Do you get a Driver's license only with Green card in hand?

[minemar 96]

Hi guys

 

I don't know where to ask this so I will ask here. Mods I'm sorry in advance. 

I went today to the DMV in Danbury, Connecticut.

 

 

I went to the person in the front area (the one that gives you the ticket) and ask her about the procedure.  She instructed me to go online and fill the application form and pay the fee. Then take a test and then she suddenly stopped and asked me if I was an American citizen. I said no. She then ask me to provide my green card. I said it is in process. She stopped saying what was the next steps and told me I need the green card in order to get a driver's license. 

 

She practically dismissed me after that and didn't provide me more info. 

 

I really don't know if that's true.  I didn't read in the DMV website to be required to show the green card. I saw other people in VJ Successfully got their driver's license. 

 

I've never have a driver's license not even in my home country. I will need one here since there's no public transportation that works for me.

 

Any word of advice?

 

[mr-mrs-hdc 23]

Hey,

 

Check what your state DMV says it needs for identity and proof of status requirements. 

 

Usually, most states require SSN / Proof of Status (your i-797 notice of action) / and passport with visa / i-94. 

[ForeverYoung 26]

I'm in Texas. The state requires at least an EAD to apply for a driver's license.

[mallafri76 1,012]

It says on Connecticut's DMV that only USCs and permanent residents can get a verified driver's license.

 

http://www.ct.gov/dmv/lib/dmv/selectct/selectid_accpt_docs3.pdf

 

They also seem to have something called Drive only, which seems to mean you can drive on it but not use it as a form of ID;

 

http://www.ct.gov/dmv/cwp/view.asp?a=805&q=547212

[NYCruiser 423]

In New York, we have a system of points. One needs a minimum number of points. They want to see a valid visa in your passport or a Green Card. How did you apply to come in? K1? CR1? If you are under AOS did you get an EAD card? If so, show that. They will give you the DL with the validity of the EAD..ie 1 year. By that time your Green Card 'should' come through.

[Niia 22]

I just had this issue in Texas. Went the day after my AOS was accepted. Chose passport and I-94 as my legal status confirmation. They turned me away and said they have to request second verification through DHS. 

 

Then I went on the website and found out that Applicants for Adjustment of Status - applicants, not even green card holders or EAD holders - can apply for DL and that qualifies as legal presence. Went back to the DMV, argued for 20 minutes that that's what written in their documents, they finally looked and said oh you're right. But then again, no matter what the agent did she couldn't verify my status. Re-requested second verification. It came back and said we verified your legal status and you're qualified. That was about 4 weeks after my AOS was accepted. Finally got my license this week, hope this helps. 

Edited August 25, 2017 by Niia

[monica7777 40]

I live in the State of California and they accepted my I-551 passport stamp. However I only received a temporary license, which was basically a half sheet of paper. They explained that a DHS review in Sacramento was necessary and the drivers license would be sent at a later time. Four months went by and I never received any drivers license. At that point my GC had already arrived. So after I re-visited the DMV and showed them my GC, it took 3 days for my drivers license to arrive through the mail. Bottom line is, they really want to see you GC before issuing a drivers license.

[Mr Geminian 691]

When i entered on K-1 visa, I applied for a TEMPs and got it and the expiry date was the same as the expiry date of K1 visa. Anyways now i got a NOA1 after submitting AOS and that's enough for me to get a one year full driving license. I've already spoken to the local BMV and the asked me for the I-797C, Passport, proof of address & SS card. I guess every state's BMV works different ways. 

[AshMarty 360]

This question is asked all the time in the moving the to the US forum. I think the problem is employees at the DMVs don't even know the rules. 

 

After asking the same question here we were told we would not get a license in Maryland without an EAD or Greencard. We went for it anyways because at least he would be able to drive the length of his I94 and my husband was still legal to drive on his Australian license. Maryland looked at his NOA1 and looked him up in their federal immigration computer system (I forgot the name) and gave him a 10 month license.

 

It seems everyone has a different experience basically because the DMV employees don't always know the correct procedure. I would just give it a try and it the person doesn't seem to understand the procedure just another DMV.

 

I have attached another form that asked the same question. 

 

 

Edited August 28, 2017 by AshMarty

[AshMarty 360]

On 8/25/2017 at 0:01 AM, ForeverYoung said:

I'm in Texas. The state requires at least an EAD to apply for a driver's license.

A couple of different forums I have seen with people from Texas state they can get a drivers license with the NOA1 but it is just a matter of the employee of the DMV knowing the procedure.

 

There was also another forum with two people from Texas discussing getting a drivers license without a EAD/GC. One stated it was easy and the other stated they couldn't. The person that had an easy experience advised the other try another DMV that knows the procedures. FYI Just in case you wanted to give it another try  I just looked for the forum but couldn't find it again but I believe it was a more recent one in the moving to america section. 

 

[AshMarty 360]

On 8/25/2017 at 0:01 AM, ForeverYoung said:

I'm in Texas. The state requires at least an EAD to apply for a driver's license.

I just remembered where I saw the two Texas AOS discussing Texas driving license. It was the June 2017 filers, posted today. It is page 34 towards the end.

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

On 8/25/2017 at 6:32 AM, Niia said:

I just had this issue in Texas. Went the day after my AOS was accepted. Chose passport and I-94 as my legal status confirmation. They turned me away and said they have to request second verification through DHS. 

 

Then I went on the website and found out that Applicants for Adjustment of Status - applicants, not even green card holders or EAD holders - can apply for DL and that qualifies as legal presence. Went back to the DMV, argued for 20 minutes that that's what written in their documents, they finally looked and said oh you're right. But then again, no matter what the agent did she couldn't verify my status. Re-requested second verification. It came back and said we verified your legal status and you're qualified. That was about 4 weeks after my AOS was accepted. Finally got my license this week, hope this helps. 

Exactly what happened to me except I had read that b4 coming and was rdy for the fight lol

Good on ya! Mny come back here and say they couldn't get them to do it...but their own documents specifically say exactly what you said. It's a shame that there is not a national regulation for DL's.

[ForeverYoung 26]

24 minutes ago, AshMarty said:

A couple of different forums I have seen with people from Texas state they can get a drivers license with the NOA1 but it is just a matter of the employee of the DMV knowing the procedure.

 

There was also another forum with two people from Texas discussing getting a drivers license without a EAD/GC. One stated it was easy and the other stated they couldn't. The person that had an easy experience advised the other try another DMV that knows the procedures. FYI Just in case you wanted to give it another try  I just looked for the forum but couldn't find it again but I believe it was a more recent one in the moving to america section. 

 

Thanks for letting me know. We went to the DPS here in my city, and were told that I needed an EAD. I guess I'll return with the NOA1 and make my case again.

[AshMarty 360]

10 hours ago, ForeverYoung said:

Thanks for letting me know. We went to the DPS here in my city, and were told that I needed an EAD. I guess I'll return with the NOA1 and make my case again.

Good Luck! I have seen a lot of people in Texas get their Drivers license with their NOA1 for AOS on these forums

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

18 hours ago, ForeverYoung said:

Thanks for letting me know. We went to the DPS here in my city, and were told that I needed an EAD. I guess I'll return with the NOA1 and make my case again.

Print out the policy doc from their website and bring with you. It helped me - and apparently also others.