Horrible experience trying to get a driver's license

[Dwarf_Ogress 0]

I'm feeling so incredibly bad right now

I went to the DPS today to get my learner's permit. I had my passport with K1 visa(with alien number of course), I-94 valid until jan 10, SSN card, Marriage certificate, liability insurance with my name on it, NOA1 for AOS

And I wasn't allowed to get a license

Why? because you need an I-94 valid for at least a year

Options given by the DPS = have the I-94 extended for a year (what??? is that even possible? I don't think so. I called USCIS, they said it's not possible to extend the I-94)

Wait until you have your green card (!!!!!!!!!)

Options provided by me

I should get my EAD I-765 in about 1-2 months, would that be valid identification? - DPS answer: no

Options being considered right now:

*Schedule an infopass appointment with San Antonio office see if they can extend my I-94, or what can they do (Should I even bother??)

Big question: What option would I choose when making the inforpass appointment

TX DPS web site states:

Forms of primary identification

-Resident Alien Card (I-551)

-Temporary Resident Identification Card (I-688)

-Employment Authorization Card (I-688A, I-688B or I-766)

-Border Crosser Card (USA B1/B2, VISA/BBC

-A Foreign Passport with a visa (valid or expired) and: Form I-94 with status code F1 or F2, an unexpired Form I-20, and evidence of current enrollment in an educational institution located in Texas or sponsorship in a visiting working program:

-Form I-94 with status code J-1 or J-2 and an unexpired Form IAP-66 or Form DS-2019 or: Unexpired Form I-94 with a defined expiration date: Form I-94 must have been issued for a period of at least one year and have at least six months validity remaining.

Source: TX DPS

Why does it say "Employment Authorization Card (I-688A, I-688B or I-766)" and not list I-765? Does I-766 exist or is this a mistake on the website?

I feel horrible

Saludos,

Caro

Same thing happened to Marlon and I here in Mesa, Arizona. Guess we just have to wait until the greencards come. Chin up my dear Caro! *HUGS*

[Otto 83]

Caro,

Here is what we did (I get the feeling we kind of got lucky, but here's our story):

As soon as Karin got here we applied for (and 2 weeks later received) a Social Security Card. After that we went to the Texas DL office (downtown, kind of near the Capitol) and got a Texas ID. The ID arrived about 2 weeks later.

So far, no hassles.

After we got married (not related to the DL story, but was a distraction for about a week or so), and studied for the test, we went down to the DPS (N. Lamar location, next to the main DPS station) and applied for the DL. Here's where we either got lucky or things worked the way they're supposed to... They looked at he Social Security Card, the Texas ID and in we went (Karin has a German DL, but the lady didn't want to see it, I guess it doesn't matter since she was having to take both the written and driving test anyway - welcome to Texas).

Karin goes in to the testing area - 15 minutes later she has a receipt saying she passed. Later (next week) we returned to do the driving portion - all they look at is the Texas ID and the receipt for passing the test. After waiting our turn and a 10 minute drive around the block - we're done - go inside to turn in the 'stuff' and two weeks later a shiny DL is in the mail.

No EAD, No AOS, no unexpired I-94...

[JVKn'CVO 11]

Thank you NowMrs, I will (snif...blows on yet another kleenex...)

Karin, what is that TX ID you mentioned? is it different from the TX driver's license? How do you get it? I've never heard of it! We went to the South Congress office, (south DPS office), are you talking about the office in 1500 North Congress Avenue?

Saludos,

Caro

[Otto 83]

Hi Caro,

usually your driver' license is your identification card, but for people who do not have a license or don't need or want one they can order the TX ID (it looks like a driver's license). We applied for this at 1500 North Congress Avenue.

Good luck and best wishes

Karin

[JVKn'CVO 11]

Hi Caro,

usually your driver' license is your identification card, but for people who do not have a license or don't need or want one they can order the TX ID (it looks like a driver's license). We applied for this at 1500 North Congress Avenue.

Good luck and best wishes

Karin

Thank you Karin!! that's really good advise, we'll try that on tuesday, wish me luck!!!!!!

Saludos,

Caro

[JVKn'CVO 11]

Just came back from the north office, tried to get a state ID, no luck

This su*ks

at least they were not nasty, like the south office

I guess there's nothing left to do but wait for the blessed EAD card

Saludos,

Caro

[miles 0]

I am planning to get a drivers license here in NJ but still,I am not ready to take the exam because I am not used to drive here not like in my country. I have to study first the drivers manual book to pass the test. So, I will just take first the State Card for ID before taking a Drivers License. Hey guys...Hows the exam ???Is it hard or is it easy ???

[JVKn'CVO 11]

I am planning to get a drivers license here in NJ but still,I am not ready to take the exam because I am not used to drive here not like in my country. I have to study first the drivers manual book to pass the test. So, I will just take first the State Card for ID before taking a Drivers License. Hey guys...Hows the exam ???Is it hard or is it easy ???

I wish I could tell you

Saludos,

Caro

[Otto 83]

I am planning to get a drivers license here in NJ but still,I am not ready to take the exam because I am not used to drive here not like in my country. I have to study first the drivers manual book to pass the test. So, I will just take first the State Card for ID before taking a Drivers License. Hey guys...Hows the exam ???Is it hard or is it easy ???

For the most part, if you read through the Driving Book the state gives out - paying attention to the do's and don'ts, brush up on the signs you should be OK. It's not tough, but if you haven't gone through the book (even if you're an experienced US driver) you might have a hard time. In Texas you need 70% so that's not difficult (I think it's 35 questions if you have to answer them all - the tests stops once you reach 70%).

[morktuum 0]

i got the same misfortune at the Kansas DMV and here in Kansas city's suburbs, you need a car or else, you're f***ed. i do walk long distance but buisness here are far... and the bus transit is ridiculously ( sorry for the expression ) shitty...

i had to use my wife's car twice without a licence because she were drunk...

oh well, it's the waiting game i have to play for that too i guess

[Texanadian 10]

Why do you want a TX driver's license? In Texas, you get a safety/emissions test, then register your car and buy insurance, then get a TX driver's license. (in that order)

I don't know if an Argentinian driver's license is valid in the USA or not.

You don't need to take a TX driver's test if you surrender your old out of country driver's license. If you want to keep your old foreign license, then yes you would need to take the driver's test.

[JVKn'CVO 11]

i got the same misfortune at the Kansas DMV and here in Kansas city's suburbs, you need a car or else, you're f***ed. i do walk long distance but buisness here are far... and the bus transit is ridiculously ( sorry for the expression ) shitty...

i had to use my wife's car twice without a licence because she were drunk...

oh well, it's the waiting game i have to play for that too i guess

I hear 'ya, waiting brother

Why do you want a TX driver's license? In Texas, you get a safety/emissions test, then register your car and buy insurance, then get a TX driver's license. (in that order)

I don't know if an Argentinian driver's license is valid in the USA or not.

You don't need to take a TX driver's test if you surrender your old out of country driver's license. If you want to keep your old foreign license, then yes you would need to take the driver's test.

I don't have an argentinian driver's license, that's why I was trying to get a learner's permit

Car is already registered and we have insurance in both Justin's and my name...

Saludos,

Caro

[Texanadian 10]

Ahhh, no license at all. That changes everything.

I'm afraid I don't have advice for that one.

[miles 0]

I am planning to get a drivers license here in NJ but still,I am not ready to take the exam because I am not used to drive here not like in my country. I have to study first the drivers manual book to pass the test. So, I will just take first the State Card for ID before taking a Drivers License. Hey guys...Hows the exam ???Is it hard or is it easy ???

For the most part, if you read through the Driving Book the state gives out - paying attention to the do's and don'ts, brush up on the signs you should be OK. It's not tough, but if you haven't gone through the book (even if you're an experienced US driver) you might have a hard time. In Texas you need 70% so that's not difficult (I think it's 35 questions if you have to answer them all - the tests stops once you reach 70%).

Thanks Karin und Otto for your reply. One more question if you don't mind. I have my a Non- Professional drivers license issued from my country 2 years ago, Does it help you in some way to attain a DL here in US? Do I have to submit it????Thanks.

Miles

[Otto 83]

Why do you want a TX driver's license? In Texas, you get a safety/emissions test, then register your car and buy insurance, then get a TX driver's license. (in that order)

I don't know if an Argentinian driver's license is valid in the USA or not.

You don't need to take a TX driver's test if you surrender your old out of country driver's license. If you want to keep your old foreign license, then yes you would need to take the driver's test.

Technically you must buy (show proof of) insurance prior to getting your vehicle inspected (safety and/or emissions) and before registering it.

Thanks Karin und Otto for your reply. One more question if you don't mind. I have my a Non- Professional drivers license issued from my country 2 years ago, Does it help you in some way to attain a DL here in US? Do I have to submit it????Thanks. Miles

It doesn't help (didn't help us) - if you've never been licensed in the US (or your out-of-state license is expired) you have to take both the written and driving tests. I think they can (or may) ask you to surrender your foreign DL - they didn't ask for ours (out of state DL holders will definitely be asked to surrender it). There's no provision that I've seen that allows a foreign DL holder to skip the tests if they surrender their foreign DL.

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