Temporary immigration VISA and a U.S. state driver's license

[JustAnotherJohn 2]

My wife entered the U.S. with a temporary visa, awaiting her GC. The state department assures us that the temporary visa should be enough to have a driver's license issued, but our state DMV is telling us we need to wait for the GC itself. Anybody know if the state is free to do so? And what do you think the chances are that the person we talked just didn't know what the #### he was talking about?

Edited May 28, 2021 by Ryan H
Reason for edit: to remove alternate spelling of profanity

[ineedadisplayname 499]

4 hours ago, JustAnotherJohn said:

My wife entered the U.S. with a temporary visa, awaiting her GC. The state department assures us that the temporary visa should be enough to have a driver's license issued, but our state DMV is telling us we need to wait for the GC itself. Anybody know if the state is free to do so? And what do you think the chances are that the person we talked just didn't know what the #### he was talking about?

Most likely very low. Which state are you talking about?

 

I was able to get a drivers license with the EAD. That was the earliest. Also you might be able to get a DL on a K1 visa, but that will expire in less than 90 days and after that you will drive with an expired license which is a no no. I used my European one and was very careful to drive safe and slow so won't get into any accident even tho was added to my spouse's car insurance as a secondary driver with my foreign DL.

Edited May 28, 2021 by Ryan H
Reason for edit: to remove alternate spelling of profanity in quote

[Dashinka 24,523]

Yeah, since DLs are state specific, the State Department can't really guarantee anything.  What state are you trying to get a DL in?  For instance, in MI, if someone is here on a B2 visa, they cannot get a DL even if the B2 is still in-status with a valid I94.  Is your wife still in status?

Edited May 27, 2021 by Dashinka

[Nitas_man 3,100]

57 minutes ago, JustAnotherJohn said:

My wife entered the U.S. with a temporary visa, awaiting her GC. The state department assures us that the temporary visa should be enough to have a driver's license issued, but our state DMV is telling us we need to wait for the GC itself. Anybody know if the state is free to do so? And what do you think the chances are that the person we talked just didn't know what the h*** he was talking about?

EAD/SS is usually the correct combination.  Most states anyway.  That’s on a K visa.

If she entered on an immigrant visa with an I-551 stamp she should be good to go.

 

Edited May 28, 2021 by Nitas_man

[payxibka 10,045]

4 hours ago, JustAnotherJohn said:

My wife entered the U.S. with a temporary visa, awaiting her GC. The state department assures us that the temporary visa should be enough to have a driver's license issued, but our state DMV is telling us we need to wait for the GC itself. Anybody know if the state is free to do so? And what do you think the chances are that the person we talked just didn't know what the #### he was talking about?

What is a temporary US visa and it is more likely that you are trying to get something not yet eligible 

Edited May 28, 2021 by Ryan H
Reason for edit: to remove alternate spelling of profanity in quote

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to Moving to the US and Your New Life In America forum.