Adjustment of Status & Drivers Lisence

[benjaminSA 0]

Hey Guys

Sorry if this question has been asked and answered in the past.

Just point me in the right directions.

Thanks for all the great advise and help !!

I have my work permit, I am waiting for adjustment of status and I have been in the US for 8 months now.

I am a South African, married to an American, and I am using my SA drivers license.

We live in California.

I was wondering how it works when you get a new drivers license in the US.

I have had my SA drivers license for 9 years now. Will I have to take a driving test again in the US ?

Do I have to take a written test ?

How does it work ?

Have anybody had some experience in this ?

THANKS FOR THE HELP !!!!!!!

[payxibka 10,047]

Issuance of Driver's licenses are a state controlled issue so you will need to look at California's requirements

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/

[perfect 39]

In California you have to take your written and practical driving test and are supposed to make an appoication for DL wihtin ten days of moving here!

See website link in previous resopnse for full details.

[bradcanuck 1]

1) You will need to take a written test first

2) You will be required to take a driven test

3) You will have to provide a Passport as valid evidence + any paperwork for AOS/EAD

I just went through this. It's painless.

Thought for me it was a STUPID thing having to take the driven test as I went through 3x worse of a process in Canada. The license should have just transfered over but they don't in California.

[athena_ny 1]

In California you have to take your written and practical driving test and are supposed to make an appoication for DL wihtin ten days of moving here!

See website link in previous resopnse for full details.

And I SHOULD have not waited 3 months to get my FL driver's license...and I SHOULD HAVE registered my car sooner than a year after I brought it here - shoulda coulda woulda, they're not going to deny you a license for not doing it within their time "limits".

Edited October 11, 2007 by meow mix

[DAN02006 0]

1) You will need to take a written test first

2) You will be required to take a driven test

3) You will have to provide a Passport as valid evidence + any paperwork for AOS/EAD

I just went through this. It's painless.

Thought for me it was a STUPID thing having to take the driven test as I went through 3x worse of a process in Canada. The license should have just transfered over but they don't in California.

Hi ! I am waiting for my EAD so that I can get my proof of legal status and get my CA Drivers License. In your post above you mentioned you just went through it...So did you use EAD card or something else is required to sarisfy DMV???

thanks

Dano

[bradcanuck 1]

1) You will need to take a written test first

2) You will be required to take a driven test

3) You will have to provide a Passport as valid evidence + any paperwork for AOS/EAD

I just went through this. It's painless.

Thought for me it was a STUPID thing having to take the driven test as I went through 3x worse of a process in Canada. The license should have just transfered over but they don't in California.

Hi ! I am waiting for my EAD so that I can get my proof of legal status and get my CA Drivers License. In your post above you mentioned you just went through it...So did you use EAD card or something else is required to sarisfy DMV???

thanks

Dano

Each person at the window is different (just like each immigration officer changes the rules). I personally just used my passport. Others I know needed proof of adjusting status (at least in the PROCESS of doing so).

Go down with the passport and try, worst thing they can do is say you need to come back later with -insert what they want here-.

[perfect 39]

For California - here is what you need as K-visa immigrant:

State law requires every applicant for an original California identification (ID) card and driver license to show verification of birth date and proof of legal presence within the United States to help safeguard the accuracy and integrity of departmental documents.

If your current name no longer matches the name on your birth date/legal presence document, see "True Full Name" and "How to Change Your Name" for more information.

Only the original or a certified copy of one of the following documents is acceptable:

Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship

Permanent Resident Card

Valid foreign passport with a valid Record of Arrival/Departure (form I-94)

Employment Authorization Card

Permanent Resident Re-entry Permit

"Processed for I-551" stamped in a valid foreign passport

Valid I-94 with attached photo stamped "Processed for I-551 temporary evidence of lawful admission for permanent residence"

Notice of Action (I-797 Approved Petition) Not NOA proving you have sent it off to be processed!!

Limited Term Legal Presence

All original and pending driver license or identification cards will expire on the expiration date of his/her birth date/legal presence document (BD/LP) issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Your BD/LP document must have an expiration date 30 or more days from your application date. If your BD/LP document has an expiration date less than 30 days, you will not be able to start a driver license or identification card application.

If your BD/LP document has an expiration date of less than 60 days, you may complete your licensing requirements (written/vision/driving tests), but you will need to submit another BD/LP document with an expiration date of 60 days or more before your driver license or identification card is mailed to you.

Before your limited term driver license expires, the department will mail out an “extension” letter with instructions on how to complete your application for a driver license.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.htm#BDLP

[ling 0]

For California - here is what you need as K-visa immigrant:

State law requires every applicant for an original California identification (ID) card and driver license to show verification of birth date and proof of legal presence within the United States to help safeguard the accuracy and integrity of departmental documents.

If your current name no longer matches the name on your birth date/legal presence document, see "True Full Name" and "How to Change Your Name" for more information.

Only the original or a certified copy of one of the following documents is acceptable:

Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship

Permanent Resident Card

Valid foreign passport with a valid Record of Arrival/Departure (form I-94)

Employment Authorization Card

Permanent Resident Re-entry Permit

"Processed for I-551" stamped in a valid foreign passport

Valid I-94 with attached photo stamped "Processed for I-551 temporary evidence of lawful admission for permanent residence"

Notice of Action (I-797 Approved Petition) Not NOA proving you have sent it off to be processed!!

Limited Term Legal Presence

All original and pending driver license or identification cards will expire on the expiration date of his/her birth date/legal presence document (BD/LP) issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Your BD/LP document must have an expiration date 30 or more days from your application date. If your BD/LP document has an expiration date less than 30 days, you will not be able to start a driver license or identification card application.

If your BD/LP document has an expiration date of less than 60 days, you may complete your licensing requirements (written/vision/driving tests), but you will need to submit another BD/LP document with an expiration date of 60 days or more before your driver license or identification card is mailed to you.

Before your limited term driver license expires, the department will mail out an “extension” letter with instructions on how to complete your application for a driver license.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.htm#BDLP

so that means the NOA for the AOS and EAD could not be used to secure a driver's licenese here in CA. we really have to wait for the employment authorization card or permaent resident card.