Driver License while AoS? (split)

[ctktw 0]

Just to share my experience: 

I came in with K1 visa to Los Angeles. I passed the drive test and got my temporary driver license with an expiry date in 1 week after the drive test because that's why my I94 expires. That means I was only able to drive this week...  I did a lot of research online, like this thread (thanks for sharing btw), CA DMV website, information about AB60. 

 

I went to 3 DMV and finally got another temporary license for another 3.5 months. At least I can keep driving legally! Here's what happened:

 

- DMV 1 said they can't get me my extension, not even for the temporary license, they can't give me a license as I don't have a legal presence. I can only get an extension of my temporary license / get an official license (I applied for Real ID)  when I get my approved EAD or GC. I asked if I can then just start a new application for just a regular DL, they said yes, but then they will need to send my passport info for review, as my existing application for Real ID was done via my VISA. (I am not sure if she was talking about AB60 because I didn't know about AB 60 yet) If I start a new application, my existing application will be removed and I might have to wait for a couple of months to get this new application approved.

 

So I drove to another DMV.

 

- DMV 2 said, as you don't have legal presence, you can't do anything now. You should apply for AB 60. In order to apply for AB60, you need to wait until your I94 expires (next week). So I came back home and searched for info on AB60, including this post. Some info I found online said AB60 might indeed take quite some months.. but I would really need to drive. 

 

So I decided to go to the 3rd DMV the next day (Friday, so it's the last day before my temporary license expires)

 

- DMV 3 looked at my case and my I797C, Biometric Appointment Receipt, I94, passport. I explained my case. I said I am still waiting for my GC to be approved but I want to be legally able to drive,  She said she understood and just said ok she would try something. And then she gave me a new temporary license for another 3.5 months. Of course she mentioned that I would still need to have my GC to be able to get an official DL/ID. 

 

To be honest I am not sure if there's any best practices. I think I was lucky and the staff was nice at DMV 3 so I could get another temporary license to be able to drive for the moment.

 

[Ontarkie 14,229]

~~Post split off of zombie thread.~~