Am I allowed to take written driver's test in Ca with expired I-94?

[Matiola 8]

29 minutes ago, SusieQQQ said:

 

I would strongly suggest you do NOT get an AB60 license. Undocumented immigrants get AB60 licenses. Producing one somewhere even if you are legal and perfectly fine may lead to uncomfortable situations because the assumption will be that you are undocumented.

Is it ONLY for undocumented immigrants? What is the difference of this type of DL and regular DL? What are restrictions? Can I just pass written test for this AB-60 DL and then come (in 2 months) with my EAD for behind the wheel test and get regular DL? I asked my husband, he does not know and, of course, there is no information about possible consequences on DMV website.

[Matiola 8]

4 minutes ago, Scandi said:

Maybe this link has an answer. https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/ab60

I read this but it did not help much(( I am legally in the country but I can not submit enough evidence of my status because I am between statuses. My only evidence is NOA from USCIS but people say DMV does not care about this, for them it is not an evidence.

[TM92 527]

2 hours ago, A&H2018 said:

when my EAD comes I will get a real ID since my i94 has only 2monrhs now on it now.

Just a possible warning for the OP and other VJ'ers from California (DMV could just have been really strict when I renewed my license in February because I have a Commercial Driver's License (CDL)): It's very probable that the DMV will issue your Real ID as "Limited-Term" and match the license expiration date to your AOS EAD expiration date.

Personal context for the warning: When I went to renew my license on February 27th I had a valid EAD based on TPS that was about to expire on March 9th. But they said they don't accept legal presence documents that expire in less than 30 days for the Real ID, so they started the process for a Federal Non-Compliant CDL (AB 60 is not an option for a CDL: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/pubs/newsrel/2017/2017_35). Fast forward 3.5 months later (and 2 temporary extensions): I call the Issuing Department in Sacramento ((916) 657-7790) on June 12 and they put me on a 5 min hold while they contact DHS. When they come back on the line they tell me my new license will arrive within 2 weeks. My license arrived 5 days ago but it was marked as "Limited-Term" and it expires next year when my AOS EAD expires (the EAD was approved on June 5). Silver Lining: I immediately call the Issuing Department in Sacramento and they inform me that when I renew my license next year that I shouldn't have to pay anything since the renewal fees I paid in February are valid till April 2023.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

5 minutes ago, Matiola said:

Is it ONLY for undocumented immigrants? What is the difference of this type of DL and regular DL? What are restrictions? Can I just pass written test for this AB-60 DL and then come (in 2 months) with my EAD for behind the wheel test and get regular DL? I asked my husband, he does not know and, of course, there is no information about possible consequences on DMV website.

No it’s not only technically, but it’s for those who can’t submit federally acceptable proof of ID or legal presence so the practical effect is that it is seen as something that an undocumented immigrant will have.

 

whatever you submit for your written test (my kid has just done one) will be what you get your license as. The documentation you submit for your learner permit is what is used to issue the DL off that permit. If you then want to change it to real ID you would need get the AB60 as that’s what you submitted for the permit, then apply again for a replacement  DL using real ID documentation (not a huge issue I guess but will be the hassle of a few hours and a few dollars at the dmv to do it). 

[Matiola 8]

29 minutes ago, SusieQQQ said:

No it’s not only technically, but it’s for those who can’t submit federally acceptable proof of ID or legal presence so the practical effect is that it is seen as something that an undocumented immigrant will have.

 

whatever you submit for your written test (my kid has just done one) will be what you get your license as. The documentation you submit for your learner permit is what is used to issue the DL off that permit. If you then want to change it to real ID you would need get the AB60 as that’s what you submitted for the permit, then apply again for a replacement  DL using real ID documentation (not a huge issue I guess but will be the hassle of a few hours and a few dollars at the dmv to do it). 

Thank you for an explanation. I will need to replace it anyway because i am going to change  my last name on ssn and accordingly on DL.

[TM92 527]

1 hour ago, Matiola said:

Thank you for an explanation. I will need to replace it anyway because i am going to change  my last name on ssn and accordingly on DL.

If your new name is listed on your marriage certificate you can use your new name on your first DL: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/dl/dl_info#truename

[Paul & Marina 53]

Welcome to the USA,

 

Best to check with DMV as they can give you the best information. Like others have said at you can get a a state ID card. You might also think about when you can get a Drivers License about going to a Driving School. The will provide class room information and you driving with a teacher. Have a safe start with driving. The time and money spent to help you be a safe driver is more than worth to cost & heart ache of having an accident.

 

I would think you need to have finger prints done again, ask DMV.

Edited July 2, 2018 by Paul & Marina
error

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

7 hours ago, Matiola said:

Thank you for an explanation. I will need to replace it anyway because i am going to change  my last name on ssn and accordingly on DL.

Ok, as tm92 pointed out you can present a marriage certificate, and as I said the issue of replacement is not the major issue, it’s a few hours time, but you can decide how comfortable you are with potentially being perceived to be undocumented. Maybe you don’t mind this happening. Not something I’d personally be comfortable with in the current climate depending who asks you for identification, but ymmv.

 

 

[A&H2018 146]

If your i-94 is valid they should let you apply for a permit/limited license like other poster said. If your i-94 is expired the AB-60 is the choice you have. The license is solely for state purposes which truly for anyone during AOS is driving only. You would never show the license to anyone else wondering. State police aint going to call ICE and ICE aint going to call state police. Still need valid verification for both.

[Matiola 8]

54 minutes ago, Paul & Marina said:

Welcome to the USA,

 

Best to check with DMV as they can give you the best information. Like others have said at you can get a a state ID card. You might also think about when you can get a Drivers License about going to a Driving School. The will provide class room information and you driving with a teacher. Have a safe start with driving. The time and money spent to help you be a safe driver is more than worth to cost & heart ache of having an accident.

 

I would think you need to have finger prints done again, ask DMV.

Thanks, of course, I will check with DMV. But as far as I know, people working there are not always nice so if I don’t ask, they don’t tell me. And probably they are not going to discuss which option is the best for me.I mean it is good to have more information and know which questions to ask. This is was my purpose of asking here))

[Matiola 8]

36 minutes ago, SusieQQQ said:

Ok, as tm92 pointed out you can present a marriage certificate, and as I said the issue of replacement is not the major issue, it’s a few hours time, but you can decide how comfortable you are with potentially being perceived to be undocumented. Maybe you don’t mind this happening. Not something I’d personally be comfortable with in the current climate depending who asks you for identification, but ymmv.

 

 

Thank you. The point is I don’t have any urgency of getting a DL. I just wanted to take written exam when I have time (to avoid being overloaded and overwhelmed with everything altogether when I get EAD). I even don’t plan to take real driving exam in the nearest 2 months. So, resuming this I make a conclusion that I would better wait. I will go to DMV anyway because I have an appointment tomorrow but  I am not going to apply for AB-60 DL.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

44 minutes ago, A&H2018 said:

If your i-94 is valid they should let you apply for a permit/limited license like other poster said. If your i-94 is expired the AB-60 is the choice you have. The license is solely for state purposes which truly for anyone during AOS is driving only. You would never show the license to anyone else wondering. State police aint going to call ICE and ICE aint going to call state police. Still need valid verification for both.

Well yes I guess she could also carry passport all the time if asked to show ID. Police are not the only ones who ask for it, banks sometimes do, some stores when using credit cards, even Disneyland to pick up tickets, all sorts of things, whatever. I’ve shown my ID countless times when asked, despite never having had a traffic stop.

[A&H2018 146]

1 minute ago, SusieQQQ said:

Well yes I guess she could also carry passport all the time if asked to show ID. Police are not the only ones who ask for it, banks sometimes do, some stores when using credit cards, even Disneyland to pick up tickets, all sorts of things, whatever. I’ve shown my ID countless times when asked, despite never having had a traffic stop.

Sorry I meant more so I am pretty sure OP or anyone in that situation is always carrying their passport to start with. Just meant this form of ID would only be to drive and if state police stopped you. Never had a traffic stop myself either, but as I am Canadian I do not carry around my passport, Canadian ID is accepted at banks etc....

[Matiola 8]

7 minutes ago, SusieQQQ said:

Well yes I guess she could also carry passport all the time if asked to show ID. Police are not the only ones who ask for it, banks sometimes do, some stores when using credit cards, even Disneyland to pick up tickets, all sorts of things, whatever. I’ve shown my ID countless times when asked, despite never having had a traffic stop.

I carry my passport but as I mentioned above I had issues with it) it is not accepted everywhere. So will need American ID anyway (state ID or regular DL)

[A&H2018 146]

Okay, my apologies my main focus was on driving within state lines. I did not know that cerain passports are rejected at certain places as ID.