apply for EAD or Advance Parole do it with Adjustment of Status because you can apply these with Adjustment of Status these is no fee (only pay for Adjustment of Status). You will most probably get EAD first and when you do take it to DMV and get the licence extended.

PS: Yes he can drive on his international driver's licence but it depends on which country you are from (check with DMV), and for how long you can drive on it? ask DMV.

Cheers!