Illinois driver's license requires greencard???
Andrew
Went to my local DMV in Illinois this morning, waited patiently for
around half an hour and after getting called to the counter, waited
another half an hour for the staff to tell me that I cannot get my
driver's license without a greencard!!!
I came over on a K1 visa, was married two weeks ago (we're getting the
AOS stuff together now) and my social security card came through just
the other week. I thought I was all set to get my driver's license - I
had my SS card, passport, I-94, birth certificate, bills to my new
home, my Australian driver's license and I brought the marriage
certificate just in case. Wrong! They kept looking at the cancelled
visas (the consulate cancelled them when I got my K1), the expiry date
on the I-94 (which is in mid January) and the annotation on the SS
card (requires INS work authorization to work) and apparently even
'checked with Springfield'. All they could say was "We need to see
your greencard to show that you are staying here legally". They did
acknowledge that they didn't have a clue what a K1 visa was, which I
guess is hardly surprising.
Is this true? I can't get my IL driver's license without having a
greencard? I sure hope the Chicago INS office operates with blinding
speed, otherwise I'll be waiting for an IL driver's license for months
or years! (I assume a conditional greencard would be sufficient for
the DMV???)
Cheers,
Andrew
Denis Barlow
I can't comment on Illinois but here in Arizona they gave me a drivers
license on the basis of my SS Card and I-94 but it was only valid
until the I-94 expiry date. When I asked about what I needed to renew
it I was told I needed to produce an EAD. Sure enough, when I applied
to renew it and showed them my EAD they renewed it until the expiry
date on the EAD. If they made you wait until you had a green card here
in Arizona I would still be two years away (at least) from my drivers
license! I believe that the EAD is acceptable evidence of your
legality as should the I-94 be.
Denis
Denis
______________________________________________
I wonder how much deeper the ocean would be without sponges.
abba48uk
Sounds like a load of old cobblers to me. Some of these offices just
dont have a clue. Sure Illinois requires the production of a SSN
(since the instruction is ..........dont issue a ssn for d/l
purposes...its all a bit catch 22) However, since you have your ssn, my
understanding is that you CAN apply for a d/l. Which office did you
use?....I would be inclined to try another and if that doesnt work,
speak to your congressman's liason office.
--
Posted via http://britishexpats.com
Rob
As I recall you came from Australia. I've just arrived from Australia and
I'm wondering what testing you had to pass to get the license.
Rob :-)))
"Denis Barlow" <exsubmarine...@arizona.com> wrote in message
news:esgquu835t2fp71rv...@4ax.com...
Denis Barlow
Not quite Australia, I came from just outside London!
I'm not sure it would make any difference anyway as I had to take both
a written (multi choice) test and a practical (parallel parking
followed by a 1/4 mile drive round the block (no left turns!)) test.
Certainly much easier than the UK one.
HTH
Denis
abba48uk
Andrew,
Try this website:
My Brit had some good advice about contacting the Congressman who
represents your district. They all have liaision people who do nothing
but deal with INS issues.
Personally, the idea that a Social Security card is necessary for obtain
any state driver's license is just hogwash, as SS# should ONLY deal with
obtaining work, the two should NOT be tied together.
Wishing you GOOD LUCK!
Please let us know how this turns out....also...what area of the state
are you residing?
Abba's US Fiancee
steggy
Here in Arizona you just need (on a K-1 visa also) to show
your passport and drivers license. Not sure about the SSN,
but the EAD is helpful. Take a written test, a small driving
test and there you go. I have the feeling they are screwing
up at the Illinois MVD.
steg
Rete
They may or may not be screwing him in Illinois. ;-)
He has the option of trying a different DMV office and/or asking to
speak with a supervisor about this. One thing that must be remembered
is that since September 11, 2001, procedures have changed for obtaining
driver's licenses in most of the States. There are more strigent rules
in place as to what visas are acceptable in light of the terrorists
having been able to walk in and out of various DMV's with licenses which
can be used as identification documents.
Rete
Originally posted by Steggy
--
Posted via http://britishexpats.com
steggy
does he need more??
steg
Andy Platt
only one of many INS documents accepted:
http://www.sos.state.il.us/departments/drivers/acceptable_id.html
I would print that out and have it with you when you go back.
Andy.
--
I'm not really here - it's just your warped imagination.
"Andrew" <Tekt...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:5d2eb2f0.02120...@posting.google.com...
Bellsouth Customer
Most DMVs will accept the EAD and a SSN if they do not expire soon. Most
DMVs assume that the AOS interview comes within the one year of a valid EAD.
This is to stop INS applicants who are denied a greencard from getting a DL
at the last minute before their EAD expires. Its a 9/11 rule that was added
to many state DMVs.
Otherwise you may have to keep trying until you get a DMV worker that
doesn't have his/her head up their "you know what".
"Andy Platt" <a...@turnip.his.com> wrote in message
news:3dedf0b0$1...@vienna7.his.com...
stevelisaw
This past May Steve was in renewing plates for our work vehicle, while
there the woman told him he could renew his Ohio driver's license that
wasn't due to be renewed till July. So he said sure go ahead, only to
find out he needed his GC to renew it. He didn't have one with him
because his conditional one expired, his 10 had been approved all he had
was a stamp in his passport that he didn't carry with him. (I got to say
I told you so on this one, I had said maybe it would be a good idea to
carry it with him until his 10 year card arrived in the mail.) So he had
to return with his passport to renew his license. The lady at the DMV
told him in light of 9/11 they were no longer allowed to renew them
without a valid GC or EAD.
abba48uk
My fiancee posted the appropriate website which is an Illinois State
website. 4 forms of id are required, one from each of 4 groups.
Probably the easiest combination for a K1 to present is something like
..I-94 (in the passposrt)
Birth Certificate
Social Security card
Utility bill.
(Other States have different requirements)
Since 9/11 soc sec offices have been instructed NOT to issue ssn's
purely for d/l purposes. THAT is the only change in Illinois, and a
significant one. Since ssn's are, as we all know, only issued by the
Soc Sec offices when they can confirm your "residency by the INS (and
by that I mean confirmed on the basis of your K1 entry being recorded
on their computer files) the office can hardly say you are not a
"resident ".
So............they ARE screwing up.
Rete
Originally posted by Steggy
> does he need more??
>
> steg
>
>
Proof that he is a pending Permanent Resident. After all just having a
K-1 means you are allowed to marry, but is good for only 90 days. I
recall many posts from people who married after the K-1 but for varying
reasons didn't file for AOS for months or years afterward. Once the
K-1 expired they didn't have any legal status in the US. Usually a
valid EAD will serve the purpose for some DMV's as your proof of
pending status.
Rete
sfm
Would there be a problem with you getting an international driver license?
k
license. please take a look at the following website from the state of
illinois. you need to present 1 document from each of the four
categories (A,B,C,D) listed.
http://www.sos.state.il.us/departments/drivers/acceptable_id.html
i suggest that you print this page out and go to different department
of motor vehicle's office. remember when dealing with bureacray ALWAYS
go prepared and armed with the relevant info. don't assume that the
people you have to deal with know or care what a K1 visa is. all they
want to know is what the "rules" are and if they are being followed.
if they still give you a hard time at the new DMV office that you
visit, ask to speak with a supervisor.
PS. my fiance (now husband) got an illinois license soon after his
arrival with no problems.
Tekt...@aol.com (Andrew) wrote in message news:<5d2eb2f0.02120...@posting.google.com>...
Margaret
certificate because the last name is different on all the other
documents, proof of residency and get this a driving clearance record
from Ontario. I tried to get around this part by telling the woman at
DMV that my husband's car insurance company State Farm approved me for
insurance under my Ontario driver's licence, so that meant they had to
check for a driving clearance first. Well that didn't work, so I sent
off for my clearance back in Ontario (cost me $18 for a certified
copy) and just received it a couple of days ago. Actually was pretty
fast. Six days total. So now this week I go and write the test and if
successful arrange for an examiner to test me on my driving skills.
Yeesh and Idaho borders with Alberta. How much closer to Canada can
you get?
Interesting on how the DMVs differ from state to state.
Jacqueline Bergstedt
permit) and state ID two weeks ago in Chicagoland. I took the same
paperwork as you, and had no problems whatsoever. Try another office, or
contact your congressman's office.
Regards, Jacqueline
Andrew <Tekt...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:5d2eb2f0.02120...@posting.google.com...
tara
Originally posted by Rob
>
> As I recall you came from Australia. I've just arrived from
> Australia and
> I'm wondering what testing you had to pass to get the license.
>
> Rob :-)))
Many states use a computerized testing system. You can practice here:
http://www.driverstest.net/
steggy
done. Getting a bit woriied here, because I need to get my
drivers license, and my EAD is expirng in a few days. Guess
I will hurry to INS.........
--
steg
steggy
>
>
> Would there be a problem with you getting an international driver license?
I for one have an International Drives License. The problem
is the insurance company demands an Arizona license in my
case. And that means: written test (thanks for the URL Tara:
http://www.driverstest.net/) and a driving test in this
state. Because I am from a foreign country.
--
steg
Cyborg2305
I read the link to the site that has req docs for IL DL. It says you
need a doc from A,B,C,D. I think that should be good enough. Just make
a print out and go back. I might also suggest going to a bigger office
preferably in Chicago. Usually the DMV offices in Big Cities are more
well versed in reqirements for Non-US Citizens. I am sure they get a
lot of people in the same situation as you.
Here in Texas, they did not ask for anything. I got my GC stamp in my
passport from the INS 4 weeks back. My Driver License expired 2 weeeks
after that. I just went in 2 days after my license expired. I just
handed my old one and five minutes later, I got my new license(paper).
Card comes in mail. They do ask you 6 questions, the first one being-
Are u a US Citizen? But the follow up is If Yes, would you like to
register to vote, NOT can you prove you legal status here? Personally
I thought, post 9/11 that would have changed. But then again in Texas,
immigrant issues are considered sacred by politicians to some extent.
abba48uk
Sorry to say, but the International Driver's License is NOT recognized
by Illinois. A valid Brit D/L (the newer type with a pic) is valid for
90 days. Please see your specific state's regulations concerning this.
Good Luck!!
Andrew
I'll keep everyone updated about any developments :) I applied in
Rockford btw. It'll probably be a bit of a drive to the next closest
DMV!
Cheers,
Andrew
abba48uk <mem...@britishexpats.com> wrote in message news:<577785.1...@britishexpats.com>...
Andrew
them in large print and they STILL didn't like it. We're still working
on the AOS paperwork (a few more to go) and I suspect that an EAD may
have changed their mind. They did take it to the supervisor and she
didn't know - that's why they called another office.
As someone else pointed out, they have changed the SSN rules recently
so that I had to wait a month for an INS check to be completed. I
explained this at least twice to the guy behind the counter and he
still ummed and ahhed and had to check with his supervisor (who say I
couldn't get it).
*shrug*
Andrew
kei...@midway.uchicago.edu (k) wrote in message news:<3e6abac1.02120...@posting.google.com>...
k
of Chicago where they are accustomed to dealing with a lot of immigrants
with different types of visas, etc.
SecretGarden
Originally posted by Andrew
>
> I'll keep everyone updated about any developments :) I applied in
> Rockford btw. It'll probably be a bit of a drive to the next closest
> DMV!
>
> Cheers,
> Andrew
>
> > Andrew,
> >
> > Try this website:
> >
> > http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/"]www.cyberdriveillinoi-
> s.com[/url]
> >
> > My Brit had some good advice about contacting the Congressman
> who
> > represents your district. They all have liaision people who do
> nothing
> > but deal with INS issues.
> >
> > Personally, the idea that a Social Security card is necessary
> for obtain
> > any state driver's license is just hogwash, as SS# should ONLY
> deal with
> > obtaining work, the two should NOT be tied together.
> >
> > Wishing you GOOD LUCK!
> >
> > Please let us know how this turns out....also...what area of the
> state
> > are you residing?
> >
> > Abba's US Fiancee
OMG, Andrew! I *live* in Rockford! Did you go to the Auburn Street DMV
or the East State Street one? (I'm guessing Auburn.....?) Wow, wish I
had known you were coming, could have stopped and said hi! :)
~SecretGarden
mrtravel
In Illinois, this is the branch that handles DLs.
She confirms there is NO requirement for PR status to get a license.
She also wanted to know who I was since it has been awhile since I
talked to her.
I don't speak to her sister (my mother) at all.
What did that supervisor say about the poster on the wall?
Andrew
I went to the Auburn Street DMV. They had never seen a K-1 before and
despite me waving all the required papers in their face (including
bills, health insurance etc with my name and address here on them),
they said that they could not issue the license without seeing a GC.
Latest on this is that I have written the secretary of state and have
heard nothing back yet. We lodged our AOS paperwork a few weeks ago
and last week received the US post card in the mail - so we know
Chicago has our paperwork, but they haven't cashed the checks yet. I'm
getting a bit anxious now because I'm pretty sure I won't get my EAD
within the next month and this is something that the DMV said _may_ be
acceptable instead of a greencard. My I-94 expires in about 3 weeks,
so technically I need to have my driver's license before then.
Do you know if the East State St office has any more clue about this?
Cheers,
Andrew
Bellsouth Customer
http://www.sos.state.il.us/departments/drivers/acceptable_id.html
"Andrew" <Tekt...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:5d2eb2f0.02123...@posting.google.com...
KKWATERMAN
Before my husband (from England) could get a driver's license, he had to show
proof of a SSN.
In order to get a SSN, he had to show proof that he was eligible and needed for
one, ie he had to show the SS office his Employment Authorization card from the
Dept. of Justice which indicated that since he was authorized for work, he did
in fact need a SSN.
Of course, once we finally got his Employment Authorization card, the SS office
could not simply print us a number on the spot. They were able to give us a
letter stating that he was in the processing of getting one. Fortuntely for
us, the DMV worker who asisted us was familiar with this process and was able
to take it to her manager who approved it, even though my husband techincally
didn't have a SSN yet.
Andrew
card too and all the evidence listed on that web page.
"Bellsouth Customer" <sirf...@bellsouth.net> wrote in message news:<1a2Q9.3826$us1....@news.bellsouth.net>...
mrtravel
Andrew wrote:
>
> As I wrote in the original message, I _have_ an SSN - I've got my SSN
> card too and all the evidence listed on that web page.
They are wrong. The State of Illinois has no greencard requirement for a
driver's license.
In fact, several of the University web sites tell foreign students they
need a SS card.
If a student visa holder can get one, a fiance viaa holder should be
able to.