ANY ONE From N.C who is going through AOS

[Jen&Aaron 0]

Just wanted to add something as we just got back from trying to get Chris' DL.

According to the guy who was serving us: Chris is not able to get a DL due to not having a valid VISA.

Yes he can work legally, yes he can have a social security card and pay taxes legally...but according to the copy sheet the gentleman was reading (for three minutes) it states that he can't get a DL.

I am so irritated at the moment. Hopefully the fact that we were transfered to Cali will mean out AOS will be sorted within the month...and that is just wishful.

But tell me this, how on earth do they expect people to pay for themselves to live if they can't drive to work legally...?

We don't live in a town that has public transportation...

We are doing this correctly, with the right paperwork, and waiting just like we should...we have the money to buy a car to help boost the economy which then would allow a job, to help pay for NC taxes. So how is it he can't have a DL. Backwards.

Gosh, it sounds insane! Now I'm worried because I'm planning to go for my license in Raleigh next week and I'm in the same situation - I have my EAD and social security number but I'm still pending AOS.

I'm wondering if, as your DMV guy said, your husband is not considered a resident then does it mean he can still use his overseas license to drive until his AOS is approved? The NC law just states that you are required to get an NC license within 60 days of becoming a resident. I notice there is hardly any information on the NC DMV site about international drivers.

I fully sympathise with your frustration! It's like the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing.

[ajames79 0]

Just wanted to add something as we just got back from trying to get Chris' DL.

According to the guy who was serving us: Chris is not able to get a DL due to not having a valid VISA.

Yes he can work legally, yes he can have a social security card and pay taxes legally...but according to the copy sheet the gentleman was reading (for three minutes) it states that he can't get a DL.

I am so irritated at the moment. Hopefully the fact that we were transfered to Cali will mean out AOS will be sorted within the month...and that is just wishful.

But tell me this, how on earth do they expect people to pay for themselves to live if they can't drive to work legally...?

We don't live in a town that has public transportation...

We are doing this correctly, with the right paperwork, and waiting just like we should...we have the money to buy a car to help boost the economy which then would allow a job, to help pay for NC taxes. So how is it he can't have a DL. Backwards.

Gosh, it sounds insane! Now I'm worried because I'm planning to go for my license in Raleigh next week and I'm in the same situation - I have my EAD and social security number but I'm still pending AOS.

I'm wondering if, as your DMV guy said, your husband is not considered a resident then does it mean he can still use his overseas license to drive until his AOS is approved? The NC law just states that you are required to get an NC license within 60 days of becoming a resident. I notice there is hardly any information on the NC DMV site about international drivers.

I fully sympathise with your frustration! It's like the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing.

DON'T WORRY..I feel like you will be fine.

I emailed the DOT and just got a reply today! YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAY! I feel great cause I knew I was right! The local office is wrong and doesn't understand the paperwork. The gentleman got in touch with me today (from the DOT) and will be getting in touch with our local office to clear up the confusion. Best thing is Chris got his Perm Res Card yesterday and we got his DL today so...we won't have to deal with it again for 2 years. I would be worried about it if we had to go back and say umm sir, you are wrong, no give us his DL. Cause he might not be so nice to us!!

Ohh and according to our friend who is a Sheriff and the DMV our husbands (in my case) British DL doesn't work here. If they were pulled over they would get a ticket for "Driving without a License". Some states do allow them to be used our state does not. (cept for the 60 day limit I guess)

Good luck! I want to hear how it goes for you!

[Jen&Aaron 0]

DON'T WORRY..I feel like you will be fine.

I emailed the DOT and just got a reply today! YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAY! I feel great cause I knew I was right! The local office is wrong and doesn't understand the paperwork. The gentleman got in touch with me today (from the DOT) and will be getting in touch with our local office to clear up the confusion. Best thing is Chris got his Perm Res Card yesterday and we got his DL today so...we won't have to deal with it again for 2 years. I would be worried about it if we had to go back and say umm sir, you are wrong, no give us his DL. Cause he might not be so nice to us!!

Ohh and according to our friend who is a Sheriff and the DMV our husbands (in my case) British DL doesn't work here. If they were pulled over they would get a ticket for "Driving without a License". Some states do allow them to be used our state does not. (cept for the 60 day limit I guess)

Good luck! I want to hear how it goes for you!

Excellent! I'm glad you were right and not the guy otherwise getting an EAD here would be pretty much pointless! Thank you for letting me know - and congratulations on Chris getting his greencard!!!

I'm curious about the overseas license thing for North Carolina because I think I did read somewhere that they don't accept them in NC but then how do international tourists drive here!? I was just assuming that, if they don't consider me a resident until I have a greencard, then I'm considered a tourist so should be able to drive with my Australian license ... surely tourists are allowed to drive in NC!

[Reba 2]

a tourist is a tourist and is usually not planning to stay longer than 60 days! If however you live here, you have to have an NC license within 60 days. Even someone whose moved here from another US state must have their license changed to an NC one within 60 days.

As was posted, the guy at the DMV had it wrong. To establish residency in the state (from my own experience) all you need is your ID and some "official" mail with your current NC address on it. I took my passport that had my K3 in it, and my NOA from my AOS application and my ITIN (I didn't have SSN yet) with me and that was all I needed.

For K1s its a bit different and you have to wait til you have your EAD though because the K1 is only valid 90 days.

[eau_xplain 2]

a tourist is a tourist and is usually not planning to stay longer than 60 days! If however you live here, you have to have an NC license within 60 days. Even someone whose moved here from another US state must have their license changed to an NC one within 60 days.

As was posted, the guy at the DMV had it wrong. To establish residency in the state (from my own experience) all you need is your ID and some "official" mail with your current NC address on it. I took my passport that had my K3 in it, and my NOA from my AOS application and my ITIN (I didn't have SSN yet) with me and that was all I needed.

For K1s its a bit different and you have to wait til you have your EAD though because the K1 is only valid 90 days.

Just a note. NC DMV no longer accepts ITINs. They now require SSNs and want to see the actual SS card.

[jlivings99 0]

From the NC DMV website:

"The law enforcement authorities in North Carolina do not honor an International Driver License. A valid license issued by a government agency from a home state or country is required to legally drive in this State."

As long as you have a valid drivers license from your home country and do not yet qualify to have a NC license you are fine to drive.