Can one apply for a driver's license while waiting on AOS

[Koko bongo 2]

Hi Guys, i immigrated through the K-1 visa scheme. i'm now married and also gotten my SSN. Went to see a Dr today for my medical exam so we should be sending my AOS docs next week by God's grace.

My question is while waiting for my AOS to be approved can one apply for a state drivers license. Someone told me not to apply as the state will set it to expire on the date my K-1 visa expires.

He advised i should wait till my AOS is approved before i apply for the drivers license. However,  i'm not too sure about that information having already married and now have a SSN. I've been driving with an international drivers license and my home country local drivers license.

please, i need your feedback and expert knowledge on this. Sorry if this is not the right forum for this question. Thanks

[Unlockable 7,314]

This questions comes up a lot actually. It is one of the disadvantages of the K1 visa process. Many people have gone through the K1 process only to find that they have to sit at home without being able to drive or work for a few months after they enter the US.

 

The reason why this is discussed so much is because obtaining a drivers license is state (and sometimes even precinct) specific. Meaning whether or not you are able to obtain a DL before a green card depends on where you live. It is true that even if you are issued a DL it may only be limited to expire when you I94 does. So you will only have it for a few months. 

 

You could start calling the DMVs in your area and inquire about the requirements. You may have to wait until you have the GC in hand. With the Int'l Lic, you should be OK for the short term but you should also be aware of any limitations it may have.

 

Feel free to use search to look for other threads regarding driver's license and you will see many other similar threads.

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

***** Moving from K1 to AOS from K1 forum as Op as asking about that part of the process *****

[Talmanes 19]

I'm here on K-1 and I got a driver's license (transferred from Canada) in Connecticut. When I was at the DMV, the triage person (the person you see first who just checks all your paperwork and makes sure you have the right stuff) said there may be a problem due to the K-1 and me adjusting status, but otherwise the paperwork was fine. The person who actually processed my license didn't indicate any sort of problem and the license arrived in the mail 3 days later.

[sweetadams 138]

It depends on the state you are in. If you have money for renewal and you feel like driving around for the during of your I-94, then you should go ahead. If you get your GC afterwards, you can go and renew. The truth is since you can't work with your current status why not wait till you get your EAD and then get a DL before the GC so you can drive to work pending your GC.

 

My advice is my 2 cents opinion only.

[Koko bongo 2]

thanks guys.

[JSWH 262]

If you are in Texas, which indicated in your profile, you can find all information here http://www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/ApplyforLicense.htm. In Texas you can lawfully drive on driving license from your home country 90 days after your arrival. 

Once you send your AOS paperwork and get NOA1, you can apply for Texas driver license which will be valid up to 1 year. Once you get your green card you can renew your driver license, and it will be issued for a period of 6 years. 

[Wiz_Fit 26]

On 7/12/2017 at 0:36 AM, JSWH said:

If you are in Texas, which indicated in your profile, you can find all information here http://www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/ApplyforLicense.htm. In Texas you can lawfully drive on driving license from your home country 90 days after your arrival. 

Once you send your AOS paperwork and get NOA1, you can apply for Texas driver license which will be valid up to 1 year. Once you get your green card you can renew your driver license, and it will be issued for a period of 6 years. 

Wife got turned away today today for this. Said couldn't apply and needed to wait for EAD.

 

Our expedite request is approved so we tried to go ahead and get the license based on this  She even had a prior license from Florida as well as her old social security number from when she was here and lady told her the status was invalid in their system and couldn't be validated. Lady tried entering numbers and nothing, passport, msc etc and nothing? No idea what to enter.

[sweetadams 138]

10 minutes ago, Wiz_Fit said:

Wife got turned away today today for this. Said couldn't apply and needed to wait for EAD.

 

Our expedite request is approved so we tried to go ahead and get the license based on this  She even had a prior license from Florida as well as her old social security number from when she was here and lady told her the status was invalid in their system and couldn't be validated. Lady tried entering numbers and nothing, passport, msc etc and nothing? No idea what to enter.

The expedite request that was approved, was it for the EAD? You might give it some days to have them update your record on SAVE. You can try again next week.

[Wiz_Fit 26]

19 minutes ago, sweetadams said:

The expedite request that was approved, was it for the EAD? You might give it some days to have them update your record on SAVE. You can try again next week.

yep card is "being produced" so expedite and request approved. Will just wait for the EAD at this point, just upset wasted an hour and the gas to go there.

[sweetadams 138]

2 minutes ago, Wiz_Fit said:

yep card is "being produced" so expedite and request approved. Will just wait for the EAD at this point, just upset wasted an hour and the gas to go there.

It is understandable about the gas and time, the wait for the EAD is much closer than before. 

Congrats on your EAD.

[Gibus 202]

On 7/12/2017 at 12:36 AM, JSWH said:

If you are in Texas, which indicated in your profile, you can find all information here http://www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/ApplyforLicense.htm. In Texas you can lawfully drive on driving license from your home country 90 days after your arrival. 

Once you send your AOS paperwork and get NOA1, you can apply for Texas driver license which will be valid up to 1 year. Once you get your green card you can renew your driver license, and it will be issued for a period of 6 years. 

So you were able to get a 1 year valid driving license with just your I-797C right? I've a Texas DL but they didn't want to renew it because they said my VISA expired. I tried to show then their own documents where it says.

Applicants for adjustment of status Note: These are individuals applying to become lawful permanent residents.	Immigration documentation with an alien number or I-94 number This can include but is not limited to a form I-797 indicating pending I-485 or pending application for adjustment of status.

[Emeryx 38]

I can't even get my state ID until my EAD is accepted and i can't even go for a DL until i get my state ID. 😣

[ineedadisplayname 498]

18 hours ago, Emeryx said:

I can't even get my state ID until my EAD is accepted and i can't even go for a DL until i get my state ID. 😣

Been there done that....Also it depends on the state where you live.

I believe once you get the EAD you don't need to get a state ID first. You can use your EAD to get a DL.

I did the vision,driving, road sign/ dl test with my K1/I-94.

After passing got a sheet/form, witch is theoretically valid for a year, so when I get my EAD will go straight to the closest DMV to get my license. Be sure to have a social security number too.

Also you can get a DL on the K1 visa, but it will be valid only for 3 months so I decided to keep my foreign license instead because once the American would have expired it would be in their system and might be problematic if the cops stops me and they see that I have an expired US license.

Edited November 11, 2018 by ineedadisplayname

[Gibus 202]

I went again today to the Texas DPS, to try to renew my DL that expired at the same date as my K-1 visa. They took my I-797 to check on SAVE  with my alien number and it's gonna take a couple more days to get an answer from the DHS. I hope it will work and that I'll be able to renew my DL!