Driver's license in MARYLAND

[blackeyedsusan 29]

Hi all,

I know every state is a little different, so I am seeking information specifically related to Maryland driver's license. My fiance entered on a K-1 on May 25, wedding was July 8, we filed for AOS on August 9. His I-94 expires on August 22 and we have not received the AOS NOA yet. The lady at the MVA told us if he got a driver's license now, that it would expire when his I-94 does and we would have to bring back more documentation to renew it. Of course she couldn't say what that documentation might be, but I'm assuming the NOA? They went ahead and took his photo and he's taken the written test a few times but hasn't passed. Should we just hold off until we get the NOA? He doesn't have to wait for his EAD, does he?

[Pitaya 2,577]

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[Noel194 53]

Maryland is tough or incompetent. You choose. We went through this a few years back and they demanded a Employment Authorization or Travel Document. They would not accept the NOA. When we recieved the EAD they said they could not electronically verify the authenticity of the document so they had to do it via mail it took 8 weeks. After the verification came back they said they could not verify the social security number either so they had to do it via mail as well. After another 6 weeks I lost my patients and called my US Rep and State Delegate. We recieved a call from the MVA 2 days later telling us we could come in for her licenses. It will get worse wait until your insurance company finds out your spouse has not been licensed to drive in the USA. They treat them like a new 16 year old driver for premiums. It reduced somewhat after 2 years. Good luck

[yuna628 9,676]

Sorry I did not see this post until now. In Maryland yes, you will need to wait until you receive an EAD for your earliest opportunity to get a drivers license or ID that is good for about a year. When you receive your Green card you can renew your license for a longer period of time. It is also very helpful that you have an SSN and your name on some other documents as evidence. You'd be hard pressed to find an MVA that would accept an NOA. For a K1, your I94 is only good for 90 days at entry, so yes, if you attempted to get a license in that period it would only be valid for that long. So no point.

The MVA will also require, if you have a license already from another country: in addition to the written and road test, a 3hr Drug and Alcohol seminar/test. You have to make the appointment for it at an approved location. Ours was at the Y. The cost comes out of your pocket. The seminar instructor will have you fill out forms and will fax the certificate of completion to the MVA.

The process is fairly easy on immigrants that already know how to drive and spend time studying up the very much shortened drivers booklet... so long as your information is verified in the system already and you have an officer that knows how to handle you.

Edited September 3, 2016 by yuna628

[blackeyedsusan 29]

Thanks for your replies. So is he okay to be driving with his Haitian license? They said yes at the MVA, but that was before his I-94 expired. I guess there really isn't any point in him taking the written test again until he gets his EAD? And I asked my insurance how much it will be to add him and they talked initially like it won't be much, since he's not a new driver. I guess we shall see what happens once I add him on.

[aleac 75]

Hi All,
I'll be getting married and moving to MD in Mid-December.
All the information above was really helpful.

Quick question: I've got an Argentinean Driver's license that expires in 2019. Would that allow me to drive until I receive the EAD?

Thanks!

[yuna628 9,676]

Hi All,

I'll be getting married and moving to MD in Mid-December.

All the information above was really helpful.

Quick question: I've got an Argentinean Driver's license that expires in 2019. Would that allow me to drive until I receive the EAD?

Thanks!

If your I94 runs out before you receive your EAD (and most likely it will), then no.

[AshMarty 360]

Hi All,  

 

I am just now going through this process now with my husband. We live in Maryland and he is currently driving on his Australian license. Is it okay from him to drive on it until his I-94 expires (which is next month)?

 

I read on another thread they are only allowed to drive on it for 60 days in Maryland because at that point he is considered a resident. But it is all confusing because of the K1 non resident status and the fact that the DMV phones are always busy and you can't talk to someone.