drivers license in CA for a K1 visa

[mudd]

anybody know the process of getting a drivers license for a person here on a K1 visa? or does the state make you get the social security # first before they will give you a license. i know the state doesnt want illegals driving here, but with a visa, how does it work?

[Bob S]

... in response to drivers license in CA for a K1 visa, posted by mudd on Apr 29, 2003

Okay, I did this once before, so here's the low-down:

We went to the DMV and they said she needed a SSN.  So we went to the SSN office.  They said they were not issuing SSN's for anyone who was not legal to work yet (my then fiancee, now ex, did not have her work permit yet), so they gave us a sheet of paper to take back to the DMV.  The DMV THEN allowed her to get basically a learner's permit and schedule for a driving test.

[Ray]

... in response to drivers license in CA for a K1 visa, posted by mudd on Apr 29, 2003

She will need a SSN before she applies for a license. They usually require the name on the Social Security Card to match the name on the Passport. The DMV did not like the fact that my wife’s card didn’t have her middle name on it. They told her that they will not issue the permanent license until she changes the Social Security Card, but they never did follow through on that threat. She should be able to get a SSN while her K-1 visa is valid and before she applies for AOS. After the 90-day K-1 visa period, she will have to apply for AOS and receive an EAD card (employment authorization) before she can get the SSN.

She will also need to prove that she is in the country legally. A K-1 visa holder is here legally so she should be O.K. A passport with I-94 or an EAD card will be accepted as proof.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.htm#2500

Does she have a valid license from another country?

Ray

[Humabdos]

... in response to Re: drivers license in CA for a K1 visa, posted by Ray on Apr 29, 2003

All we needed was the marriage license,one letter addressed to me at our home address and my passport.After I passed the written test,i got my learner's permit.
Even if we haven't married yet,all you need here is your passport and a letter addressed to your home address with your name on it.I guess each State is different.

Sallie

[Ray]

... in response to not in Oregon, posted by Humabdos on Apr 30, 2003

Hi Sallie,

How do you like Oregon so far? Don't worry, the hot weather is coming soon.

Congratulations on passing the written test! Did you make it on the first try? Who will teach you to drive?

Yes, all states are different and they all have their own requirements for driver's licenses. But when you get your license in Oregon, we will let you drive with it in California (or Florida). That requirement in Oregon that you have a letter addressed to you at your home address made me laugh so hard I almost choked. I see a new Internet business opportunity here... :-)

Good luck and happy driving...

Ray

[Humabdos]

... in response to Re: not in Oregon, posted by Ray on Apr 30, 2003

Hi Ray!

Hum is my teacher in driving:-)he's really a very good teacher...no strings attached.He doesn't yell...lol

Sallie

[Ray]

... in response to Re: Re: not in Oregon, posted by Humabdos on Apr 30, 2003

Hum has the patience to teach you to drive Sallie??? Wow! I never would have thought... But does he have a couple of drinks first and keep one hand on the parking brake handle while you're driving? :-)

Language can be a problem sometimes also during driving lessons. When my wife was about to run over a pedestrian, I instinctively shouted "WHOA!", but she kept right on going. After I finally got her to stop, she calmly asked me "what does ‘WHOA’ mean?" I almost died laughing.

I think the secret to teaching a woman to drive is to use an old beat up car. Just let her crash it a few times to get the feel of it, then she'll be O.K. :-)

Ray

[Nathan]

... in response to Re: not in Oregon, posted by Ray on Apr 30, 2003

It is quite easy for illegals to get a license in Oregon.
Mindless political correctness is the rule in Oregon, one of the most poorly run states in the US.

[Humabdos]

... in response to not in Oregon, posted by Nathan on Apr 30, 2003

Yea we got a f-ing wet back Mexican here in the Oregon State prison on death row he's whining about having to wait in line like everyone else to get a kidney transplant! I can f-ing belive it! We are busting at the seams with illegals! Every time I'm at the store I have to wait behind some pregnant illegal with six kids in tow while she pays with food stamps.

The only good thing about it for me is I love Mexican food! Sarap sarap!

Humabdos

[Jeff S]

... in response to Re: not in Oregon, posted by Ray on Apr 30, 2003

[This message has been edited by Jeff S]

I was thinking the same thing. Do you have any idea how many Mexicans would pay many dollars for that piece of paper?

- Jeff

[Ray]

... in response to Re: Re: not in Oregon, posted by Jeff S on Apr 30, 2003

ROFLMGDAOTNTPIMGDP!

How about a letter for two dollars? Is that a good deal?

***Official proof of residence for driver's license applicants. Just mail in your payment with a self-addressed-stamped-envelope and we'll send your letter out the same day. For Spanish letters, please include an extra buck.***

Ray

[mudd]

... in response to Re: drivers license in CA for a K1 visa, posted by Ray on Apr 29, 2003

she did, but it was expired and she didnt bring it with her.

[Jimbo]

... in response to Re: Re: drivers license in CA for a K1 v..., posted by mudd on Apr 29, 2003

mudd,

The expired license, along with a driving history from the RP, can save you a lot on the insurance money.  Without it the insurance company will consider her an inexperienced driver and charge at the maximum rates.

Sally's first year of driving in Massachusetts, without having a driving history from the RP, cost $1550 for minimal coverage on an old Honda.  The next year, with proof of three years incident-free driving from the RP, the bill was $497.  Not a bad savings for the trouble of having her brother grease the palm of some official in Manila :-)

Jim

[Ray]

... in response to Re: Re: drivers license in CA for a K1 v..., posted by mudd on Apr 29, 2003

She will have to take the written test when she applies for a license. You should stop by a DMV office and pick up a driver's handbook so she can start studying. Don't let her get depressed if she fails it the first time because most people do. They also have the written test in a bunch of different languages. If she passes the written test, she will get a learner's permit to practice. Are you going to teach her yourself??? She gets 3 tries at the road test and even then she can pay another $12 and take it another 3 times, etc... They don't like to pass them on the first try (job security).

My wife had a license from the Philippines when she came here, so the DMV gave her a temporary license after she passed the written exam. Then she had to take the road test to get the permanent license.

Ray