Getting an NYC Driver's License Before Green Card

[happiness268 14]

Dear Forum,

My apologies if this topic has been addressed before.

I noted that I would have to go through the entire process of getting a NYC Driver's Card even tho I have a license from my country of origin.

I just wanted to confirm that I could start the process of getting a learner's permit during the period that my Adjustment of Status is being process.

I noted from the website that I could use my Social Security card plus my foreign passport with visa and I-94. However, they did not make a stipulation about the K-1 visa.

I was hoping someone on the forum has gone through the process during their Adjustment of Status period before they received their green card.

Thanks much.

[heo luoi 206]

At least 2 DL related posts made today alone. One in the most popular for the day. Each state is different. Most states want some proof of local residency, bills/statements and identification of which SSN related proof is enough.

http://www.visajourney.com/search/?cx=partner-pub-3407508467788263%3A9725800110&cof=FORID%3A10&ie=UTF-8&q=drivers+license&sa=Search&siteurl=www.visajourney.com%2F&ref=www.visajourney.com%2Fforums%2Ftopic%2F567483-getting-an-nyc-drivers-license-before-green-card%2F&ss=2687j874471j15

#11 most popular as of today right now: http://www.visajourney.com/live/lastupdates.php?type=top

The local DMV will clearly have itemized lists of acceptable forms / requirements of identification.

http://dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/prove-identity-age-permitlicense

I would suggest calling them or visiting them specifically regarding K1 if you have a concern

You only have to accumulate enough POINTs. FOUR points. SS card, a bank statement, a credit card (from diff bank), a utility bill, foreign passport with 'visa' and i94. the I94 should be when you processed through POE. Combination of these should be 4 points easily.

[happiness268 14]

As I said before,

I have read the webiste and it states Foreign Passport with Visa and I-94. However, they give specific instruction for other visa categories and not K-1.

However, i will take your advice and call when I jump that hurdle.

At least 2 DL related posts made today alone. One in the most popular for the day. Each state is different. Most states want some proof of local residency, bills/statements and identification of which SSN related proof is enough.

http://www.visajourney.com/search/?cx=partner-pub-3407508467788263%3A9725800110&cof=FORID%3A10&ie=UTF-8&q=drivers+license&sa=Search&siteurl=www.visajourney.com%2F&ref=www.visajourney.com%2Fforums%2Ftopic%2F567483-getting-an-nyc-drivers-license-before-green-card%2F&ss=2687j874471j15

#11 most popular as of today right now: http://www.visajourney.com/live/lastupdates.php?type=top

The local DMV will clearly have itemized lists of acceptable forms / requirements of identification.

http://dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/prove-identity-age-permitlicense

I would suggest calling them or visiting them specifically regarding K1 if you have a concern

You only have to accumulate enough POINTs. FOUR points. SS card, a bank statement, a credit card (from diff bank), a utility bill, foreign passport with 'visa' and i94. the I94 should be when you processed through POE. Combination of these should be 4 points easily.

[heo luoi 206]

There are special requirements if your I-94 has a status code.

I assume the K1 does not constitute one of their specific 'status codes' or require any 'special requirements'

Yea I know you looked it up, just saying.

NY does seem weird, everyone has to get a learner permit or is it just some probationary thing. anyways seems like a better site than others...and they support alot of foreigner with other languages. The local offices are best able to serve you they are usually pretty helpful when aren't busy or when they seem to work at a snails pace.

Edited September 24, 2015 by coldhands

[happiness268 14]

I think it is important that I update this post.

I went today to get my learner's permit in Manhattan office on 31st Street.

They took

- my passport with printed out 1-94

- my marriage certificate

- SSN Card

I just filed AoS documents two weeks ago and I am yet to get my NOA1 hardcopy.

They gave my two months with my learner's permit beyond my 1-94 expiration date.

[catlover31 8]

I also was at the Manhattan DMV today and I saw that they accepted EADs.

[mhavermans 2]

I think it is important that I update this post.

I went today to get my learner's permit in Manhattan office on 31st Street.

They took

- my passport with printed out 1-94

- my marriage certificate

- SSN Card

I just filed AoS documents two weeks ago and I am yet to get my NOA1 hardcopy.

They gave my two months with my learner's permit beyond my 1-94 expiration date.

Hi there!

So I am having troubles getting some paperwork done, and I was considering getting my DL in NYC too.

What I'm wondering is: Your learners permit is valid up until expiration date i94 +2months. Are you sure that when you do the road test, you will have a valid DL, which isn't going to expire on the expiration date of the i94?

My HB reads the DMV website & some posts made here on visajourney as:

- You get a learners permit which expires on the date of the i94

- If before this date, you will do the road test, pass, and get your DL, it will also expire on the day the i94 expires, leaving you with no DL at all till you try again after receiving your Green Card.

Regards,

Maarten

[happiness268 14]

Hey,

I should have updated. So the expiration on my interim learner's permit (paper version) was two months.

However, I got my actual physical learner's permit in the mail -- It has two expiration dates. -- One for the temp. visitor - for a year and another for the learner's permit - four years.

I went to the mandatory five hour driving class. They said that whether I get my driver's license or not I will have to go into DMV when I get my EAD or Green Card to get the further expansion beyond the year given.

So the learner's permit doesn't expire with the I94. I got a year before it needs to be updated.

I hope that helps.

Hi there!

So I am having troubles getting some paperwork done, and I was considering getting my DL in NYC too.

What I'm wondering is: Your learners permit is valid up until expiration date i94 +2months. Are you sure that when you do the road test, you will have a valid DL, which isn't going to expire on the expiration date of the i94?

My HB reads the DMV website & some posts made here on visajourney as:

- You get a learners permit which expires on the date of the i94

- If before this date, you will do the road test, pass, and get your DL, it will also expire on the day the i94 expires, leaving you with no DL at all till you try again after receiving your Green Card.

Regards,

Maarten

[gimbaless 0]

This is the law of the land !!! Make our government follow the LAW !!!

https://www.dhs.gov/...id-act-text.pdf

The Real ID Act says for lawful status:

( B ) EVIDENCE OF LAWFUL STATUS- A State shall require, before issuing a driver's license or identification card to a person, valid documentary evidence that the person--

(i) is a citizen or national of the United States;

...

(v) has a valid, unexpired nonimmigrant visa or nonimmigrant visa status for entry into the United States;.

...

(ix) has a pending application for adjustment of status to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States or conditional permanent resident status in the United States.

NOTICE THAT IT SAYS "PENDING APPLICATION"

The Real ID Act says for lawful status expiration date:

( C ) TEMPORARY DRIVERS' LICENSES AND IDENTIFICATION CARDS-

(i) IN GENERAL- If a person presents evidence under any of clauses (v) through (ix) of subparagraph (B), the State may only issue a temporary driver's license or temporary identification card to the person.

(ii) EXPIRATION DATE- A temporary driver's license or temporary identification card issued pursuant to this subparagraph shall be valid only during the period of time of the applicant's authorized stay in the United States or, if there is no definite end to the period of authorized stay, a period of one year.

This is the law of the land !!! Make our government follow the LAW !!!

https://www.dhs.gov/...id-act-text.pdf